Next Meeting June 26, 2018
Meeting at 7:00pm
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Mark your calendars and join us at any and all of these FHIG meetings on Tuesdays in 2018: We'll meet again on: July 24 August 28 September 25 October 23 November 27 Even in 2018, no FHIG in December!
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The Family History Interest Group (FHIG) at Bernards Township Library aims to inform, inspire and encourage you as you seek ways to learn about the life, loves and relationships of past family members. This newsletter is the place to find information about upcoming and past FHIG meetings, news and notes about related topics, and ideas, tips and suggestions for your own genealogy searches. -- Ruth
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a presentation by Jim Gunnis Tuesday, June 26 Adoption has, in the past, been a significant hurdle for many who wish to learn their genealogical history. Jim Gunnis knew his father was an adoptee, and long ago obtained his 1930 original birth certificate which showed a father and mother. Through inquiry and validation methods, Jim was certain these were his genetic grandparents. Long an experienced and passionate genealogist, he'd identified the family lines for his father’s father back to the mid 1600s in specific areas of Switzerland and Germany, just one of the many family connections he has researched. Jim had his DNA tested over a decade ago, and as others were tested over the years he has continued to learn about his family. Imagine his surprise when he discovered he had no match at all to someone who should be his cousin through that Swiss German paternal grandfather, and quite curiously he had a strong ‘second cousin’ match to a woman with whom he apparently had nothing further in common. Come to the FHIG meeting on June 26 and hear how Jim and his siblings unraveled this family mystery and properly identified his grandfather with the help of today’s DNA testing and matching services. As a hint: a similar methodology was used in the recent headline news stories of law enforcement cracking cold cases using DNA. This is an opportunity to gain a valuable new perspective on DNA for genealogy, and what you might do with the DNA results you get. You’ll learn or better understand some key concepts, for example the three major types of DNA tests (autosomal, Y DNA, and mtDNA) and the importance of centimorgans. You’ll see the value of tests from multiple companies and testing multiple relatives, and why the control data of different DNA testing companies might skew your ethnic results. Jim Gunnis will be the primary presenter for this meeting but two other FHIG members with considerable expertise in DNA for genealogy, Russ Worthington and Dave Marr, will be on hand with him to answer questions and supplement your learning. This meeting will be richly informative. Please plan to attend. All are welcome!
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About Jim Gunnis Jim and his wife, Jan Gunnis, long-time members of FHIG, have been researching their family trees since 1979. Now retired from Avaya for three years, Jim also has a deep passion for military history. He has several times been a popular presenter to FHIG in the past. He and Jan have enjoyed five genealogy research trips to Salt Lake City, as well as to Germany, Italy, England, Scotland and Ireland. Jim has not only followed his own and Jan's family lines but has also assisted others in uncovering family information that had been lost. His recent adventures working with DNA results have given him much to ponder and excited him once again about genealogy.
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The Family History Interest Group (FHIG) meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month except December from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in the Program Room on the lower level at Bernards Township Library.
Coffee and tea (and cookies or snacks if participants bring them!) is usually served at 6:30 pm and participants are invited to socialize. Our coffee and tea arrangements are $elf $upporting -- If you enjoy a cup please consider dropping a quarter or two in the basket provided.
FHIG meetings are FREE and all are welcome, whether they have been previously involved in family history research or not. No prior experience in tracing genealogical roots is necessary. The Group provides opportunities for those interested in family history and genealogy to share information and experiences and be more successful in their search.
For more information please call the Library at 908.204.3031, ext.4 or email RLufkin@Bernards.org
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What a pleasure it was to have Russ Worthington give us an in-depth introduction to Fold3, the genealogy database that specializes in historical military records. Thanks to those who contributed questions for Russ to research during the presentation. Russ reminded us to: - Start by viewing the offerings in the Training Center, brief video introductions that can assist with Searching technique.
- Deciding on a specific question we are trying to answer can help determine whether we are best served by Browsing a particular resource or entering what we already know to Search.
- Reading the description of each specific resource can tell us what information was originally gathered, from whom and for what purpose.
Not everything will be in Fold3 or any other particular database. Russ showed us several other useful resources for military information: All of these can be viewed in the Bernards Township Library!
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Fold3 Library Edition is available in the Library for anyone to use and from home for Bernards Township Library cardholders.
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Presentations on Genetic Genealogy/DNA, the New jersey State Archives, House Histories, World War 1, and techniques to help you advance your research.
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The Morris Area Genealogy Society is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a full day genealogy program featuring: Judy G. Russell, The Legal Genealogist
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A reminder about polite behavior . . .
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At the May meeting Russ, who is a frequent attendee and presenter at genealogy conferences and meetings, offered a gentle reminder about the use of cell phones and cameras at such meetings - including FHIG meetings. - Do not photograph the slides/images while attending a presentation/meeting; they are the creative property of the speaker. You may take notes or ask the speaker if you wish to have a full copy of a certain section.
- Take photos and post to social media only with the prior permission of the speaker.
- Silence cell phones and do not answer calls during the lecture.
Russ and I both think FHIG provides a very professional audience. He tells me "its always an honor and pleasure to speak to the group." Thank you for that!
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