GAGs - GeniAus' Gems - 31 March 2017

The break I took form GeniAus' Gems ballooned from a two week break around Rootstech time to something much longer. I have spent quite a bit of time this week catching up on my blog reading and I've selected a few posts to share with you.

While I have read some really good posts from the past couple of months I have restricted my selections for this week to posts written in the past week with the exception of a couple that mention the 2017 AtoZ Blogging Challenge (I'm participating over at my jillballau blog). I'd love to hear of other genies who are taking up the challenge.

1. Jennifer has taken up the challenge.
https://jonesfamilyhistory.wordpress.com/2017/03/16/april-a-z-challenge-theme-reveal/

2. And so has Sandra.
http://ancestralresearchjournal.blogspot.com/2017/03/snippets-from-life-of-martha-sarah-ellis.html

3. Thanks for sharing this message Alona. Sadly it often falls on deaf ears.
http://www.lonetester.com/2017/03/another-copyright-issue/

4. Congratulations to Lilian who is progressing with her project.
http://researchbylily.com.au/an-update-on-the-book/

5. I caught up on all Shauna's recent posts. Here is the latest.
https://diaryofanaustraliangenealogist.blogspot.com.au/2017/03/perpetural-copyright-ends-other-news.html

6. Or a face like Phar Lap.
http://ozwords.org/?p=8246

7. Jess offers some guidance for West Austraian research.
https://ancestrysearch.wordpress.com/2017/02/24/using-was-birth-death-marriage-indexes/

8. Listen to Jenny Joyce's latest podcast.
http://jennyalogypodcast.blogspot.com.au/2017/03/jennyalogy-podcast-march-2017.html

9. And hear what Jenny Joyce has to say about genetic communities.
http://jennyalogy.blogspot.com.au/2017/03/new-genetic-communities-results.html

10. Nola is a collaborator.
https://nolamackey.wordpress.com/2017/03/24/more-bell-family-going-to-america/


New to Me Blogs

Gengenaus - https://gengenaus.com/2017/03/25/gedmatch-generations/

The Landfill Chronicles - an hilarious blog from my genimate Amy - http://www.thelandfillchronicles.com/

A Scottish Farmer’s Ride Through England…100 Years Ago’ - https://scottishfarmersride.com/

Ready and Waiting...

With just 12 minutes to go I am sitting at my computer waiting for the first webinar from State Archives and Records NSW to commence. I am going to learn all about using their website. As is my practice I am early.

 If you hadn't heard the news that this institution will now be offering fre

Yet more DNA

At the recent Rootstech Conference in Salt Lake City I did a cheek scrape in the Exhibit Hall under the watchful eye of Daniel Horowitz, Chief Genealogist for MyHeritage. Although I had tested with two other companies I was keen to share my genetic ancestry with another group. Thanks to MyHeritage for offering me the chance to test. I note on their DNA site that the current price for a MyHeritage DNA test is $AU103.

Yesterday when I opened my email box I found that my MyHeritage results were in but, as I had an urgent task to complete, I had to put the results aside .... however I did sneak a peek at my ethnicity results.

What is interesting is that they indicate that I am 1% Papuan (and my Ancestry results say 1% Pacific Islander). So perhaps the aboriginal, Biddy Sargeant (whom I am pretty sure is my 3x Great-Grandmother really is).I have always been fairly sure that Biddy was my 3x Great-Grandmother there is nothing on paper to document this. Perhaps DNA will give me an answer! When I shared this result on the Using DNA for Genealogy - Australia & NZ Facebook Group it resulted in quite a few comments and likes.

I didn't expect to find many matches on MyHeritage because it is a relatively newcomer in the DNA testing field but, when I logged in yesterday afternoon I found 27 matches, two of whom are from Australia, most from the USA and a few from the UK. One of these is a 4th cousin match on my Pusell line that I have confirmed on Gedmatch.

