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Monday, August 29, 2011

Minnesota, George G. Morgan and the Rough Riders


Labor Day weekend is fast approaching and vacation plans are in place. I am preparing for a trip to Minnesota to spend a long weekend on Lake Mille Lacs with Chuck's family. While the family is busy playing cards, corn toss and cruising the lake I plan on kicking back with my fully loaded Kindle.

I hope everyone has a great weekend, but if you decide to do some research, here are this week's tips, with a Minnesota twist.

Sunday August 28
* Have an Minnesota Ancestor with a 'checkered' past? The Minnesota Historical Society can help you access their prison records.
* To obtain information about Prison Records visit: The Minnesota Historical Society

Monday August 29
* South Dakota was a part of Minnesota until Minnesota became a state in 1858.

Tuesday August 30
* Cemetery Tip - Once you find an ancestor's grave it is important to record everyone in the family plot whether you think they are related or not.
* Record the names of the graves near by - sisters, brothers, or cousins may have bought plots near each other.

Wednesday August 31
* Looking for an out of print book? Check the following sites:
* Amazon.com
* Abesbook.com
* Alibris
* World Cat

Thursday September 1
* A Brief History of the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry - aka Rough Riders. The site contains a rooster, biographies and more.
* Visit: The Rough Riders Website
* The Rough Riders - A Public Domain Book

Friday September 2
* Genealogy Books - Quicksheet Citing Online Historical Resources - Elizabeth Shown Mills

Saturday September 3
* Attend a State or Local Genealogy Conference!
* Minnesota Genealogical Society Presents the 4th Annual North Star Conference Featuring: George G. Morgan, International Speaker, half of the Genealogy Guys Podcast and author of How to Do Everything: Genealogy and the first two editions of The Official Guide to Ancestry


The picture below is Chuck and his younger brother Billy with some fish they caught! I hope everyone has a safe Labor Day weekend!

Take Care,
Pattie


Saturday, August 27, 2011

Sunday's Obituary - Edith Caroline Gull Maki


Daily Globe - July 12 1997
RAMSAY — Edith Caroline Maki, 83, of Wood Street, Ramsay, died Fnday, July 11, 1997, at her home in Ramsay.

The former Edith C. Gull was born May 14, 1914 at Toivola, Mich., daughter of the late Wilhelm and Hilja (Johnson) Gull. She attended school at Beacon
Hill, Mich. She was married to Waino "Barney" Maki in 1940.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Elizabeth Shore, a sister. Hazel Walters; and a brother, Kenneth Keturi.

Survivors include her husband, Barney; five sons, Wayne Maki of Fort Oranpe, Fla., William (Marilyn) Maki of Ramsay, John Maki of Ramsay, James Maki of Allendale, Fla., and Edward (Jackie) Maki of St. Louis, Mo.; 13 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Hubert and Lawrence; five sisters, Ethel, Judy, Bernice, Faye, and Sharon, and numerous nieces and nephews

At Edith's request, there will be no visitation or funeral service. Cremation has taken place. The Frick-Ziehnski Funeral Home, Bessemer, is in charge of the arrangements.


This picture is of the "Gull Girls". Edie, Ethel and Elvira's (aka Judy) father died in January 1919. Their mother, Hilia married Isaac Keteri in December 1919.

__________________________________

Other newspaper articles found documenting Edith Maki's life.

The Bessemer Pick and Axe - June 6 1974
A.A.A.T. and Mrs. Edward Maki and daughter Kerry are visiting with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Barney Maki and her mother Mrs. Genevive Schultz.

A.A.A.T. Maki is serving in the U.S. Navy and is stationed at N.A.S. Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Florida.


The Bessemer Pick and Axe - August 29 1974
Mr. and Mrs. Waino (Barney) Maki have returned from a week's trip to
Grand Rapids, Minn, and Casper, Wyo. where they visited Mrs. Maki's sisters
and brothers.


