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Whittier Area
Genealogical Society to hold February conference
On Saturday, February 22, 2003 the Whittier Area Genealogical Society will
hold it's 21st annual Conference at the Masonic Lodge at 7604 Greenleaf
Avenue in Whittier, California.
The featured speaker will be Katherine Scott Sturdevant. The topics for
the conference will be Trailing Families: Western Migration Patterns in
Family History; The Immigrant Experience; Don't throw it away! Utilizing
Artifacts in Family History Research and Writings; and Let Family Papers
speak for Themselves: Documentary Editing for Family Historians.
Contact Jean Bogart at
BJCBogie@aol.com for more information.
The Southern California Genealogical Society sets February Jamboree in
Marengo
The Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree will be on Friday,
February 28, 2003 from 1-9 PM and Saturday March 1, 2003 from 8-6 PM at
the Pasadena Center at 300 E. Green Street at Marengo. Michael Daigle,
Wade Hone, Barbara Renick, Arlene Eakle, Joan Lowrey, Don Ray, Tom
Underhill and Andy Pomeroy will be the speakers.
There will be new products which relate to the hobby of genealogy and
family history, picture restoration, computer programs, CDs, old, new and
used books, maps and videos, how-to-lectures, and software demonstration.
Searching for children from my purported great-great-uncle, EDWARD
L. MILLER and my great-great-aunt by marriage, OLIVE ADAMS PEABODY. EDWARD
L. was very likely the son of my great-great-grandfather, GEORGE C. (or
G.) MILLER, a German immigrant, and his first wife?, my unknown
great-great-grandmother, and OLIVE ADAMS PEABODY was the daughter of
THOMAS PEABODY (1801-1870) and DEBORAH ADAMS PEABODY (1807 1854), both of
Gilead, Maine. EDWARD L. MILLER and OLIVE ADAMS PEABODY (b. 1839) were
probably married in west-central Maine on May 16, 1868. Please contact
Edward W. Carberg, 6 Park St., Salem, MA 01970.
Here are some Kansass site for the Internet researcher
The Kansas State Historical Society URL is
www.Kskh.org, the Kansas Newspaper database is
www.kskh.org/library/news.htm, the Kansas census reel listing is
www.kskh.org/library/censks.htm, and the Kansas County
Histories/bibliographies is
www.kskh.org/library/kscoa.htm.
The following require Adobe Acrobat: Guide to Kansas Research Resources is
www.kskh.org/research/findaids.htm and the Researcher's Guide to Local
Government Records is
www.kskh.org/research/findaids.htm.
For more information contact The Historical Society at 6425 SW Sixth Ave.,
Topeka, KS 66615-1099.
Thanks to The Green Country Quarterly, PO Box 1244, Broken Arrow, OK
74013-1244.
Did you know?
That stepmothers were sometimes called mothers-in-law in Colonial times?
That the word housekeeper once meant property owner?
That the word infant once meant any person under 21?
That the word domestic once meant housewife?
That the word mister in the early days was applied only to men of wealth
or education?
That tithing once meant towns?
That son-in-law meant stepson as well as husband of the daughter?
That in 1619 one hundred children from the London slums were sent as
apprentice workers to Virginia and that many of these grew up to become
the founders of plantations, businesses, universities, libraries and other
great establishments?
Thanks to Bites and Bytes, Newsletters 11-1, July 2002 published by the
Northeast Oklahoma genealogy Software User's Group (NEOGENSUG) of Tulsa.
Do you need dates for those old family letters?
If you have undated letters in your collection of family papers, don't
discard the envelopes in which they were mailed. You might be able to date
them by the amount of the postage charged. Prior to 1847, stamps were not
used on letter carried in the US Postal Service.
