|
Roots
conference cancelled and it's victims find strength in numbers
A genealogical conference planned for July 14-18 in Dearborn, Michigan was
cancelled because it did not have enough registrants. A newcomer to the
national conference scene, it had only 300 people signed up to attend
which was about 1700 fewer than expected.
If you have lost money on this venture you may want to join efforts to
recoup losses by emailing
southernfootprints@comcast.net and by visiting the newly formed
Internet mailing list
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/irc-victims.
Thanks to Valley Leaves, PO Box 1568, Huntsville, AL 35807-0567.
Oklahoma veteran's records no longer public
Fears of identity theft have promoted another state to remove records from
public view. As of July 1, Oklahoma county clerks can no longer allow
genealogists and other researchers to see U.S. Department of Defense Form
214 records, which document military veterans' status and eligibility for
benefits. You can only access these records if you are the veteran, the
veteran's spouse or child, a guardian with power of attorney, a Department
of Defense representative, a funeral director or other person authorized
by the court to do so. In recent months, California, Texas and Maine have
also yanked vital records from public scrutiny because of concerns about
identity theft.
Thanks to Valley Leaves, PO Box 1568, Huntsville, AL 35807-0567.
Religions, The when, where & how?
When were and how did the present day major religions form?
Judaism was in the Middle East in approximately 2300 B.C. and was founded
by Abraham.
The Islamic religion was founded by Mohammed around 600 C.E. in Saudi
Arabia.
The Hindu religion was founded in 1500 B.C. in India.
The Buddhist's were also founded in India in 500 B.C. by Prince Siddhartha
Gautama and it was a split from Hinduism.
The Roman Catholic religion was formed by Jesus Christ in the Middle East
at about 33 C.E.
The Eastern Orthodox Church was formed about 1000 C.E. and was a split
from the Roman Catholic Church.
The Lutheran Church was founded by Martin Luther in 1517 in Germany.
The Church of England was formed in England in 1534 by King Henry VIII.
The Congregationalist church was also formed in England in the 1660s C.E.
Congregationalism is a split from Purtitanism.
The Methodist religion was founded by John and Charles Wesley in 1744 C.E.
also in England.
The Salvation Army was founded by William Booth in London, England in 1865
C.E.
The Presbyterian religion was found in Scotland by John Knox who was
spreading the teaching of John Calvin in 1560.
John Smyth form Amsterdam, Holland founded the Baptist religion in 1607.
The Episcopalian religion was founded in England and the Colonies in 1798
by Samuel Seabury.
Joseph Smith founded the Latter Day Saints, also known as Mormons, in
Palmyra, New York in 1830.
The Christian Scientist Church was founded in the United States in 1879 by
Mary Baker Eddy.
Charles Taze Russell founded the Jehovah's Witness in Pennsylvania in the
1870s.
And the in the United States the Pentecostal religion began in 1901.
Thank you to Rabbit Tracks, Conejo Valley Genealogical Society, PO Box
1228, Thousand Oaks, CA 91358-0228.
New edition of the SAR Patriot Index CD now available
The new CD of the SAR (Sons of the American Revolution) is now available,
containing over 115,000 new records, more than was on the 1999 edition,
and it has pictures of tombstones of over 800 people and a total of
725,000 records. It operates on Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP.
Owners of the 1999 Edition may upgrade for $19.95 plus $5.00 shipping by
sending in the front page from the 1999 CD booklet as proof of purchase.
This must be sent directly to Progeny Publishing, PO Box 621, Athol, MA
01331.
You may order direct at 800-565-0018 and send fax of the page. Those not
having 1999 edition may order from above, or from SAR Merchandise Dept.,
in Louisville.
The cost is $39.95. For information on how to send photos for further
editions visit
www.sar.org/pat_idx or email
patriot-index@sar.org.
Thanks to Kline O. Pugh, Secretary of the Georgia Society SAR.
Elizabeth Asquith, born November 28, 1925, died August 20, 2002.
Beth was a long standing member of the Australia Branch of Clan Chisholm
Society and very active for many years, finally becoming secretary in
1996. She and her husband, Allen, attended Clan Chisholm Gatherings in
Scotland over the years. Betty had battled cancer for a long time, yet
she carried out her clan duties faithfully and was always a charming
gentle lady. Her soft Scottish brogue was a memorable part of our clan
meetings. Her eulogy was written and read by her son Ronald at the
Funeral service September 4.
Topeka Genealogical Society plans April 2003 conference
The Topeka Genealogical Society will host its 31st annual genealogy
conference, April 26, 2003 at the Kansas History Center, 6425 SW 6th St.,
Topeka, Kansas. Birdie Monk Holclaw will be the featured speaker.