The Bessemer Pick and Axe - January 1, 1975
Mr. Ralph Warren has returned to Fruita, Colorado after visiting with Barney and Edie Maki and their family.


The Bessemer Pick and Axe - April 5 1976
Barney and Edie Maki, Port Orange, Florida, are visiting their sons John and William and family.

Another son, Edward, who is stationed at Cecil Field, Florida, in the U.S. Navy, and his guest, Richie Threlkeld, accompanied the Makis on the trip.

The Bessemer Pick and Axe - April 26, 1976
Mr. and Mrs. Donald Taskala of Negaunee visited with Mr. and Mrs. Barney Maki and with friends in Newport Location,

Thursday, August 25, 2011

BlogTalkRadio - Check it out!


I just wanted to point out a new 'gadget' on this blog - BlogTalkRadio!


"MySociety" is presented by the Federation of Genealogical Societies. Each week nationally known genealogy speakers tackle subjects that challenge local societies.

MySociety airs LIVE every Saturday at 1:00 pm Central and if you miss an episode you can either download it to your favorite device or listen to it online.

And There Is More!

A quick search on the site just brought up 374 genealogy podcasts.

Visit BlogTalkRadio to check out Featured Internet Radio Programs.

Did I mention that you can even create your own TALK SHOW!

Take Care,
Pattie



Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Free Software, Acts of Kindness and Cyndi's List


How did they do it? Our ancestors lived through tornadoes, blizzards, hurricanes and earthquakes without the benefit of Doppler Weather and early warning systems.

While doing research on births, deaths and marriages be sure to think about how the weather might have affected your ancestor's life. Was your great grandmother born in Upper Michigan in February? How would that have affected a midwife from helping with the birth?

I have such great admiration for the Florida pioneers. Between the snakes, bugs and alligators the sweltering heat and humidity may have been only a minor inconvenience! But how many people died due to the harsh conditions and wildlife?

Sunday August 21
* Hawaii became a state on this date in 1959
* Hawaii's State Archives holds a variety of vital records from 1832-1949
* Visit: http://hawaii.gov/dags/archives


Monday August 22
* Genealogy Blogs can help researchers learn more about a specific locale, ethnic group or general research.
* Visit Cyndi's List for biggest list of Genealogy Blogs around! http://www.cyndislist.com

Tuesday August 23
* Researching in Chicago? Consider The Czech and Slovak American Genealogical Society.
* Visit The Czech & Slovak American Genealogy Society of Illinois: http://www.csagsi.org/

Wednesday August 24
* Genealogy Glossary:
* Cluster Genealogy A research technique to get a more complete picture of your family. In a cluster study, you document all of the members of your family, and their neighbors, friends, and business associates. This enables you to learn more because you pick up additional information from the records generated by the everybody rather than just a few relatives.

Thursday August 25
* Need an obituary from a library or a record from a court house in another state? Check out Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness.
* Visit RAOGK: http://www.raogk.org

Friday August 26
* Everyone loves free stuff! Check out this free Genealogy Software
* Family Tree Builder 5.1: http://www.myheritage.com/family-tree-builder
* Personal Ancestor File (PAF) - 5.2: http://www.familysearch.org/eng/paf/
* RootsMagic Free Trials: http://rootsmagic.com/Try/Default.aspx?
* Legacy 7.0 Family Tree: http://www.mytrees.com

Saturday August 27
* Shake your family tree and watch the nuts fall!

Take Cover or Care, whichever is appropriate!
Pattie

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Sunday's Obituary - Mary Schwemm Buehler


Daughter of Fred and Emma Rethmeier Schwemm
Married to August Buehler Sept 6, 1919 they divorced August 20, 1934


Barrington Courier Review - August 1934

Funeral services form Mrs. Mary Schwemm Buehler, aged 47, of Barrington
were held Monday afternoon at the funeral home on West Main Street and burial was in Evergreen Cemetery. The Rev Dore Ester, pastor of Salem Church officiated.