Later, the first class postage rates , per ounce, as of the following
dates were: July 1, 1882 - 2 cents; November 3, 1819 - 3 cents; July 1,
1919 - 2 cents; July 6 1932 - 3 cents; August 1, 1958 - 4 cents; January
7, 1968 - 6 cents; may 16, 1971 - 8 cents, March 2, 1974 - 10 cents;
December 31, 1975 - 13 cents; May 29, 1975 - 15 cents?; March 22, 1981,
November 1, 1981 - 20 cents; April 3, 1988 - 25 cents; February 3, 1991 -
29 cents; January 1, 1995 - 32 cents; January 10, 1999 - 33 cents; January
7, 2001 - 34 cents; and June 30, 2002 - 37 cents.
I took this a step farther as in recent year the value has not always been
printed on the stamp: an A stamp was 15 cents; a B stamp was 18 cents; a C
stamp was 20 cents; a D stamp was 22 cents; an E stamp was 25 cents; an F
stamp was 29 cents and a G stamp was 32 stamps. This can be helpful to
stamp collectors, too.
Thanks to The Green Country Quarterly, PO Box 1244, Broken Arrow, OK
74013-1244.
Viking "Forest Cat" discovers America
Frank Joseph
DNA research is not only revolutionizing all otherwise unknown historical
information with no less revolutionizing consequences for our
understanding of the past. A case in point is the unexpected solution of
an old controversy surrounding the Maine Coon Cat. The breed has long
perplexed biologists, because they were unable to explain it unique
appearance or trace its origins.
The animal derived its modern identity from the state in which it is
primarily found, although smaller populations appear in the Atlantic
coastal regions of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Somewhat larger than the
average house cat, specimens of ten or more pounds are common.
But the beast is best known for its unusual hindquarters, which resemble
those of a raccoon; hence, its name. Moreover, its bushy tail, brown and
white striped markings, together with an occasional tendency to wash its
food, helped to promote its reputation as the result of unions between
cats and raccoons.
But such crossings are biologically impossible, because raccoons are not
felines, but canines related to members of the dog family. In an attempt
to trace the genetic origins of the singular Maine Coon Cat, scientists
subjected it to DNA testing last year for the first time. The results were
clear as they were surprising: The Maine Coon is the direct descendant of
an unknown domestic breed that went extinct with the last few centuries
and the skaugkatt, or "Norwegian Forest Cat," brought to our continent
from Scandinavia a thousand years ago.
As the web site for the Cat Fanciers' Association explains, "These are the
cats that explored the world with the Vikings, protecting the grain stores
on land and sea, and are believed to have left their progeny on the shores
of North America, as a legacy to the future. Is their Norse name accurate?
Yes, the skaugkatt, meaning 'forest cat,' really did come out of the
Scandinavian forests in the 4,000 years." Because the large animals are
determined hunters, they were invariably taken aboard Viking expeditions
to keep the long-ships free of vermin.
When the Medieval Scandinavians landed along North American coasts, some
of the "wegies," as the were commonly nicknamed in Britain and the United
States, jumped overboard, and mated with that unknown domestic breed which
no longer exists. The living descendants of those early days in Viking
America are today's Maine Coon cats.
Their majority presence in the state which gave them their name suggests
that the Norse did more than briefly establish a settlement at L'Ans aux
Meadows, as mainstream scholars insist, but went on to colonize other
parts of the Eastern Seaboard. Concentration of the Maine Coon's
population in that state implies that the Vikings' elusive Vinland was in
Maine after all.
The Main Coon's descent from Norway's Forest Cat is unmistakable. The
skaugkatt is somewhat larger; its fur texture is not quite as silky; the
head shape is slightly different; tufts, not seen on its American
counterpart, sprout from the tips of its ears, and, most noticeably, its
hind quarters are straighter. But physical and behavioral comparisons
leave no doubt that it is the ancestor of the Maine Coon Cat, as confirmed
by DNA research.
In a happy coincidence, the skaugkatt was designated Norway's official cat
by King Olaf late in the last century, about the same time the Maine Coon
Cat was named the official cat of the Pine Tree State. Connections between
the two are valid evidence for Vikings in American Centuries before
Columbus.
Anyone who wants to meet a direct descendent of the first Norwegian
visitors to our continent need only make the acquaintance of a Maine Coon
Cat.
Thanks to Frank Joseph and Ancient American , Volume 7, Issue #47, PO Box
370, Colfax, WI 54730.