For information visit
http://www.tgstopeka.org/, email
library@tgstopeka.org or call
785-233-5762.
WILLIAM MORRISSEY wed KATHERINE LONG circa 1791, (Cahir Castle,
County Tipperary, Ireland) In Philadelphia September, 1813,
Pennsylvania. MARGARET MORRISSEY (1797-1837). Contact Richard Morrissey,
28656 Murrieta, Sun City, CA 92586.
My name is Denise Mills and I am looking for my birth mother. I
was separated from her at 4 months of age. I was told she was deceased
but have reason to believe she is still living. I am requesting any
information that may be able to help. I am trying to find date of birth,
social security number, death certificate marriage license or divorce
documents, to help find members of the family I know I have. Father's
name PAUL ARTHOR JOHNSON, date of birth 1-27-1925 in Richmond or
Alexandria, Virginia. Mother's name PEGGY JEAN JOHNSON (maiden name
BRAGG), birth year 1927, date of death if deceased 8-1967 or any time
thereafter. Denise Michelle Mills Johnson, 759 Stevens St., Lowell, MA
01851, 978-458-3775.
Dr. Dr.James Hunter set to speak at the Eight Annual Scottish Symposium
Guest of honor and principal speaker at the Eight Annual Scottish
Symposium, sponsored by the Caledonian Foundation USA, Inc., to be held
March 21-23, 2003, in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, is Dr. James
Hunter, CBE, Chairman of the Board, Highlands and Island Enterprise, the
government-funded development agency for the North of Scotland, based in
Inverness.
Dr. Hunter is well known as a journalist, BBC broadcaster, and author. He
has written more than ten books, the best know in the U.S. being A Dance
Called America: The Scottish Highlands, The United States and Canada, and
Last of the Free: A Millennial History of the Highlands and Island of
Scotland.
His latest book is Culloden and the Last Clansman.
Dr. Hunter's appearance is of special interest to members of the
Caledonian Foundation USA since the foundation's mission is to support
Scottish Opera and to focus on its Education Program, which takes music to
the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
Dr. Hunter is a member of the BBC Broadcasting Council for Scotland and is
a member of the board of governors of the proposed new university, now
known as The University of the Highlands and Islands Millennium Institute.
He is founding director of the Scottish Crofters Council and has served on
the board of trustees of the John Muir Trust, the Council of the National
Trust for Scotland as well as numerous other international organizations.
Information on the Scottish Symposium may be obtained from the Caledonian
Foundation USA, Inc., PO Box 1242, Edgartown, MA 02539.
Real help for Italian genealogists!
Bread and Respect: The Italians of Louisiana authored by A. V. Margavio
and Jerome J. Salomone tells of approximately 70,000 Italian immigrants
who arrived in the Port of New Orleans between 1898 and 1929.
They brought with them a yearning, a hunger for the things they valued:
bread, respect, fortune, security, beauty, justice, and drama.
Impoverished conditions in Sicily lead its people to respond to Louisiana
planters' pleas for workers, and transported Sicilians were then able to
start new lives, rising quickly to become leaders in their
communities.
This is bread.
There were few opportunities for land ownership in Sicily and over
crowding in the urban slums into which immigrants in other parts of the
country came. In Louisiana, these immigrants largely settled in rural
areas, and before long, Italian Americans became "food kingpins" of the
state.
This is respect.
Together, they form the basis of this history of interwoven influences,
clashes between the old world and the new, and that which makes America
the great nation it is: the longing of its citizens to be independent.
Using vignettes, family histories, and census as well as other historical
records, A.V. Margavio and Jerome J. Salomone examine how Italian culture
shaped the lives of the immigrants to Louisiana and, in turn, how
experiences in Louisiana modified the Old World values and culture the
Italians brought with them.
There are hundreds of thousands of Italian Americans Living in Louisiana
today. A.V. Margavio is a professor of sociology at the University of New
Orleans. Jerome J. Salomone is a professor of sociology and scholar in
residence at Southeaster Louisiana University.
To order Bread and Respect: The Italians of Louisiana by A. V. Margavio
and Jerome J. Salomone, 320 pp., 5 1/2 x 8 1/2, 25 b/w photos, 2 maps, 7
tables, Notes, Biblio. Index., ISBN: 1-58980-023-0 for $25 contact Pelican
Publishing Company at 1-800-843-1724 or 1-888-5-PELICAN, write to them at
PO Box 3110, Gretna, LA 70054 or check out their website at
http://www.pelicanpub.com.
