Gente di Mare Italian Genealogy

Archive for the ‘Online Research Guides’ Category

In an email I received this morning:

View the 1911 census for free on findmypast.co.uk

We know what a brilliant resource the 1911 census is for any family historian, so we’re giving it to you for free!

Until 18 November 2012, view a 1911 census transcript for free on findmypast.co.uk – this usually costs 10 credits.

We’ve also drastically reduced the cost of viewing an original 1911 census image – you’ll pay just 5 credits instead of 30.

There’s more good news: we always strive to offer our customers value for money, so when this offer ends on 18 November, we’ll permanently reduce the price of viewing the 1911 census to 5 credits for a transcription and 5 credits for an original image.

Print PDF

Footnote announced 18 August it would be changing it’s name to Fold3 in it’s commitment to offering the finest and most comprehensive collection of U.S. Military records available on the internet.

Why Fold3?

Fold3 will be adding millions of U.S. military records as it continues to not only host existing records but expand it’s military collection.

From their newsletter:

“Traditionally, the third fold in a flag-folding ceremony honors and remembers veterans for their sacrifice in defending their country and promoting peace in the world.”

Print PDF

Frequently I get asked the correct way to source a document when entered into a genealogy software program. Most programs offer in their ‘Help’ link examples of how to do this but often you would need to go back and refer to it each time to enter a record to ensure you have completely it correctly.
Recently I read an article in Family Tree Magazine which offers a downloadable Source Documentation Cheat Sheet in PDF format that takes some of the guesswork out of how to do with by providing several useful examples. I have placed mine in the front sleeve of a binder I have which contain additional Research and other genealogy related essential charts .

Print PDF

Handwritten Marriage Act 1873

Old Italian record can be difficult to read at first glance – especially if you have no knowledge of the language or are expecting it to be similar to American records. They can be quite detailed and some, like the marriage record posted courtesy of Cosenza Exchange are completely hand written.

Example of a Standard Birth Act 1888

But most Italian vital records are similar to the birth act posted on the right where a standard form is used and the remaining information is filled in as the event occurred. Because these forms were so standard, much of the *important* information is easy to pick out once you know where to look.

There are several great sites available to help you decipher the old handwriting and Family Search even offers a three part online course for this on their site. Each course is between 25 and 30 minutes long and covers The Italian Alphabet, Italian Words and Phrases and Reading Italian Records.

Another excellent site I really enjoyed going through is Italian Family Search. There are several examples of vital records and Italian Handwriting sheets available for download and which make a great reference guide.

Print PDF

Finally my FHC has started their own blog Toronto Family History Centre Information which is great since it not only has all the newsletters on it but it has a Resources tab which lists all the microfilms the Center has on permanent loan. Just scroll down to the List of All Resources and you can download the pdf file. There are currently over 10,000 different resources available at the Center covering a very wide variety of Countries.

The newsletters are also available for download by clicking on the Bulletin and Week Number you are interested in viewing.

Print PDF

FamilySearch and Family Family Tree University are hosting a webinar on Tuesday, April 20, at 7 p.m. EST.

Learn how to use FamilySearch to find your ancestors!

Thanks to an active research and development department, the FamilySearch website is growing and changing quickly. In this webinar, you’ll learn how to use FamilySearch and the FamilySearch Record Search pilot to find your ancestors.

In this one-hour Webinar presented by Diane Haddad, Managing Editor of Family Tree Magazine, you’ll learn:

• Searching the databases on FamilySearch

• Using the FamilySearch Record Search Pilot

• Finding historical books

Read full article…..

Print PDF

Footnote has decided to extend  free access to it’s US Census Collection until April 30, 2010.  You will have full access to the entire collection until then and if you find you like using Footnote, then you can subscribe now for an Annual Membership for only $49.99!

Footnote - Free Access to US Census Collection Extended

Print PDF

The Family History Library in Salt Lake City Utah now offers free online Research Classes to help you get started in tracing your roots. Some classes are broken down into 2 or 3 lessons about 30 minutes long each. Others, have only one class that is about an hour long. Videos can be paused and resumed at your convenience so if the phone rings or you need to step away for a minute you don’t need to worry about missing something.

There are basic tips on how to research using records for several countries including a 58 minute class on Basic Italian Research. The video file is a bit large for downloading so I would recommend using a fast connection. There are some great handouts that you can print out as well that highlight key points of the class and list some interesting links to visit.

Although quite basic, the video is definitely worth watching.

You can read more about the online classes on the Article posted on Family Search on 12 Mar 2010 and written by Paul Nauta – FamilySearch Public Affairs Manager, – Family History Library Classes Now Available on Internet

Print PDF