The Texas Research Ramblers plan seminar for March
On March 29, 2003 The Texas Research Ramblers will be having their 9th
Annual seminar at Sam Rayburn Middle School in Bryan, Texas. John Sellers,
who will be the featured speaker, has for 14 year been involved in
genealogy research.
The topics will be: What are they saying about your family in the paper?;
Learning where your ancestors played, prayed, lived and died; History's
role in your genealogical pursuits; and Women, that gender you can't do
without in your research.
For more information contact Mary Collie Cooper, Texas Research Ramblers,
740 Garden Acres Blvd., Bryan, TX 77802-4005 or call at 979-846-8278 or
Sue Foy, Registrar, 804 Vine St., Bryan, TX 77802-4349 or call at
979-846-7392.
The Caledonian Kitchen haggis wins prize in Scottish contest!
Texas based Caledonian kitchen haggis placed 5th in the prestigious
Scotland Magazine haggis tasting. The judges included three professional
Scottish Chefs, two of which were the Executive Chef and the other the
Head Chef of the Old Course Hotel at St. Andrews. The others were writers
of various gourmet and food magazines throughout the United Kingdom. A
very tough, knowledgeable, and august panel.
They all agreed on two points, it was too moist in texture and second it
tasted good! Our next production run will address that problem by cutting
back the water a bit. I never dreamed that I would have such a panel of
experts critique my haggis for me and to compare our haggis with the
finest Scotland has to offer.
All offered their fresh in the casing versions for judging, while I only
had my canned version to offer. Needless to say we are absolutely
delighted and feel very fortunate to have an opportunity to compete in
such and event. In order of finishing, the top winner was made by Watson's
of Leven on a family run farm and butcher shop who scored a 9.0, next at
8.0 was McSweens, the Scottish legend, third was McSweens Vegetarian
Haggis at 7.75, fourth was Crombie's Traditional Haggis at 7.0, and the us
in 5th at 5.50.
Congratulations to the Caledonian Kitchens!
The Greelaw's celebrate 250 years in America!
The year 2003 marks the 250th anniversary of the arrival of William and
Jane Greenlaw and their family in America. They set sail from Scotland and
arrived on the coast of Maine in summer of 1753. After 250 year of
Greenlaw heritage in Canada and the United States, some of us think that
this is an opportunity for Greelaw descendants of William and Jane to
gather and celebrate.
We would like the opportunity to meet each other, explore our history,
acquaint ourselves with our ancestry, and celebrate our Scottish roots and
heritage. Join us in Maine on August 14-17, 2003 to celebrate Greenlaw
250!
For further information please contact the Greelaw 250 Coordinator,
Stephen H. Snell at 1106 Belle View Boulevard, #C2, Alexandria, VA 22307,
call at 703-768-4708, or email at
StephSnell@aol.com.
The Dupplin Cross returns to Strath Earn
After eight years of campaigning, and not a little bit of controversy, one
of Scotland's finest artifacts, a 9th century sculptured Pictish cross,
believed to be the only complete surviving example of a free standing
cross, is back in Strath Earn. It is now on display in the part medieval
St. Serf's Church in Dunning, Perthshire, which is roughly 4m 1/6.4km from
where the Cross stood for more than eleven centuries on a remote hillside
over looking the Strath.
In the 1990s the Cross which measurer 9.5ft/2.9m and weighs nearly two
tons was removed to Edinburgh for restoration after which it was displayed
in the National Museum for three years before returning "home." While in
Edinburgh the Cross was carefully examined. Among several findings, the
worn inscription on the back was identified as the Latin for "Constantine
son of Fergus" who was the first king to rule over Pictland and Dal Riata,
the Scots kingdom in Argyll, around the beginning of the 9th century.
It is in the care of Historic Scotland and stewards are available on site
seven days a week in the summer season to answer any questions.
Thanks to The Clan Gregor Society Newsletter, Mo Dhachaidh, 2 Braehead,
Alloa, Clacks, FK10 2EW, Scotland, United Kingdom,
http://www.clangregor.org.
