Chat Log 3-9-03 Topic: Doing Research on the Internet Moderated by Mike Sutton
Mike Clan C3- Greetings Mark and Edna!
Hello Everyone, Sorry I'm late.
Karen Gaughan B2-Hi You can take over now OK.
Karen Gaughan B2 Hi Edna Welcome
Jo Clan C Do I need to add my name before each message?
Edna (no clan) I had a little trouble getting in but by backing out and reentering I made it.
Mike Clan C3 Glad you all made it. No, Jo you don't need to type your name. No, it is done automatically
Karen Gaughan B2 Good great to have you. No Jo you dont have to type your name\
Mike Clan C3We had decided to have a chat tonight abouit using the Internet for your research. Are are ready?
Edna (no clan) Yes As I'll ever be ^_^
Mike Clan C3 I wasn't exactly sure how to approach this but I'm going to try to guide us through talking about several sources.
Mike Clan C3 These are some of my favorites and the ones that have been the most fruitful in my research on line. Don't forget about some of the problems as well.
Mike Clan C3 I agree there are huge problems with documentation on the internet and we will talk about that.
Jo Clan C Mike, what I sent you is one page of how I like to keep my records by family.
Mike Clan C3 Jo, I didn't get to open your material yet so I haven't seen how it's formatted. But I will!
Jo Clan C That way it has where the documentation came from also.
Karen Gaughan B2 OK Mike I see that several other researchers are on line but I dont know
Karen Gaughan B2if they know how to get to chat. I just invited them.
Karen Gaughan B2 You have our attention Mike Why not start. We will listen and take notes
Mike Clan C3 Ok, the first source I want to talk about is Message boards on USGenWeb
Edna (no clan) Will this session be saved and placed on the site as the last one was? Edna Yes.
Mike Clan C3USGENWeb.org has a message board for each county in the US and for many surnames and locations.
Mike Clan C3I"ve found these to be very helpful to connect to other researchers that are interested in an area that I have need in.
Jo Clan CThat is so great for those of us who don't have time to travel.
Mike Clan C3 They've also been helpful to find what resources are in the county. I"m sorry I didn't mean message boards I meant county boards.
Mike Clan C3 Does any body have any questions on how to use the county boards?
[Sun Mar 09 19:19:07 CST 2003] Bruce: Ancestor- John G. hendershot
Edna (no clan) Is USGENWEB.ORG the web address to use to access these.
Jo Clan C I think I have used them & there isn't much available on them for North'd. Co, PA yet.
Mike Clan C3 If you go to http://www.usgenweb.org/index2.html you will find a index Welcome, Bruce
Mike Clan C3 Whenever I find an ancestor from a particular county, I immediatedly go to the USGenWeb site for that county and see what's available.
Jo Clan C Hi, