Next Meeting November 26, 2019 Meeting at 7:00pm
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Mark your calendars and join us at any and all of these FHIG meetings on 4th Tuesdays in 2020: We'll meet again on: Take December off! January 28, 2020 "The NYG&B and the Next 150 Years" with Susan R. Miller, NYG&B Outreach Director February 25 March 24 April 28 May 26 June 23 July 28 August 25 September 22 October 27 November 24 Even in 2020, no FHIG in December!
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I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual. Henry David Thoreau
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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 very best place to find information about upcoming and past FHIG meetings, news and notes about related topics, and ideas, tips and suggestions for your own successful genealogy searches. As Thanksgiving approaches and many of us gather with family members, may you find renewed interest in those relatives, known and unknown. I am thankful for YOU and for this group which provides genealogy help and support to many. -- Ruth
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Tuesday, November 26 with Lisa Kerr Ilowite A follow up to Lisa's 2017 presentation, "Floyd Eshbaugh: Illegitimate Son to Deadbeat Dad." Thanks to Jim Gunnis, who identified what happened to Floyd after 1917, we now have many documents that chronicle his continued bad behavior and its effects on later generations. If you liked hearing about Floyd's earlier exploits, you'll love to learn about his later years and his descendants! Lisa gave Ruth permission to revise the description of this meeting as she wished. Nothing can "revise" Floyd's life events . . . !
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About Lisa Kerr Ilowite Lisa Kerr Ilowite is a research scientist and experienced social history researcher who has successfully applied her scientific research skills to genealogy for over twenty years now, having done research in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and England. She is a member of the International Black Sheep Society of Genealogists, the DAR, and First Families of Western Pennsylvania. This will be Lisa's 11th appearance as FHIG speaker in November! She always has an intriguing view on how findings from vital registers and other genealogy sources can be combined with historical information that gives context and perspective to the account of those who preceded her in the family tree. A perfect presentation for the week AFTER Thanksgiving. | |
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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@BernardsLibrary.org
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The North Jersey History and Genealogy Center at the Morristown & Morris Township Library James Lewis, Head of the Center, gave FHIG participants a terrific overview of the many, many resources available quite nearby.
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James described several databases specifically. He and others in the audience shared hints for their use: JewishData.com (available in-house at The Center and from home with a Morristown & Morris Township Library card, the link in this newsletter is to the public site) One of the largest International Jewish Genealogical Resources. Includes Jewish cemetery photographs, digitized Jewish Blue Books and public records Also a Yahrtziet calendar calculator to establish the Hebrew date of death to facilitate prayers on an anniversary of death. FindMyPast.com (available in-house at The Center, the link in this newsletter is to the public site) British, Irish and Australian record sets, and US census records Jim G. said he'd found FindMyPast "kinda like Ancestry for the UK" and suggested several ideas for making the most of it: - He found some really ancient BDM records (Births, Marriages & Deaths) in FindMyPast, with images of actual parchment certificates in a number of cases.
- There was a session at RootsTech2018 on using the newspapers in FindMyPast - you can watch and learn from it here now.
- We think of FindMyPast as a perfect source for British and Irish records but there are a good number of US Archdiocese record collection included also. Many of these life events may not be reflected in civil records.
When examining US census information it can be very helpful to really understand what questions were asked in that particular year. For that, see William Dollarhide’s book - The Census Book: A Genealogist’s Guide to Federal Census Facts. Available at Morristown and Morris Township Library, Bernards Township Library and as a digital copy within HeritageQuest, found through the "What you should know about the Census" link on the BROWSE page.
Morristown and Morris Township Library has MANY books that explain immigration to the U.S. - for example Germans to America, Italians to America, Irish Famine immigrants, etc. The Library also maintains a large collection of City Directories, some digitized and many in print. A fine source of additional detail about family members, associates and neighbors. # # # # # # #
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During James Lewis' presentation on 10/22, several cell phone cameras were snapping pictures of his marvelously detailed slides from the audience. This brought to mind discussions about the propriety of recording a presenter's work, including: The Legal Genealogist (Sept. 18, 2018). The very direct and pertinent reminders in her post and the informative comments that follow it are of great importance. Technology makes it all too easy for us to become unmannerly and even act illegally. Educate yourself to be 'in the know.' Just don't do it!
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