My genimate Pauleen had mentioned in the Facebook Group that she was uploading her results from another company to MyHeritage (I didn't know you could do it for free) so I decided to add Mum's DNA too....but to do this she needed to be in the MyHeritage database (more opportunities for matches!). No problem, I uploaded a gedcom of my direct ancestors and then, with Mum's name in the database, found adding her results a breeze. I am now waiting for her results to be processed - then I anticipate I'll have at least 28 matches. Mum's kit is listed on my profile.

Next task was to go through my matches. I went through them one by one looking at trees where available but only identified a connection with Michelle with whom I have been in communication for many years. The matches (which cn be sorted in a number of ways) are displayed 10 to a page (I think there's an option to change that). Take a look at my closest match - a man from the USA.

I need to examine the site further to see what other features are available. It's early days yet but, as I want to make as many connections as possible, I am pleased to have my data in another database.

Disclosure: I was given a complimentary DNA test by MyHeritage

Trove Tuesday - On the Move

The GeniAus family is on the move so I am on the lookout for tips to make the process a little more painful.... Trove to the rescue.

I entered the simple search "Moving house"into the Trove search box to see what I could find.

The first article was a bit blurry so I corrected the text which I will share.

Moving House.

THE problem of "making things flt" when changing houses can be very expensive if some ingenuity is not used by the housewife.

Linoleums that are too small should be treated frankly as squares, the edges trimmed neatly, and a order of enamel given to them as a finish. Such squares look well with a stained wood border.

If it is necessary to cut a seamless carpet, the best plan is to remove à whole length of the border pattern

over-sewing the edges very carefully. Then cut away the length that is re-quired and replace the border neatly.

Stair carpets can be made to look wider by placing under them a strip of felt the width required.

If removing from an old-fashioned house to a modern one and the old-fashioned cornice poles have to give place to an infinite number of short casement rods, a good and cheap de-vice is to buy the required length of electric wiring conduit. This is steel tubing, and is very strong.

In cutting down long curtains a quick way to sew on the seemingly endless small rings (if by chance they

are used to-day) is to do it on the sew-ing machine when sewing the hem. Take a tiny piece of tape about an inch long, fold it in halves and put a ring through the loop thus formed. Tuck the two ends of the tape under the hem and machine them in. Thus for curtains too long.

Those too short can be bordered with contrasting material, and really make the room look nicer than the plain ones.

1929 'Moving House.', Advocate (Burnie, Tas. : 1890 - 1954), 3 January, p. 6. , viewed 28 Mar 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article67790574

1975 'Moving House', The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), 3 October, p. 32. , viewed 28 Mar 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110660965

1931 'MOVING HOUSE.', The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), 17 July, p. 4. , viewed 28 Mar 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article32356185

Although some of this advice was given many years ago there is a lot of sense in what has been suggested.

Free Webinars from Familysearch

Pleased to share this news from Familysearch. Please note you will have to convert the times to your  current location.

 

 Free Family History Library Classes and Webinars for April 2017

Salt Lake City, Utah (21 March 2017), April is a great month to take a free family history class or webinar taught by specialists through the world reknowned Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Attend in person or online. Beginner or intermediate skill level, we bet you'll find something of interest. British, Portuguese, Finnish, Scottish, French, Chinese, Dutch, and US records-related classes are on tap. Take the introductory DNA class to help understand all the genetic genealogy excitement. And there are quite a few classes about how to get the most out of all the features and content on FamilySearch.org.  Mark your calendars for events you want to join so you don't forget. Find and easily share this release online in the FamilySearch Newsroom. 

Online classes offered in the schedule below are noted as "Webinars". Webinar attendees need to click on the link next to the class title to attend the online class on the scheduled date and time. Those attending the Library in-person need to simply go to the room noted. Invite family and friends. All times are in Mountain Standard Time (MST). No registration is required.

Not able to attend a webinar live or in-person? Most sessions are taped and can be viewed later online at your convenience in the archive for Family History Library Classes and Webinars. 