Mrs. Buehler died early last Friday at Sherman Hospital where she had become a patient on Tuesday. She had been ill for 18 months. Surviving are a sister, Mrs. Florence Pahlke; three brothers Frank and Clarence Schwemm of Barrington and Fred Schwemm of Hobart, IN.

She was born March 28, 1898 on a farm near Barrington, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schwemm. Her mother, with whom she lived on Dundee Road, died of injuries sustained in an automobile collision last July 29.


News Articles During the Years

Barrington Review - February 26, 1920
Messrs. George Schumacher, George Buehler and Frank Schwemm visited
Sunday with Mr. and Mrs.
August Buehler.

October 28, 1920 pg. 5
Miss Margaret Kamlager was a weekend guest at the August Buehler home
in Ela Township.

Barrington Review - August 18, 1921
Mrs. Fred Scheltz went home Sunday after spending two weeks with Mr. and Mrs. August Buehler

Barrington Review - August 9, 1928 pg 4
Mrs. Garret Kamlager of Garfield street spent Sunday at the August Buehler home south of town.

Barrington Review - January 22, 1932
Mrs. Mary Buehler and Mrs. Fred Sternberg of Arlington Heights and Mrs. and Mrs. Herbert Pingle of Palatine and Frank Schwemm visited Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schwemm Saturday night.


Thursday, August 18, 2011

Sick Day Research Tips - West Virginia, Maiden Names and Finnish Cemeteries

The dog days of summer are here and summer colds and illnesses can be brutal as I found out last week. I made good use of my time by reviewing my Grandmother Hilia Johnson Keteri's twelve sibling's family trees. I was able to find obituaries for many and even some engagement and wedding announcements.

I hope some of this week's tips help you flesh out your family research.

Sunday August 14
* Love old newspapers? Search over 13 million pages of NY newspapers at the Old Fulton New York Postcard Site.
* Visit: http://www.fultonhistory.com/

Monday August 15
* Getting Started in Finnish Research? The Finnish Genealogical Society has listing of Finnish cemeteries across the United States.
* Visit: http://www.genealogia.fi/haudat/index4e.htm

Tuesday August 16
* The state of West Virginia has digitized vital records and they are available online.
* Visit: www.wvculture.org/vrr

Wednesday August 17
* Looking for Native American Indian Records? Check out Joe Beine’s website “Genealogy Articles, Tips and Research Guides”.
* Visit: http://www.genealogybranches.com/nativeamericans.html

Thursday August 18
* When trying to find a maiden name be sure to search in the unusual sources. Check out the following possibilities:
* Baby or autograph books
* Cards from a wedding or baby shower
* Guest books from weddings or anniversary parties
* Old address books

Friday August 19
* National Aviation Day
* Researching an ancestor that was involved in aviation? Find great research links, virtual museums and more at the American Aviation Historical Society
* Visit: http://www.aahs-online.org/news.php

Saturday August 20
* World Vital Records has a number of free databases, but it is primarily a subscription site. Review the available sources or try a free trial membership.
* Visit: http://worldvitalrecords.com/


Here is a picture of my grandmother and eight of her siblings. We are so lucky that someone in the family actually identifed all the children.


Family of Elias and Anna Hallsten Johnson, Toivola, MI

Take Care,

Pattie

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Sunday's Obituary - James Mattila



James S. Mattila, Sr.
August 4, 2010
The Daily Mining Gazette

SUO DISTRICT - James S. Mattila, Sr., 92, a resident of the Suo District, passed away Friday afternoon, July 30, 2010, at his home following a lengthy illness.

He was born June 1, 1918, in Toivola, a son of the late Sam J. and Laura K. (Johnson) Mattila. He attended the Heikkinen School in Toivola.