Do you have information of the Scots involved in the battle of the
Alamo?
BBC Radio Scotland is currently putting the finishing touches to a
four-part documentary on the Scots involvement in the Battle of the Alamo
1836.
Producer and presenter Bruce MacGregor is looking for anyone who has a
connection with one of the most famous Alamo defenders - the piper John
McGregor. Any help on this subject would be gratefully received.
Contact
brucemac@another.com, or call at 01463 238070, BBC at 01463 720 720,
or on mobile at 0775 370 9180.
Did you know that you can receive a memorial certificate for your
veteran ancestor?
Did you know that you can receive a memorial certificate for your veteran
ancestor, signed by the President of the United States?
The Office of Presidential Correspondence prepares the certificates, after
coordination with the Veterans Administration.
The first step is to have the V.A. verify your ancestors service record.
Your letter should begin: "This is a request for information about a
relative's military service, which will be used to request a Presidential
Memorial Certificate."
The request should be mailed to Veterans Administration Regional Office,
1301 Clay Street, Suite 1300 North, Oakland, CA 94612-5209, Attention:
Adjudication Division .
The Georgia Archives lecture series will be temporarily suspended
The Georgia Archives Lunch and Learn Lecture series will be temporarily
suspended until July 2003 due to the move to the new building in Morrow.
Details about the new building and an updated construction calendar can be
found on the web site at
www.georgiaarchives.org.
The historic census web site crashes
A web site offering a glimpse of life in the United Kingdom 100 years ago
crashed after more than 1 million people tried to log on within hours of
its launch. More servers were brought in to meet the demand.
The 1901 online census at
www.pro.gov.uk, which lists names, ages, addresses and even mental
health records of 32 million people who lived in England and Wales, ground
to a halt following it's launch.
Included in the 1901 list are "music hall artist" Charles Chaplin, author
J.R.R. Tolkien, and French painter Claude Monet. When working, it enables
people researching their family trees to work from home rather than travel
to London to access the records.
It is the first time a British census has gone online; the 1891 census
survey is to follow.
Thanks to CNN.com, January 3, 2002 via The Agnewsletter, 8904 Woodlawn
Dr., Granbury, TX 76049.
The color restrictions of the Scottish flag is denied
An attempt by the Scottish National Party to persuade the Government to
make legal restrictions on the color of blue in the Scottish Flag failed
to come to a conclusion recently. It was planned to define the color used
by manufacturers since there is no existing law, the white Saltire or St.
Andrews Cross appears against shades of blue that range from dark royal
blue to light sky blue. Many deem that the correct shade is sky blue since
the inspiration for the design came from a cloud formation appearing above
an ancient battlefield of Scots victory, according to old accounts.
Although the Parliament has authority to stipulate the color of the
national flag, the legislators declined to take a vote on the issue, since
a new legal definition would make people who currently own flags with the
wrong color in violation of the proposed law. Those with legislative or
legal experience likely wonder if Scotland does not provide protection
against ex post facto situations.
Thanks to The Border Line, 125 Briar Cliff Road, Durham, NC 27707-2225.
The MacLeod Clan Chief has sold the Cuillins
The MacLeod Clan Chief has sold the Cuillins Mountain property to an
undisclosed American business man, it was reported in an article in The
Scottish Banner, October issue.
The purchase price also was not disclosed. The original asking price was
10 million pounds for the large mountain range on the Isle of Skye. It was
need to make immediate repairs to Dunvegan Castle, ancestral home of the
MacLeod Chiefs for over 400 years.
Chief John MacLeod made the announcement unexpectedly on a regional
television show as he discussed the need for six million pounds to save
Dunvegan from becoming a ruin.
The property has been on the market for two years and rumors speculated
that Ted Turner, American Television magnate, was negotiating the
purchase. Mr. Turner then held $6 billion in a media stock which has since
dwindled to $1 billion. It was revealed that the purchaser is not a public
figure, and one who has visited the mountain property several time
recently.