DATE / TIME	CLASS (SKILL LEVEL)	WEBINAR | ROOM
Mon, 3-Apr,10:00 AM	Using the FamilySearch Catalog Effectively (Beginner)	M Lab
Mon, 3-Apr,1:00 PM	Overview of FamilySearch.org (Beginner)	Webinar | M Lab
Tue, 4-Apr,10:00 AM	Starting with the FamilySearch Family Tree: Navigating, Adding a Person, Standardizing, Views, Printing (Beginner)	Webinar | M Lab
Tue, 4-Apr,12:00 PM	British Research Case Study (Beginner)	Webinar | B2 Lab
Tue, 4-Apr, 2:00 PM	Chinese Genealogy and How to Start (In Chinese) (Beginner)	Webinar  | MFC - B
Wed, 5-Apr,11:00 AM	Ask Your United States Research Question (Beginner)	Webinar | MFC - B
Mon, 10-Apr,10:00 AM	Using the FamilySearch Catalog Effectively (Beginner)	M Lab
Tue, 11-Apr,10:00 AM	What’s New at FamilySearch.org (Beginner)	Webinar | M Lab
Tue, 11-Apr,12:00 PM	Starting Chinese Genealogy (In English) (Beginner)	Webinar  | MFC - C
Tue, 11-Apr,2:00 PM	Exploring Death Notices in Norway (Intermediate)	Webinar | MFC - B
Wed, 12-Apr,10:00 AM	French Language Records Indexing (1½ hrs) (Beginner)	Webinar  | M Lab
Wed, 12-Apr,12:00 PM	Tracing Ancestry in Scotland’s Heritable (Land) Records (Intermediate)	Webinar | B2 Lab
Wed, 12-Apr,2:00 PM	Marriage Customs and Records in Sweden (Beginner)	Webinar | MFC - B
Wed, 12-Apr,4:00 PM	Using the Online Pennsylvania Archives (Beginner)	Webinar | MFC - B
Thur, 13-Apr,1:00 PM	Scottish Naming Customs (Beginner)	Webinar | B2 Lab
Sat, 15-Apr,10:00 AM	Boy Scout Genealogy Merit Badge (1½ hrs.) To register go to http://bit.ly/2eDQGhD(Beginner)	2nd South
Sat, 15-Apr,1:00 PM	Conquistar la mitología: Usando fuentes (Beginner)	Webinar | B1 Lab
Mon, 17-Apr,10:00 AM	Using the FamilySearch Catalog Effectively (Beginner)	M Lab
Tue, 18-Apr,10:00 AM	Tips and Tricks for Using FamilySearch’s Historical Records (Beginner)	Webinar | M Lab
Wed, 19-Apr,10:00 AM	Dutch Language Records Indexing (1½ hrs) (Beginner)	Webinar  | M Lab
Wed, 19-Apr,1:00 PM	Beginning Finnish Research: A Case Study (Beginner)	Webinar | MFC - A
Thur, 20-Apr,11:00 AM	Starting Family Tree: Research Help and Searching Records (Beginner)	Webinar | M Lab
Fri, 21-Apr,1:00 PM	How to Trace Scotland’s Poor (Intermediate)	Webinar | B2 Lab
Mon, 24-Apr,10:00 AM	Using the FamilySearch Catalog Effectively (Beginner)	M Lab
Tue, 25-Apr,11:00 AM	FamilySearch Wiki (Beginner)	Webinar | MFC - B
Tue, 25-Apr,2:00 PM	Genetic Genealogy: An Introduction to DNA (Beginner)	Webinar | MFC -B
Wed, 26-Apr,10:00 AM	Portuguese Language Records Indexing (1½ hrs) (Beginner)	Webinar  | M Lab
Wed, 26-Apr,2:00 PM	New York City Passenger Arrivals (Intermediate)	Webinar | MFC - B
Thur, 27-Apr,10:00 AM	Genetic Genealogy: An Introduction to DNA (Beginner)	Webinar | MFC - B
Thur, 27-Apr,1:00 PM	Your British/Irish Research Questions Answered (Beginner)	Webinar | B2 Lab

###

About FamilySearch

FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,991 family history centers in 129 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Deadline Looming

As  serial procrastinator I need a deadline. Well, I have a task that is due tomorrow so for today it's nose to the grindstone.