On August 14, 1937, he was united in marriage to the former Bertha Maki. Since that time, he had made his home in the Suo District. On September 24, 2006, Bertha preceded him in death.

Mr. Mattila was a veteran, having served with the U.S. Army during WWII.
James operated his family farm and then worked for various contractors in the area doing carpentry work. In 1955, he partnered with his brother, Yalmer, to start Mattila Contracting which he helped to operate until his retirement in 1973.

Mr. Mattila was a member of the Tapiola Apostolic Lutheran Church, the Chassell VFW Post 6507, Carpenters Union Local 1510, along with various organizations in the area.

Jim enjoyed spending time outdoors hunting, fishing and trapping.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Bertha; parents; son, Carl; sisters, Beatrice and Bertha; brothers, Wesley, Walfred, Yalmer and two infant brothers; and a son-in-law, John Keranen.

Surviving are his children, James, Jr. (Karen) Mattila, Shirley Keranen, Robert (Betty) Mattila, Barbara Mattila, Carol (Gary) Johnson, Virginia (Paul) Luoma, Violet (James) Medhurst, Vivian (John) Grischke, Ruth (Thomas) Machrain, Michael (Vicky) Mattila, Vicky (Kenneth) Kline, Laura (Sam) Christoff; brothers, Alvin (Lydia) Mattila, Gordon (Marjorie) Mattila, Earl (Melanie) Mattila, Sanfred (Pat) Mattila, Leo (Marian) Mattila; sisters, Laura (Hiram) Mosley, Carol (Robert) Deede; sister-in-law, Margaret Mattila; 43 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; numerous great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services for James will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 7, 2010, at the Tapiola Apostolic Lutheran Church with Rev. Kenneth Storm and Rodney Johnson to officiate. Burial will be in the Toivola Cemetery where Chassell VFW Post 6507 will hold military rites.

Friends may call on Friday, August 6, 2010, from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Hancock and on Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of services at the church.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family suggests that memorials be given to the Tapiola Apostolic Lutheran Church, the Children's Miracle Network, or the charity of one's choice.

To view James' obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit memorialchapel.net.

The Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Hancock is assisting the family with the arrangements.





Mattila Stood For Much
August 21, 2010
The Daily Mining Gazette


To the editor:
A veteran died today - James S. Mattila, Sr., 92, July 30, 2010. When we look at the journey of our comrade, there are five priorities that stand out:
.
1. His loyalty to his God. He took the time to know his God and his pastors. He knew where his values were and professed his faith.

2. His loyalty to his country. He left his young family to serve in World War II in Italy as a ground soldier.

3. His young family, which he was anxious to get back to.

4. His work, in which he helped his brother start a company which gave work to many.

5. His community, which he supported as a good citizen.

"When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." - Proverbs 16: 7.

Jim came from a family of 15 who lost their mother when the last child was one year old in 1941, and yet, their father kept them together. Jim and eight brothers all served their country and came back. Jim and Bertha had 13 children of which 12 survived him. His father told him, 1. "To always be honest." 2. "Keep the Ten Commandments." 3. "Honor our Constitution, we did not have that in the old country."

Now he was not a perfect man, but a great man. There is a man.

Next Memorial Day, a flag will be placed on Jim's grave in Toivola along with the graves of some 6,000 other veterans in Houghton and Keweenaw counties to be remembered by some 4,000 veterans living here.

Rev. Elmer Liimatta,
State Chaplain, Veterans of Foreign Wars
Chassell


Mattilas to lead Parade of Thanks
May 14, 2009
By GARRETT NEESE, DMG Writer


HOUGHTON - Though shortened by construction, the Parade of Thanks will go on this year.

The annual parade, which recognizes the efforts of military veterans and those currently serving in the military, starts at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Citgo station in Hancock.

Due to construction, it will now end in Hancock by the Scott Hotel, not the Miners State Bank in Houghton as originally planned.

