Thursday, August 31, 2017

FamilySearch Digital Records Access Replacing Microfilm - Update

Salt Lake City, Utah (August 30, 2017 Update) - Thursday, September 7, 2017, marks the closing of an 80-year era of historic records access to usher in a new, digital model. FamilySearch is discontinuing its microfilm circulation services in concert with its commitment to make billions of the world’s historic records readily accessible digitally online. As its remaining microfilms are digitized, FamilySearch has provided additional information to users of its historic microfilm program.

FamilySearch, a global leader in historic records preservation and access, began microfilming historic records in 1938. Advancements in technology have enabled it to be more efficient, making an unbelievable tide of digital images of historic records accessible much quicker online and to a far greater customer base.

FamilySearch released a list of helpful facts and tips to help patrons better navigate the transition from microfilm to digital.

QUICK FACTS AND TIPS

  • Patrons can still order microfilms online until Thursday, September 7, 2017.
  • After film ordering ends, if customers need access to a particular film yet to be digitized, they can express interest to have it added to the priority digitization list by contacting FamilySearch Support (Toll Free: 1-866-406-1830).
  • All of the microfilm rented by patrons in the past 5 years have now been digitized by FamilySearch—over 1.5 million microfilms (ca. 1.5 billion images).
  • The remaining microfilms are being digitally scanned at a rate of 1,000 films per day and are projected to be complete by 2020.

FamilySearch Digital Records Access Replacing Microfilm

Salt Lake City, Utah (June 26, 2017) - FamilySearch, a world genealogy leader and nonprofit, announced today its plans to discontinue its 80-year-old microfilm distribution service. The transition is the result of significant progress made in FamilySearch’s microfilm digitization efforts and the obsolescence of microfilm technology. The last day for ordering microfilm will be August 31, 2017. Online access to digital images of the world's historic records allows FamilySearch to service more people around the globe, faster and more efficiently. 

A global leader in historic records preservation and access, FamilySearch and its predecessors began using microfilm in 1938, amassing billions of the world’s genealogical records in its collections from over 200 countries. Why the shift from microfilm to digital? Diane Loosle, Director of the Patron Services Division said, "Preserving historic records is only one half of the equation. Making them easily accessible to family historians and researchers worldwide when they need them is the other crucial component."

Loosle noted that FamilySearch will continue to preserve the master copies of its original microfilms in its Granite Mountain Records Vault as added backup to the digital copies online.

As the Internet has become more accessible to people worldwide over the past two decades, FamilySearch made the decision to convert its preservation and access strategy to digital. No small task for an organization with 2.4 million rolls of microfilm in inventory and a distribution network of over 5,000 family history centers and affiliate libraries worldwide.

It began the transition to digital preservation years ago. It not only focused on converting its massive microfilm collection, but also in replacing its microfilm cameras in the field. All microfilm cameras have been replaced with over 300 specialized digital cameras that significantly decrease the time required to make historic records images accessible online.

FamilySearch has now digitally reproduced the bulk of its microfilm collection—over 1.5 billion images so far—including the most requested collections based on microfilm loan records worldwide. The remaining microfilms should be digitized by the end of 2020, and all new records from its ongoing global efforts are already using digital camera equipment.

Digital image collections can be accessed today in three places at FamilySearch.org. Using the Search feature, you can find them in Records (check out the Browse all published collections link), Books, and the Catalog. For additional help, see Finding Digital Images of Records on FamilySearch.org.
Transitioning from microfilm to digital creates a fun opportunity for FamilySearch's family history center network. Centers will focus on simplified, one-on-one experiences for patrons, and continue to provide access to relevant technology, popular premium subscription services, and restricted digital record collections not available to patrons from home.

Centers and affiliate libraries will coordinate with local leaders and administrators to manage their current microfilm collections on loan from FamilySearch, and determine when to return films that are already published online.



Monday, August 7, 2017

Find A Grave is finally moving to its new site/look!


Just posted an update this morning to a Find a Grave memorial. When I clicked on the link to check it our, the link in the email message they sent me took me to the "new" Find-A-Grave website. There is a yellow bar across the top of the memorial I was looking at that said, "Preview Note: You can use this new version of Find A Grave to make changes on existing and new memorials. Back to the old site." That last sentence gave me the option to go back to the old site, but my experience with Ancestry related sites is this won't last long. So we get over the AncestryDNA setup changes, the new changes with MyHeritage acquiring Legacy software, and now Ancestry is moving Find A Grave to its new site/look. Oh just wonderful. If you don't want something to change, wait 15 minutes and it is guaranteed to change or just take one of my classes. ;-) So what is next, another AncestryDNA change, new tool or report graphic? My money is on the latter. 