I am easily distracted so, as I haven't moved any of my geneastuff, into this new geneacave the opportunities to be distracted are limited. There is always the temptation of the internet and a spot of Tangential Genealogy, my surname study, CurryAus, needs some attention and I need to schedule another slew of posts for the Geneadictionary.

I am also an on time freak and always try to meet a deadline or arrive with plenty of time to spare. So I will wish you adieu until my task is done.

No distractions in the new geneacave (but plenty of space for bookselves)

It won't ever be this tidy again!

It's close to the kitchen for coffee and coke

Post Script ...and I just got this message - tempting!

Back on Board

Those of you who are my Facebook friends will know that I was back on board a cruise ship for a few weeks this month and so my geneablogging suffered.

Mr GeniAus enjoyed our sojourn at sea where we journeyed from Auckland up to Singapore with about a dozen stops along the way, some old, some new. As lifelong learners we appreciate the opportunities cruising gives us to visit new lands and learn about people and places via the Smithsonian lecture program provided on board.

Our dear little ship, Seven Seas Navigator, in Akaroa, New Zealand

I got back into the swing of genealogy yesterday when I presented my Geneagoogling: effective Google searching talk at The Society of Australian Genealogists to a lively and responsive group. There were some familiar faces in the audience as well as folk who were new to me. It was pleasing to meet a couple of young genies at the session.

One of these genies, Nyree, mentioned that she has a blog. Of course I took a look at it on the way home and was impressed by its professional appearance. Do take a look at One Girl's Family History : an outlet for an obsession and leave a comment for Nyree. We need to encourage new, young geneabloggers.

I was chuffed when one familiar face chatted with me. It was Susan whom I had met through Wyong Family History Group. Susan is also a user of my favourite program Family Historian but it was something that Susan said that made me go all coy.

As a sometime genealogy presenter I often wonder if I have had any effect on the people who are in my audiences. Do they come along, listen, think that was interesting but then go about their business without taking on board any of things I have mentioned. Susan indicated that I had inspired her to put her information on the internet and that she had crested three websites following a workshop day I had presented at Wyong a couple of years ago.

Susan has used Weebly to post her family history data and stories on the internet. Take a look at her three sites:  Crust Family from Queensland, Glennan Family from Cooma and Andrews and Jones Families. I was absolutely chuffed to discover that someone had heeded my advice and created this wonderful trio of resources. I was even more thrilled when I read this in the about me page of one of Susan's sites " After attending a workshop on "Family History in the Modern Era", and being inspired by the presenter, Jill Ball, I decided to put my research on the internet. . It's a great way to share my family history research with family members and hopefully, the many photographs I've collected over the past 40 years will not be lost."

While I was at sea I received an invitation to present a program to the Forster Family History Advisory Group at The Great Lakes Library. I look forward to meeting the genies up on the north coast in November.

March 19

Remembering these people in my tree who departed this earth on 19th March in years gone by.

	Last Name, First Name		Place
1	Peters Elisabeth	19 Mar 1897	,Dreumel,, Holland
2	Kealy Thomas James	19 Mar 1900	Tamworth Hospital,Tamworth, NSW, Australia
3	Goodfellow Michael	19 Mar 1941	,Cobar, NSW, Australia
4	Nelson Ernest Albert	19 Mar 1944	99 Beaconsfield Pde, Albert Park, Victoria, Australia
5	Ryan Michael Newman	19 Mar 1963	,,NSW, Australia
6	Macpherson Fraser William Harray	19 Mar 1997	,Whakatane, ,New Zealand