The parade will be followed by the Freedom Rally at the Copper Country Mall, starting at 1 p.m. The event will include awards presented to the grand marshals, Patriot of the Year and Junior Patriot of the Year, as well as musical performances by Tom Katalin and a choir headed by Annette Butina.

This year's grand marshals are the nine Mattila brothers of Toivola - James, Yalmer, Wesley, Gordon, Walfred, Alvin, Sanfred, Earl and Leo - all of whom served in the Armed Forces.

James, the oldest, served as an Army infantryman during World War II, once being stationed on the former farm of deposed Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.

Yalmer served stateside during World War II as a military policeman. Wesley, an Air Force member, was stationed in the South Pacific during World War II.

Gordon served in the Navy after the conclusion of World War II, working in a naval hospital whose patients included troops imprisoned by the Japanese.

Walfred served in the Navy and was part of atomic bomb testing on the Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

Alvin was stationed stateside for two years as an Army policeman in the 50s.

Sanfred traveled to 32 countries in his four years in the Navy, including a patrol ship off the coast of Korea during the Korean War.

Earl served in the Army and was trained in artillery and radar operations.

Leo, the youngest, served in the Army in the early 1960s. Had the Cuban Missile Crisis not been resolved, his company would have gone to Cuba.

Four of the nine brothers will not be there: Walfred, Yalmer and Wesley have died, while Alvin is staying home to take care of his wife, who is sick.

But all will be honored Saturday, said parade organizer Dennis Korby. "We're going to have the living brothers in their uniforms," he said. "We're going to have the empty chairs for the brothers that are no longer with us."

Korby found out about the brothers' story after coming across an old Gazette article about their history. He called the brothers "Copper Country treasures."
"I'll speak with someone outside of this area," he said. "Invariably, they're always shocked by this. You may hear of two or three brothers, but not nine. All nine."

Patriot of the Year is Kenneth Toth. The local pastor, who served in the Korean War, is known for his work with veterans, Korby said. When a soldier returned home last year, Toth organized the placing of American flags all the way from the airport parking lot to his home, interspersed with signs telling him what had gone on at home since he left.

Deanna Hillstrom, a student at Jeffers High School in Painesdale, was named Junior Patriot of the Year. Korby hopes to get her to read a poem she has written about the Mattila brothers, which he called "very passionate and well-written."
Hillstrom has two brothers serving in war zones, including Andrew Hillstrom, who is recovering from severe wounds suffered in action.

"She had something tugging at her heart at a very personal level," Korby said. "She had two brothers in harm's way. Maybe that explains her commitment to this whole thing. I can think of no one - absolutely no one - at her age more deserving of this award."

Included in the parade will be the Calumet High School volleyball team, who will hit red, white and blue volleyballs back and forth behind a "Champions Honoring Champions" banner.

Placed on every block during the parade will be barrels decorated with red, white and blue. These are for donations of items such as crayons, coloring books, erasers and hard candy for children in Afghanistan. Korby said they were the idea of Katie Sullivan, who had talked to the wife of a local soldier serving there.
"The little kids are caught in the middle of all the fighting," Korby said. "They're terrified, and they're poor. They beg for pencils, crayons, coloring books, markers. These are treasures to these children."

Korby said a DVD of the parade will be sent to troops serving overseas, and has also been requested by the White House.

"We're the most patriotic area in the country, bar none, and I think people are starting to take a second look at that," Korby said. "We have a chance to show that in the parade and the rally."

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Stay Cool This Summer Exploring Digital Records

There is an amazing epidemic happening around the country. Every week more and more counties, states and historical societies are receiving grant money for projects to digitize their records or newspapers. A few years ago I would be excited if a state or newspaper had a vital records index. Now that almost seems as old fashioned as visting a courthouse to get a copy of a birth certificate.

I have found myself spending hours on a newly digitized site filling in birth, marriage and death dates and then surfing to a local newspaper to pick up the associated news stories. Once I have the the date of death and obituary it is a quick trip to Findagrave.com to see if the person has a memorial. If there is no memorial I can create one and if it is I may be able to suggest additions.

