Societies & Fraternal Organizations -- what can we learn about the women?

Fraternal organizations and societies, we know, can reveal something about our ancestors, their beliefs, interests, and activities. And in her article, "Conducting Research Through Societies and Fraternal Organizations," Judy Rosella Edwards provides background and explores the value of those organizations. One point the article makes, which I think is worth mentioning here at the end of Women's History Month, is how a typically patriarchal institution might help you learn more about a female ancestor. As the article observes, "Many member-based organizations are gender-based, but include an auxiliary for the opposite sex. Most of the older organizations are patriarchal and the auxiliary was for the ladies. Because of the auxiliary, this may be the only place where you'll learn much about a woman's life aside from being listed as spouse on a census." The article suggests ways to look for female ancestors within that context.

Using Google Scholar for Genealogy

As we all know, Google offers many, many services, some we might not know about or might not know how a particular relates to our own needs and interests. Gena Philibert-Ortega has presented several articles bring to light some of the Google advantages. Her latest article, "Using Google Scholar for Genealogy," suggests ways to find obscure books and articles that might related to your own family and enhance your research. 

Fee-based Genealogy

Every genealogist has a stash of nickels, dimes and quarters. You know what they're for: copies! In her article, "Fee-based Genealogy," Judy Rosella Edwards explores the practical side of being a working genealogist with a well-run business. Aimed at the professional genealogist, the importance of spreading the cost of the most seemingly insignificant costs is examined. 

Lexicons of Lost Lifestyles: From Ship to Shore

If you're having trouble "making ends meet" in this day and age, or if your finances are "touch and go," you might be amused and interested to know where those terms derive and, perhaps, take heart that at least you're facing these dilemmas on dry land. In her article, "Lexicons of Lost Lifestyles: Ship to Shore," Jean Wilcox Hibben explores the language of the ships at sea. Recognizing the meaning behind such sayings might also give us a greater appreciation for our seagoing ancestors and those who traveled by sea to a new land -- it wasn't all smooth sailing, to be sure . . . but they made it and we are here. There's a lesson in there somewhere. 

Love the Ladies, Searching for Female Ancestors

March is Women's History Month. In his article, "Love the Ladies," Kevin Cassidy explores the issue and offers ways of reseaching the elusive female ancestor, through the example of one New York family and tracking the multiple marriages of a female ancestor. 

The Colonial Period & Immigration

"The colonial period is often the period most researchers are trying to crack. The period leaves 150 years when families came to our shore, most of which were undocumented." In this second of a four-part discussion on Immigration History & the U.S., Alan Smith explores "The Colonial Period of Immigration," suggesting avenues and resources to consider.

Live Roots Gadget Now Available for Second Life

If you are a Second Life fan, here's some good news. Genealogy Today announced the release of a software gadget for residents in the Second Life (SL) virtual world. This new tool, called the Genealogy HUD, allows SL residents (also known as avatars) to seamlessly access many of the resources at LiveRoots.com from within the virtual reality environment. For additional details, visit, http://www.genealogytoday.com/info/pr/genealogy_hud.html

Virtual reality has been compared with genealogy for the way its participants connect at an emotional level; to read more about it, see our January 2007 entry, "I think therefore I am Uncle Charlie."

Finding Funeral Home Records

Another of those obscure sources that can provide rich information, the value of funeral home records cannot be denied, if you can gain access. In her article, "Finding Funeral Home Records," Gena Philbert-Ortega points out, many are no longer in existence and funeral homes are under no obligation to provide what information is available, so when you do find a funeral home of interest that does exist, approach them with great patience and all the manners mother taught.

Funeral home records can be an added bonus in researching 19th and 20th century ancestors. Funeral home records can provide genealogical information as well as information about the funeral itself.

12th Annual Computerized Genealogy Conference, March 13 & 14

Coming up next weekend. The 12th Annual Computerized Genealogy Conference at Brigham Young University is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14, 2009. This conference is designed to be a how-to guide for everyone—beginning, intermediate, and advanced researchers. The focus of the conference is to help everyone learn how new computer programs and advancements in existing programs can improve family history and genealogy work.

This is always a good conference for gaining up-to-the minute information on the latest technological advances. For more information and to register, visit http://ce.byu.edu/cw/cwcompu/registration.cfm. Curiously, the online registration deadline listed on this page is later than the conference itself, so we can't say what the online registration deadline is. But the page also lists other ways to register and provides links to the conference schedule, etc.

Survival Toolbox for Professional Genealogists

Genealogy is said to be the number one hobby or past time in the United States. The desire to connect with the past is sure to continue, even in a struggling economy. In her article, "Survival Toolbox for Professional Genealogists," Judy Rosella Edwards takes a refreshing look at how professional genealogists can weather hard times.