"Tracing Our Roots" Newsletter Archive (A monthly genealogy newsletter written by the late Brenda Kellow, dec'd, for the Plano Star Courier newspaper. We've included all the ones we could recover.)
HERITAGE QUEST.COM ONLINE: We have been waiting for HQ to come online with its vast resources and now they are partially up and running on the TexShare Database, a program of the Texas State Library. I have accessed it from home because I have a Plano Library card, which likewise entitles me to the password to use the file. I clicked on the library site at www.planolibrary.org, clicked on Online Research Databases, then clicked on TexShare Databases, entered the code and password, selected History and Genealogy, then finally Heritage Quest. Once there, you can research the census or books. I chose census. I searched for a particularly difficult ancestor. The census image that the name appeared on popped up as well as a post-it note. I became really excited until I read the note and found that it was one I had posted somewhere in my blurred genealogical past. It had my name on it and my e-mail address so fellow researchers can contact me. Attach a note to your family s census. What a great way for others searching the name to know that you are also searching.
The time lapse from the time the window opens until the image is displayed is about five seconds. It is full size and scrolling down is just as quick and painless as your word processor. You can download it or print it. If the name you are searching is on page B just click on the button for next page and it will pop up. I found this much easier than using the microfilm and not at all cumbersome like the Ancestry.com or Genealogy.com. We are going to enjoy using this database. It is superior to the others.
Currently online are census images and indexes for the 1790-1810, 1840, and 1870. HQ now includes 7,246 family histories, 8,637 local histories, and 167 primary sources. Everyone with a card from a participating library will be able to access this site from the comfort of his or her homes in the near future. Watch for updates in this column. HQ will update this site weekly.
Meanwhile, run, don t walk, to your nearest Plano library and get your library card today and pick up the password to the database so you can research from home. Readers from outside the metroplex, contact your library to see if they are subscribing to HeritageQuest/ProQuest Online.com.
More from HQ: HQ has compiled key census information from 1790 to 1930 into one simple Web site. You ll find this site easy to navigate and an excellent place to get your census questions answered. Bookmark this site today! www.heritagequest.com/html/feature31.html.
Genealogy Frauds: Story of Gustave Anjou, a forger who produced phony family trees for profit in the late 19th century at www.linkline.com/personal/xymox/fraud/fraud.htm.
QUERY: Augusta Griffin Slagle, 1926 Parkview, Duncan, Ok. 73533, Phone 1580-255-7751, e-mail address aandkslagle@cottoninternet.net is searching for information on Irvin Cornelius Griffin born 1867 in TN. A twin brother was James Avery Griffin; sister Ida E. Kendall of Rockwall, TX; half brother W. Frank McMasters born in TN lived in Texarkana, AR; and sister Ada McMasters Henderson who lived in Texarkana, AR. If you have any information on these people please contact Augusta Slagle at the above address.
QUERY: Edward Wright III, 5523 Greenbrier Dr., Dallas, TX 75209, phone 214-352-9676, e-mail ewright3@webtv.net is researching and writing the history of Weston, TX. Larkin ADAMSON, who migrated to Texas from his home of Weston, MO after the 1850 federal census, established Weston about 1851. Three local landowners named William Culwell, Richard Mugg and John Choate and their wives deeded about 21 acres for the formation of the new township in Northern Collin County in 1853. Wright would appreciate any knowledge of Weston, its settlers, contributions of pictures, written articles, or recollections would be sincerely appreciated.
Genealogy Frauds: Investigate the story of Gustave Anjou, a forger who produced phony family trees for profit in the late 19th century at www.linkline.com/personal/xymox/fraud/fraud.htm.
Brenda Kellow, dec'd, Certified Genealogist and Certified Genealogical Instructor, had a Bachelor s Degree in history and taught genealogy courses at the local Community College and computer genealogy at the University.