I call these afternoons 'passive' genealogy research. It seems to easy, but it sure helps filling in all the folks I have accumulated doing 'sideways research'.

Sunday August 7
* Use ebay for genealogy research - Search on town names to find city directories, yearbooks, postcards and misc. town celebrations.
* If there was a local photographer, search on that name to find 'lost' family or local pictures.

Monday August 8
* The Arizona Memory Project has over 67,000 digital records.
* Visit: azmemory.lib.az.us

Tuesday August 9
* Tennessee State Library and Archives:
* Fact Sheets sheets for all counties-* Visit: www.tennessee.gov/tsla/Collections.htm Select -> County Records -> Genealogical Fact Sheets
* Digital Collections - some for the public and some for its residents - Visit: http://www.tn.gov/tsla/index.htm

Wednesday August 10
* Missouri became a state on this date in 1821
* Explore Missouri’s digital heritage with their online death certificate database. Visit: www.sos.mo.gov/mdh




Thursday August 11
* Check out the Maryland State Archives for vital records, land records, and online databases.
* Visit : http://www.msa.md.gov/

Friday August 12
* Library of Virginia - Virginia Memory Digital Collection
* Visit : http://www.virginiamemory.com/

Saturday August 13
* The Atlanta Historic Newspapers Archive has fully searchable newspapers from 1847 to 1922.
* Visit: http://atlnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu

So, stay out of the summer heat and rain and have fun surfing!

Take Care,
Pattie

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Sunday's Obituary - Edward 'Eddie' Maish

Son of Edward and Daisy Farnum Maish
Nephew of Sherman Maish


Waterloo Daily Courier - May 22 1936
CYCLIST KILLED ON HIGHWAY 30


E. E. Maish, 35, Cedar Rapids, Victim; Struck by Pair On Honeymoon

(Courier Special Service)
Vinton, la. E. E. Maish, 35, Cedar Rapids, was instantly killed about 9:30 p. m. Thursday, when the bicycle he was riding on highway 30, was struck by an automobile driven by Jerome Jameson, Los Angeles, Cal., on his honeymoon.

The accident occurred 18 miles west of Cedar Rapids. Maish and Jameson were both traveling east. Jameson told officers that he came over a hill and failed to see Maish, whose bicycle did not have a light, he said.

Maish suffered a skull fracture, broken neck and fractured ribs. His body was taken to Cedar Rapids. John Burrows, Benton county coroner, investigated the accident.


Cedar Rapids Tribune - May 22 1936
Bicyclist Killed By Auto

Eddie Maish, 30, operator pf the Hi Ho beer tavern at 419 2nd Ave. SE, was
killed Thursday night at 8:30 o'clock when a bicycle he was riding west of town on highway No. 30 was struck by a car bearing a California license. Maish's body was taken to Blairstown

The Oelwein Daily Register - May 22 1936
Honeymoon Trip Interrupted

Vinton Ia., May 22-UP- A honeymoon trip halted last night when their automobile struck and killed Ed. E. Maish, 33-year old Cedar Rapids Beer tavern operator was resumed today by Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Jameson of Los Angeles, California.

County Sheriff Leland Fry permitted the bridal couple to continue enroute to Debuque after an investigation disclosed that a bicycle on which Maish was riding at the time of the accident carried no light.

Before their recent marriage in Detroit, the bride was Miss Mildred C. Kannolt of that city.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Create a Genealogy Bucket List

I love Jack Nicholson movies. No one delivers the line "Here's Johnny!" like he did in The Shining. The other night I was channel surfing and came across Jack and Morgan Freeman in The Bucket List and it got me to thinking about my own bucket list... my Genealogy Bucket List.

My Genealogy Bucket List

What would be on your bucket list if you had unlimited resources or a time machine? While it is not complete, here are some of the ideas I had.