Pay attention to boarders when looking at census records
In census records, many households will have individuals enumerated as
"boarders." Don't dismiss these people as strangers. Often they are
family members and the surname may give a clue about a married woman's
maiden name or a little searching of that name may reveal another branch
of the family.
In the 1930 census, in the household of my in-laws, a George Pritchard is
listed as a "boarder." In reality, he was the brother of my husband's
grandmother.
Sometimes, young men will be listed as boarders and turn out to be the
brother of the wife.
I have also seen circumstances where parents of the wife will be referred
to as boarders.
Thanks to Kathy Dixon, Newbury, Ohio and Mesa Dwellers, Mesa County
Genealogical Society, PO Box 1506, Grand Junction, CO 81502.
What was that?
Editors receive comical requests and comments from readers, especially on
genealogical subjects. For example: "Last week I uploaded my grandfather
and this week I plan to upload my grandmother, but I've forgotten my
account's password."
"So you can see what I'm talking about, I want to forward you my marriage
certificate and three children, one of which is a mistake, as you can
see."
Thanks to Mesa Dwellers, Mesa County Genealogical Society, PO Box 1506,
Grand Junction, CO 81502.
The Hill O' Many Stanes
What are stanes?
If you guessed stones, you are partially right. Read on and find out.
You may be surprised.
The Hill O' Many Stanes is to be found at Mid Clyth in Caithness, the most
northerly county on mainland Britain. It is one of the most peculiar
prehistoric sites in the country. Within the are of about 60 square yard
there are 22 parallel rows of over 200 flagstone boulders - all running
north to south. None of the stones rise about the height of two feet and
there are no clues as to this amazing arrangement.
Legend has it that the site was the scene of a battle between the clans,
Keiths and the Gunns. The Gunns were the victors and buried the dead in a
row, marking the head of each dead clansman with a stone. So the "the
many stanes" are in fact headstones. This however, seems unlikely, as the
stones formation appears to be from the Bronze Age - it is doubtful
whether Keiths and Gunns were fighting in the Bronze Age. But feuding
Scots can keep a grudge that long! Still, this explanation seems more
plausible than UFO landing strip theories.
Britain used to have many more Stone Circle and Henges than are left to us
today. Over the years superstition and the practicalities of farming the
land have meant than many stone were destroyed, toppled, broken up, or
used for building purpose, although perhaps the Orkney farmers have more
reason to destroy the stones. You can barely plough a field in Orkney
without unearthing a henge, tomb or Neolithic village.
So it was that on Christmas day 1914 Captain W. Mackay, in a fit of pique
at the amount of visitors tramping about his field, broke up one of the
famous Stones of Stenness - a stone known as Odin's Stone. His wanton
vandalism cost him dearly because there were town attempts to burn down
his house.
Enraged tourists or angry spirits? Theories abound.
Though many maintain that the Stones of Stenness are giants, turned to
stone by the rising sun, whether these giants were prone to arson is a
question many have asked. In fact, many folk tales refer to standing
stones as petrified giants. Often these tales are on the theme of early
Christian saints taming the pagan gods, who they replaced with the "true
God."
The Stones of Callanish on the Isle of Lewis were apparently created from
the old giants who lived on the island - turned to stone by St. Kieran as
a punishment for refusing to be Christianized.
Thanks to The Palmetto & Thistle, PO Box 3325, Melbourne, FL 32902-3325.
The Georgia Archives Georgia Archives moving to Clayton County
The Georgia Archives is on the move! Its new location, not very far from
its present home, will house a splendid building now being erected on a
site close to the future site of the National Archives Regional Archives,
in Morrow, Georgia. A thoughtful staff put together tips for genealogists
and other researchers to plan for the weeks and months until the new
facility opens.
First, the Move Schedule: As records are prepared for the move to Clayton
County, some will become unavailable for research use.
The following schedule will help you plan. All dates are best estimates
and are subject to change. (Any questions? Contact Anne Smith
asmith@sos.state.ga.us or at
404-657-4530.)
1 Dec 2002: Last day to place microfilm, photograph, and map orders.
31 Jan 2003: 1. All original record vaults are closed.
2. Mail, telephone and email reference ends.
3. Main Search Room (books, family files, and microfilm) remain open.
3 Feb 2003: Move of original records begins.
25 Mar 2003: Main Search Room/Library closed to the public. All records
and facilities closed.
11 April 2003: 1. Physical move of records and personnel ends.
2. Placement, arrangement, and verification of records at new building
ends 23 April 2003: New building opens and all services resume.
Second, the tips: 1. Use Original records now. Since original records
close 31 January, use the original records now or delay your use of the
library until later.
