German Genealogy Conference planned for June 19-21
The 2003 National Conference welcomes Palatines to America on June 19-21, 2003, in Columbus, Ohio.There will be six guest speakers which are Christopher Anderson, Joan K. Mitchell, Beth Stahr, Cyndi Howells, Richard N. Pawling, and Don Heinrich Tolzmann.
For more information email: <sjbhall@aol.com> or write: National Conference, PO Box 611, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068-0611.

Scottish Black Watch visible and proud in Operation Iraqi Freedom!
Dragon Guards tank regiment and 45th  Commandos of the Royal Marines based at Arbroath have also been heavily involved in the south of Iraq. In addition, Tornado jets from 111th Squadron based at Leuchars in Fife and the 12th and 617th Squadrons were flying daily sorties.

The efforts of the Scottish forces in the conflict were recognized by President George Bush in a message timed to coincide with Tartan Day, when he sent a letter to the Scottish news media saying that he and his country were “deeply grateful” for their contribution to the liberation of Iraq. This was the second occasion on which President Bush has given public backing to National Tartan Day.
Thanks to The Palmetto and Thistle, PO Box 3325, Melbourne, FL 32902-3325.

Missouri Online Documents available now for researchers
In March 2003 Missouri Secretary of State Matt Blunt announced the availability online of a database index to St. Louis Probate Court records from 1804 to 1900. The pre-state probate documents have also been digitized and are online at <www.sos.state.mo.us/archives>. Missouri records from the 1800s will also be digitized, and they are expected to be available online by December of 2003.
Thanks to The Immigrant Genealogical Society, PO Box 7369, Burbank, CA 91510-7369.

DNA identification made of Titanic victim
For 90 years researchers have puzzled as to the identity of a small toddler whose body was recovered after the sinking of the Titanic. With the assistance of DNA testing, it has now been established that it was part of a Finnish family named Panula. The mother and five children were travelling in third class from Finland to western Pennsylvania, where they were to join the father, who had emigrated to work in the coal mines. Researchers have also identified a living 68 year old retired bank clerk in Helsinki as the baby's closest living relative.
Thanks to The Immigrant Genealogical Society, PO Box 7369, Burbank, CA 91510-7369.

Obituary Daily Times now online!
One website called Obituary Daily Times is placing online an index to obituaries contributed by persons all over the world who clip obituaries from their local newspaper. The original themselves, but the arrival of 2,500 new entries a day forced a quick shift to an index only! It would seem that most of these would be for recent deaths.
For more information visit <www.rootsweb.com/obituary/>.
Thanks to The Immigrant Genealogical Society, PO Box 7369, Burbank, CA 91510-7369.

Legal words we need...
Harvey Wendt, 537128 Ellis, Huntsville, TX 77343, sent us a lovely list of legal words you need to know. Clip this and keep it with your genealogical research materials!

Assumpsit: An express or implied promise, not under seal, by which one person undertakes to do some act or pay something to another. 1. A common-law action for breach of such a promise or for breach of a contract. (See Assumption)
Bargain and sell: Probably a distortion of Bargain Sale: A sale of property for less than its fair market value.
Coats: This is not a term in ordinary general court usage. It may be something specific to a small locality.
Chattle: A misspelling of Chattel: Moveable or transferable property; especially personal property.
Conveyance: The voluntary transfer of a right or of property. 2. The transfer of a property right that does not pass by delivery of a thing or merely by agreement. 3. The transfer of an interest in real property from one living person to another, by means of an instrument such as a deed. 4. The document (usually a deed) by which such a transfer occurs. 5. A transfer of an interest in real or personal property, including an assignment, release, monetary payment , or the creation of a lien or encumbrance.
Demise: The conveyance of an estate by will or lease. 2. The instrument by which such a conveyance is accomplished. 3. The passing of property by descent or bequest. 4. The death of a person or (figuratively) of a thing.
Demurrer: A pleading stating that although the facts alleged in a complaint may be true, they are insufficient for the plaintiff to state a claim for relief and for the defendant to frame an answer. (Now usually termed a motion to dismiss.)
Ejectment: The ejection of an owner or occupier from property. 2. A legal action by which a person wrongfully ejected from property seeks to recover possession and damages.
Encumbrance: A claim or liability that is attached to property or some other right and that may lessen its value, such as a lien or mortgage; any property right that is not an ownership interest.
Enactment: The action or process of making into law. 2. A statute.
Et al.: And other persons. 2. And elsewhere.
Executor: One who performs or carries out some act. 2. A person named by a testator to carry out the provisions of the testator's will. (See executioner).
Fiduciary: One who owes to another the duties of good faith, trust, confidence, and candor. 2. One who must exercise a high standard of care in managing another's money or property.
Habeas Corpus: Writ to bring a person before the court. (For whatever reason.)
Inchoate: Partially completed or imperfectly formed; just begun.