"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.)
Always included as part of every good research plan is the preparation of a “Location List,” “Research Log,” and a “Surname Summary.” We use these as backup just in case we overload on incoming information or just have a memory loss. On my hard rive under Genealogy Surnames, I make folders for each of the above under the corresponding surnames. I then file them by revision dates, such as Rev 2 13 03.doc (Feb 13, 2003).
I believe in the importance of a Research Log so much so that I keep one going all the time. I have them on file from the 1980s. It helps in tracking my progress on a particular surname, reminds me of the status of correspondence, and jogs my memory as to what films I examined that were in good or terrible condition or only partially readable. The Surname Summary has all my surnames I am currently researching. I keep them in alphabetical order.
The Location Log is one that is easily made by the Legacy genealogy program, so all I have to do is select a radio button and print out exactly where everyone in my database can be found. It lists either by state or county in a specific state. With this on hand, I do not forget to search for a person in a particular place while I have a microfilm already loaded in the reader.
To be ready for unexplained surnames found living in the residential areas near your ancestors, anticipate this by making a folder or index tab called “Unrecognizable Surnames.” Place them in here and keep them for future research. Be sure to place a source for everything.
Without a research plan and proper record keeping, your genealogy research can become a jumble of collected information. Don’t allow this to happen by remembering to keep proper records and to “file it rather than pile it.”
LIBRARY LOCK-IN
Join your colleagues at the Harrington library this Friday for the quarterly genealogy lock-in from 6 to 11 p.m. The theme and the focus for this event is “The Basics, for Beginners.” You will have exclusive use of the library to attend various educational classes, receive training in research techniques and tools, research on your own or to ask questions of the experts and network with fellow researchers. You may also sign up for one on one consultation with a expert for guidance in developing an action plan. A $10 donation is requested per individual to research. An optional pizza supper, including soda and homemade cookies, is $4.00 each. All money goes to purchase microfilm, CDs and printed reference material for the Genealogy Section of the Library. The Library Lock-In is co-sponsored by Gladys Harrington Library and Genealogy Friends of the Plano Libraries, Inc. Be there by 5:30 for the check-in and have pizza dinner at 7:15.For additional information and a registration form visit the web page at www.geocities.com/genfriendsghl/lock_ins.htm.
NY GENEALOGICAL & BIOGRAPHICAL HAS HERITAGE QUEST ONLINE
The ProQuest® Historical Newspapers New York Times® archive (1851-1999) and HeritageQuest™ Online are available to NYG&B members through the society’s website's Members Area, and at the Technology Center. HQ and ProQuest have fantastic research tools! Lauren Maehrlein, Director of Education, informed me that “to date all the censuses are available with the exception of 1900.” She also says the “1790 through the 1810, 1870, & 1910 are indexed and searchable. The remainder is browseable. Plans are to have all the censuses indexed by the end of the year.” An individual annual membership includes a subscription to the Record and the Newsletter, access to all of the library's collections, remote access through the NYG&B's website, four free queries per year in the Newsletter and there are discounts on other Society publications, library services, and educational programs. Read about it under News on their website at www.nygbs.org/index.html.
CENSUS RECORDS are valuable but sometimes we do not understand the census maps. A great site to help you understand is www.segenealogy.com for Southeast genealogy and www.negenealogy.com for research in the Northeast.
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.