The library remains open til 28 March 2003
2. Conduct research in other local repositories.
The Archives staff is extremely cooperative. Let them know if they can
help.
Thanks to Southern Echoes, PO Box 3743, Augusta, GA 30914-3743.
The Lady MacDougal curse is lifted!
The Lady MacDougal Curse has been laid to rest.
The curse that had been cast upon the Malcolm/MacCallum Clan by Lady
MacDougall in the late 15th Century, at Kilbride Church, as exorcised by
the MacDougal Clan at the Grandfather Mountain Games in North Carolina.
The MacDougall and Malcolm/MacCallum Clans met at MacRae Meadows in the
heart of the Smokies in front of the Memorial Cairn on July 13, 2002.
They felt that it was important to be on neutral ground, and mend the
enmity that had existed through the centuries regarding Lady MacDougall's
cures of death cast upon the sons of the Chief of the MacCallum Clan .
The Clans reached the Cairn area at the same time in mid afternoon. Mel
McDougal, President of the MacDougall's of North America, had arrived with
Chief Fergus MacDowall of Garthland, the Chief representing their Clan.
Jon McCollum, President of the Malcolm/MacCallum's, had arrived with
Donald H. Malcolm, Vice President, Brown McCallum, Past President and Dick
McCallum, secretary and treasurer.
Members from both Clans surrounded these men, as did curious spectators.
The rains had abated as Mel McDougal stepped forward to explain why they
had come to meet with our Clan.
With words of commencement he said, " The MacDougall's have come to lift
the Lady MacDougall curse off of the Malcolm/MacCallum Clan, and our Chief
would like to say a few words of restoration regarding the curse."
With that, Chief Fergus MacDowall of Garthland steeped forward and said,
"We have come here today to take care of this most unfortunate incident
that occurred between our good Clans. We do not want something like this
to exist between Scottish brothers, so we will more forward with the
lifting of the Lady MacDougall Curse."
With that said, John McCollum welcomed the MacDougall and MacDowall Clans,
and thanked them for the ceremonial restoration occasion. He payed
tribute and honor to them by giving a brief history of the MacDougall and
MacDowall Clans, and finished with, "Your presence and this gesture of
reconciliation today honors us, and we drink to the lifting of The Lady
MacDougall Curse."
Jon then picked up the quaich that he had prepared, and drank a wee dram,
and passed it to Mel McDougal, who took a drink, and he passed it to Chief
Fergus MacDowall who finished the Scotch, and traditionally turned the cup
upside down.
It was then proclaimed that the curse had been lifted. Jon told them to
retain the quaich for their clan remembrance, as the inside bottom of the
quaich was engraved with their Clan badge and name.
The MacDougall's and Malcolm/MacCallum's were given cups, and all of the
Clan members from both Clans enjoyed a dram together.
A special word of acknowledgment and thanks goes to Donald Ian MacCallum
who is a member of our Clan in Great Britain. Donald first wrote about
the Lady MacDougall Curse in his series on the MacCallums of Glen Lyon in
the 2000 Fall issue of The Argent Castle. Donald has since informed us
that he had stayed at a bed and breakfast owned by one of the MacDougal
sub Chiefs. When he asked the Chief if the knew about the curse, the
Chief replied, "Most definitely."
Donald has gone on to inform us that he will enter the Lifting of the
Curse ceremony into the proper archives, so that it is historically noted
for future generations that it was lifted on July 13, 2002.
Thanks to The Argent Castle, Clan MacCallum/Malcolm Society, 3313 Dana
Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55305.
Celtic
Heritage Society of East Texas sets May for festival!
The Celtic Heritage Society of East Texas plans a Celtic Heritage Festival
May 3-4, 2003 in downtown Kilgore, Texas. There will be singers, dancers,
warriors, Celtic vendors, Clan tents, "Wee Celts" children's corner, and a
bonniest knees contest. For more information contact: The Celtic Heritage
Society of East Texas, PO Box 392, Judson, TX 75660, call 903-759-9017 or
903-297-8383, or email at
easttexascelts@aol.com.
FGS and FSGS Conference to be in Orlando in 2003
Find your genealogical treasure at the 2003 Federation of Genealogical
Society and Florida Sate Genealogical Society Conference. This conference
will be held at the Renaissance Orlando Resort at Sea World in Orlando,
Florida. Some areas of topics are: Society development and management, APG
Professional Management Conference, Librarians Serving Genealogists
pre-conference, Methodology and much more.
For additional information, please contact: The Federation of Genealogical
Societies, PO Box 200940, Austin, TX 78720-0940, you can phone at
1-888-FGS-1500, email at ncc@fgs.org, or
see the website at
www.fgs.org . |