Sunday, August 6, 2017

US National Cemetery Interment Control Forms

Arlington National Cemetery

While doing some research on one of my three great aunt's husbands this afternoon, I ran across a set of military records I have not seen before (now there is a shocker). If you had someone who was buried in any of the "US National Cemeteries" between 1928-1962, they now have the images from the US National Cemetery Interment Control Forms at Ancestry. These forms are a gold mine of family information. You must have an Ancestry sub or access to the Ancestry Library collection to access it. The link is http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2590. Good hunting de Larry Van Horn

Oh yes, this is my great aunt Marguerite Lillian Van Horn-Black-Warner-Lamb I was researching. She divorced the first two. She was the daughter of Dr. William Law Van Horn and Mattie Parry Mallory. She was born 8 Jan 1882 in Columbia, Caldwell Parish, Louisiana, and died 20 Oct 1982 in Pinellas County, Florida.Her Find A Grave Memorial number is 21129411.



Alphabetical Statehood Dates




State & Statehood Date

Alabama
December 14, 1819
Alaska
January 03, 1959
Arizona
February 14, 1912
Arkansas
June 15, 1836
California
September 09, 1850
Colorado
August 01, 1876
Connecticut
January 09, 1788
Delaware
December 07, 1787
Florida
March 03, 1845
Georgia
January 02, 1788
Hawaii
August 21, 1959
Idaho
July 03, 1890
Illinois
December 03, 1818
Indiana
December 11, 1816
Iowa
December 28, 1846
Kansas
January 29, 1861
Kentucky
June 01, 1792
Louisiana
April 30, 1812
Maine
March 15, 1820
Maryland
April 28, 1788
Massachusetts
February 06, 1788
Michigan
January 26, 1837
Minnesota
May 11, 1858
Mississippi
December 10, 1817
Missouri
August 10, 1821
Montana
November 08, 1889
Nebraska
March 01, 1867
Nevada
October 31, 1864
New Hampshire
June 21, 1788
New Jersey
December 18, 1787
New Mexico
January 06, 1912
New York
July 26, 1788
North Carolina
November 21, 1789
North Dakota
November 02, 1889
Ohio
March 01, 1803
Oklahoma
November 16, 1907
Oregon
February 14, 1859
Pennsylvania
December 12, 1787
Rhode Island
May 29, 1790
South Carolina
May 23, 1788
South Dakota
November 02, 1889
Tennessee
June 01, 1796
Texas
December 29, 1845
Utah
January 04, 1896
Vermont
March 04, 1791
Virginia
June 25, 1788
Washington
November 11, 1889
West Virginia
June 20, 1863
Wisconsin
May 29, 1848
Wyoming
July 10, 1890
(Gayle Van Horn-Gayle's Family History: https://gayle-family-history.blogspot.com/)

What's in a Nickname ?