Thanks to Thanks to The Border Line, 125 Briar Cliff Road, Durhan, NC
27707-2225. Royal
Welsh Fusiliers medal dontated to the Odom Library
Mr. Jack Lamken has dontated a Royal Welsh Fusilier medal to the Odom
Library and gives us this story to go with it.
Before the invasion the fellow that wore this metal was doing police work
and was in the counter intelligent Corp. We worked a lot together, this
was a big estate. We were to keep everyone in and everyone out and watch
for Germans trying to come in.
His name was Butcher os the night before he left he gave this to me. I
know this medal meant a lot to him. Well the next day early morning his
outfit was the first to invade into France. They were know as the "Tiny to
TA," well they didn't make it. Everyone was lost.
I went in later still doing all kinds of Police work a lot of times worked
alone. Until the Battle of the Bulge. Which never should have happened.
The officers goofed, from the top down, British as well.
The reason I write all this is I would like to give the medal to the Odom
Library in Honor of Butcher.
Clan Graham will be the Honored Guests at the Tacoma Highland Games
The Clan Graham will be the Honored Guests at the Tacoma Highland Games in
Graham, Washington in June 28, 2003. The Clan Graham 2003 Headquarters
will be the Best Western Park Plaza in Payallup.
Some of the Clan Graham activities during the week of the games, June
26-29, 2003, are a reception for Grahams across the U.S. and Canada, two
guided bus tours, a banquet and AGM on June 27 and much more.
For more information contact Sharon Seegers at 360-352-4649, write at 2004
Swanee Place, Olympia, WA 98501-3130, email at
Kthlnf@aol.com or see
the website at
www.clan-graham-society.org.
Dr. Carden Johnston named to American Academy of Pediatrics
In October Dr. Carden Johnston was named to the American Academy of
Pediatrics as president-elect and will sometime next year become
president. He is an emergency room pediatrician in Birmingham, Alabama at
the Children's hospital. Dr. Johnston won the using the platform to
provide for uninsured children automatic health coverage for every child
born and emphazises preventive care. He was received his medical degree at
the University of Alabama.
The Monster in the Mailbox is now available!
T.E. Watson, the author of I Wanna Iguana, is proud to annouce that his
newest book, The Monster in the Mailbox, is now available. You can order
your copies at
www.tewatsononline.com/ordering.html.
African American Family Reunion Conference and Exposition to be held in
March 2003
The thirteenth annual African American family reunion conference and
exposition will be held in Columbia, Maryland at the Columbia Sheraton,
which is just minutes from Baltimore.
For more information about the conference contact Dr. Ione Vargus at
215-204-6244, email at
ivargus@temple.edu, or check out the web site at
www.pathfinderstravel.com.
The Selkirk Settlers to celebrate 200th
anniversary
This year marks the 200th Anniversary of the arrival of the Selkirk
Settlers to the community of Belfast on Prince Edward Island. The "Selkirk
Settlers" were a group of Scottish colonists brought to Prince Edward
Island in 1803 by Thomas Douglas, the 5th Earl of Selkirk.
These Highland men and women sailed on three ships: the Polly, the Dykes,
and the Oughton. The Polly arrived on August 7th, the Dykes (on which Lord
Selkirk traveled) disembarked on August 9th, and the Oughton arrived on
the 27th. About 400 of the approximate 800 colonists brought by Lord
Selkirk settled in the Belfast area. Most of these settlers had been
passengers on the ship Polly.
From August 7th through August 10th, the Belfast Historical Society, in
conjunction with the Caledonain Club, will host the 200th Anniversary and
the Annual Highland Games at the Lord Selkirk Provincial Park in Eldon.
Over this four day extended weekend, planned activities include: genealogy
workshops and lectures, displays and exhibits, concerts, traditional
highland athletic competitions, piping competitions, reenactments of the
Selkirk Settlers arrival, highland dance competitions, guest speakers, and
kilted classic golf tournaments.
For additional information go to
http://www.islandregister.com/skye/skye2003.html, or write to Linda
Jean Nicholson MacKenzie, Event Coordinator, Belfast Historical Society,
RR1, Belfast, PE C0A 1A0, Canada or call 902-659-2209. |