1. Travel to Sterbitz Germany, home of the Schwemm Family. While I would love to find all the birth and christening records what I would really like is to see Sterbitz and learn a bit about its history.

2. Organize a Keteri/Johnson Family Reunion. This is my mother's family and the majority live in Michigan and Minnesota. Since I am one of the older cousins there are many younger cousins I have not seen since they were young children or never met.

3. Track down the descendents of Gustav Blum's wife, Elsa. Gustav may have been my great grandmother's half sibling. Elsa was in an insane asylum when he killed their two children and himself. I would love to find out more about this tragic event and possibly some family photos.

4. Speak at a National Genealogy Conference. While I realize I have a lot of work to do to be considered for such a spot, it is on my bucket list.

5. Win a spot on Family Tree Magazine's top blog list.

6. Time Travel. If this becomes possible in my lifetime I would love an hour with Matilda Mueller Strunk Blum Schumacher. She may or may not be my great great grandmother. While I am fairly certain she was Gustav Blum's mother (see number 3) I have not been able to prove her relationship with Johanna Wilmeir Pahlke, my great grandmother. Johanna and Gus are referred to as half brother and sister, but I have nothing to prove the relationship. Plus, having been married 3 times, she probably has some great stories!

7. Research at the Salt Lake City library for a week. While I have been there before I find that just being there is inspiring and allows me to focus. I love libraries and that is the ultimate library!

Why Start a Bucket List?

I think atarting a Bucket List helped me focus on what I really want out of my genealogy. Sure, I would like to find every birth, death and marriage certificate for every relative but I would also like to connect with living cousins.

On a personal level I enjoy writing this blog and doing presentations so it is natural to want to kick it up a level or two. Listing it on my bucket list makes the goal more real.

So, sit down and do it - create your Genealogy Bucket List. It will help you focus and set goals for yourself and your research.

Take Care,
Pattie

Unknown Woman, Johanna Pahlke (standing) Florence Schwemm Pahlke sitting with son Newton Pahlke

Monday, August 1, 2011

Back to Basics - Vital Records, Census Research and More

Over the last couple of days a number of friends have asked how to start researching their ancestors. It can be hard to give an answer that is clear, concise and not too full of genealogy jargon. I hope this week's tips can help folks start their genealogical adventure.

Sunday July 31
* Searchable Casualty Lists for the Korean War can by found at the National Archives
* Visit: http://aad.archives.gov

Monday August 1
* Colorado became a state on this date in 1876
* The Colorado State Archives has online indexes including but not limited to WPA Employment files, Old Age Pensions and Probate files.
* Visit: http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/online.htm

Tuesday August 2
* Hawaiian birth, christening, death, burial and marriage records are available online at FamilySearch.
* Visit: https://www.familysearch.org/

Wednesday August 3
* Census Research - Have you looked in the census records but could not find them your ancestor? Here are some reasons why:
* They may have been out of town
* Or they may have been living with a friend or other family member
* Or their name may be badly misspelled. The accuracy of the spelling may have been influenced by their limited knowledge of English and the ability of the census taker to understand them. I often find "Schwemm" as "Swim"!

Thursday August 4
* Genealogy Glossary - Bounty Land - Land promised as an incentive for enlistment or payment for military services. Those that enlisted under this provision received a Bounty Land Warrant from the newly formed government after the war.

Friday August 5
* Genealogy Books: Locating Your Roots: Discover Your Ancestors Using Land Records Author: Patricia Law Hatcher



Locating Your Roots: Discover Your Ancestors Using Land Records

Saturday August 6
* Wondering if a county courthouse in Kentucky was destroyed? Check out the list of Kentucky Courthouse Disasters.
* Visit: http://kdla.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx
* Select -> Researchers -> County Courthouse Disasters in Kentucky

Hope these tips and links help in your research.

Take Care,
Pattie