Abby Abigail 
Addie Adelina 
Aggie,also Nancy (Scotish usage) Agnes, Agatha 
Allie Alice, Althea 
Alma Almarinda
Amy Amelia 
Annette Ann, Anne 
Axey Achsah 
Babs, Barb, Babbie Barbara 
Becky Rebecca 
Bee Beatrice, Beatrix 
Belle, Bella Arabella, Isabel 
Berty Bertha,Roberta 
Betty, Bess, Betsy, Beth Elizabeth 
Biddy Obedience, Bridget
Cam Camilia 
Candy Candace
Carrie Caroline 
Cassie Cassandra
Cathy, Kate, Kathy, Kit, Kay, Kitty Catherine
Chrissie, Christie, Chris Christina 
Cicely, Cis Cecelia 
Cinda, Cindy Lucinda, Cinderella
Clara Clarissa 
Clemmie Clementine 
Collete Nicolette 
Connie Constance 
Corley Cornelia 
Creasy, Crecy Lucretia 
Deb, Debby Deborah 
Delia Cordelia 
Della Adelina 
Dicey, Diza Eudicia, Boadicea 
Dona Caledonia 
Dot, Dolly Dorothy 
TR>  Dotie Theordosia, Doris,
Dorothy, Odette,
Delores, Dora
Drucie Drucilla 
Eddie, Edy Edwina, Edith 
Effie Euphemia 
Ella Eleanor, Gabriella 
Ellen, Elle Eleanor, Helen 
Elsie Alice, Elsbeth 
Emma Erminia 
Essie Esther 
Ethel Ethelinda 
Eudora, Dora Theodora 
Eunie, Nicey, Nicy Eugenia, Eunice 
Eura or Ura  Eura or Ura Eureka 
Eva Evangeline, Evaline 
Fanny, Frank Frances 
Flo, Flossie, Flora Florence 
Freddie Fredericka 
Gail Abigail
Genie, Gene  Eugenia
Gertie Gertrude
Gincey, Jenny Jane
Greta Margaret
Grissel Griselda
Gussia Augusta
Gwen Gwendolyn
Hallie Mahalia
Hatty, Hattie  Harriett
Hepsy Hephzibah
Hetty Henrietta
Hulda Mahulda
Janet, Jeanne, Jennet, Jenny Jane, Virginia
Jess Jessie
Jessie Jessica
Josie, Jo Josepha, Josephine
Judy Judith
Juliet Julia
Karen Karenhappuch
Kate, Kathy, Kay, Kitty K(C)atherine
Leitha Alletha, Tellitha
Lena Helena, Magdalena
Letty Lettice, Letitia
Lexie Alexa, Alexandra
Lila Delilah
Lina Selina
Linda Malinda, Ethelinda
Livvy Lavinia, Olivia
Liz, Liza, Lizzy, Libby Elizabeth, Eliza
Lotta, Lottie  Charlotte
Lou, Louie, Lu, Lulu  Louisa, Louise
Lucy Lucinda
Lula Tallulah
Madge, Margie  Margaret, Margery, Marjorie
Mae, May Mary
Mag, Maggy  Margaret
Mandy Amanda
Milly Emily, Amelia, Millicent, Mildred
Minnie Mary, Minerva
Modlin Magdalena - German Usage
Molly, Polly Mary
Mona Desdemona, Ramona
Myra Almira, Palmyra
Nabby Abigail
Nan, Nancy, Nanny  Agnes - Scotish usage
Nan, Nancy, Nanny  Ann, Anne, Anna - English usage
Neecy Permecia
Nell, Nelly Eleanor, Ellen, Helen, Penelope
Nerva, Nerve Minerva
Netty Antionette, Henriells, Joannette, Zan(n)etta 
Nicey Eunice
Nina Ann, Anna, Penina
Nita Anita , Juanita
Noma Naomi
Nona Winona
Nora Eleanor, Honora, Leonora
Ola Viola, Tuliola
Ollie Olivia, Ollvine
Pam Pamala
Patsy, Patty, Pat  Martha, Patricia
Peg, Peggy Margaret
Phemie Euphemia
Pheny Josephine
Polly, Poll Mary, Paulina
Prissy Pricilla
Prudy, Prue Prudance
Reba Rebecca
Rena Serena, Irena, Arrena
Rita Marguerita
Roxie Roxanne
Sadie, Sally, Sal  Sarah, Sara
Sam, Sammy Samantha
Sandra Cassandra
Sheba Bathsheba
Sillah Drusiliah, Drucilla, Priscilla
Sinah Arcena
Sis, Sisley, Sesaley Cecilia
Sophy Sophia
Sue, Suke, Suky, Susie  Susan, Susannah
Tabby Tabitha
Tammy Tamira
Tamzine Thomasine
Tempy Temperance
Terry, Tess Theresa
Theny Bethena
Thursa, Thursday, Thurze Theresa
Tilda, Tilly Mathilda, Matilda
Tina Albertina, Christina
Tish Letitia
Trix, Trixy Beatrix, Beatrice
Trudy Gertrude
Vergie Virginia
Viney, Vinnie Lavinia
Willie Williamana, any femine form of William
Wilmett, Wilmot  Wilhelmina
Winnie Winifred
Xina Christina
Zilla Zerilda, Luzilla, Barzilla
Zoey Zoe
 Originally compiled by Ernest Connally and Pauline Jones Gandrud, added to by Joan Wright and others.
(Gayle Van Horn-Gayle's Family History: https://gayle-family-history.blogspot.com/)