Used Bookstores, Flea Markets and Libraries - Oh My!

Due to a recent job change I am thrilled to be working in downtown Tampa once again. As part of my daily walk at lunch I try to post an interesting picture on Facebook. While some folks on Facebook may be getting bored by the photos I am loving it!


Genealogy at Lunch

One of the first places I wanted to check out was the Old Tampa Book Company. When I worked downtown a few years ago I frequented the store and bought some great old biographies. While eBooks may be the rage, there is nothing as inviting as a used book store.

I made my way to the back of the store. Why? From my previous visits I knew this is where the history books were shelved. More precisely historical accounts of wars along with books divided by the regions of the United States.

I found books written about various military regiments, battles, county histories and memoirs. While none were books I could relate to my ancestors I am sure they would be a wealth of information for someone.

Back Away From The Computer

The reason I chose this topic for my blog is simple. Everything we need for our research is not on the Internet. We have to think outside of the Internet!

Does your town or a neighboring town have a used book store? a flea market? When was the last time you visited the library?

Whether you are staying close to home or going out of town on vacation check out the libraries, used book stores and flea markets. You never know what you may find.

Get out and enjoy the great weather, explore some local resources and maybe break down a few brickwalls.

Take Care,

Pattie



Quick Update on More Webinar Opportunities

I have been getting more and more invitations to attend genealogy based webinars so I wanted to start sharing these educational opportunities. Some are FREE only when attended live or free for a limited amount of time. So, if you see something you might be interested in, check it out!

Friends of the National Archives Southeastern Region

The webinars on this site are FREE if attended live. To view past webinars you must become a 'Friend' or 'Member' of the National Archives ($25 per year). The list of upcoming webinars includes:

• Records of the War of 1812
• Using U.S. Federal Records to Locate the Townland of Your Irish Ancestors
• Railroad Retirement Records & Records of the CCC
• Maritime Records
• From Bunker Hill to Koble
• Social Networking - New Horizons for Genealogists

Webinars in the "Members Only" section include:

• Using Federal Records Without Visiting the Castle
• Researching Records Relating to the Five Tribes of Oklahoma... made a little bit easier
• Using Civil War Records to Research African American Ancestors

Legacy Family Tree

The webinars from Legacy Family Tree are free when attended 'Live'. It appears past webinars can be viewed for up to 10 days. The one that caught my eye was by Thomas MacEntee titled "Navigating the 1940 U.S. census". It is free to view until March 19.


RootsMagic

I attended a webinar last night on RootsMagic version 5. While I am not promoting RootsMagic I was pleasantly surprised to find that they have a page of free webinars to help folks learn about their product and its features. Plus, they are FREE and it never hurts to shop around!

Take Care,

Pattie

Add LibraryThing To Your Genealogy Toolbox

In a previous blog I wrote about my granddaughter scanning my book collection into LibraryThing.com. My thought was it would be nice to catalog my books and it would keep Tori busy.
Today I discovered that LibraryThing is a great research tool.

Books, Books and More Books
I do a lot of research in Upper Michigan and there have been many histories compiled about early settlements, local remembrances and various community anniversaries.  The problem is if you do not know they exist it is hard to track them down.

Today on LibraryThing I did a search on "Upper Michigan" and hit the mother lode. Not only were there 84 results, but it allowed me to find who the folks were that had the books, if any would be willing to swap, what libraries had copies and which booksellers had copies.  WOW! A lot of information to digest.

So, if you have not explored LibraryThing, take a minute to do a search.

Take Care,
Pattie

Books, eBooks and LibraryThing

I wanted to share this blog entry that I wrote on my Family blog - Pack Peddler's Place

Books, eBooks and LibraryThing

Thanks,
Pattie

Sunday's Obituary - Hester Warren Usilton

Kendall County News - March 3, 1930


Hester E. Warren, daughter of Hamilton and Elizabeth Warren, was born January 15, 1843 at Chestertown, Kent County, Maryland and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Edward Comly at Plano, Illinois, Sunday, March 3, 1930 at the age of 87 years, 1 month 15 days.


She became the wife of Albert L. Usilton, November 25, 1865. To this union were born nine children, five of whom, Elmer E., May E, Albert, Vernon, and Eddie have preceded her in death. Two sons and two daughters mourn her passing. Warren Usilton of Madison, Wis., Harry Usilton and Mrs. Edward Comly of Plano, Ill., and Mrs. Evelyn Brown of Bellingham, Wash.

She is also survived by ten grandchildren and six great grandchildren. One brother, a sister and her husband have preceded her in death.


Mrs. Usilton became affiliated with the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at Plano, September 14, 1919. She was also a member of the King's Daughters Circle and took an active interest in our local organizations until failing health overtook her.

Mrs. Usilton has been a resident of Plano the past fifty six years. She was respected and loved by all who knew her. She took a great deal of pleasure in her family and loved nnnnn for nnnn nnn sacrificed and worked diligently.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 8 o'clock at the home of her son, Harry Usilton and at 8:30 at the Latter Day Saints Church. Elder J. M. Blakley officiating. Mrs. J. M. Blakely and son Marion sang "In the Garden", "Sister, Thou Art Gone" and "Going Down the Valley", accompanied at the piano by Mrs. Walter Sanderson. Burial was in the family lot at the Plano Cemetery.

Relatives from out-of-town who attended the funeral were Mrs. Alta Kipp, of Canton, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. Ray Ward, Walter Warren and daughter of Kankakee, Mr. and Mrs. Bert LaVoy and Mrs. Wm Warren of Aurora and Warren Usilton of Madison, Wis.

Genealogy, Google and UTube: Get On-Board!

While I was at RootsTech I attended a session by Devin Ashby entitled "YouTube Your Family History". It was a great session about putting together a family story using artifacts that you've collected and then publishing it on UTube. His video was on his ancestor Rachel Pass Davenport's trip from England to Utah.

I know that my granddaughter uses UTube frequently to answer questions about computer skills, cooking and more.  She probably uses UTube as much as I use Google. And even though I know there is a wealth of information on UTube it is not the first Search Engine I use.

Google + Genealogy = The Google Genealogist

During the presentation Devin also said that instead of flying around the country or the world to do his presentations on 'The Google Genealogist' he now uploads them to UTube.

A quick search on UTube for "Google Genealogist" reveals 6 presentations on how Genealogists can put the power of Google behind their searches. I just watched the first two and here are some highlights:

• Google now supports 'Voice' searches when using their Chrome brower.
• Images can be uploaded
• Google will find where else on the Internet they have been published
• Google will use facial recognititon to identify other images of that person
• Setting up Google Alerts
• Using various paramters while searching

To view all 6 videos go to UTube and search on Google Genealogist or use this link.

I personally think the voice search using Chrome is pretty cool!

Take Care,
Pattie



Family Search Adds Facebook Research Communities

Today while I was cruisng Facebook during lunch I came across a great new resource! 

Family Search has a page entitled "Join A Facebook Research Community". On this page are links to Ethnic Research Communities and North America communities among others all built in Facebook!

From a quick glance at the page this is a Pilot Program and each state, country or group that it links to in Facebook has varying degrees of content. There stated purpose is for people to be able to ask questions, collaborate and share knowedge.

Got a minute?  Check it out!

Take Care,
Pattie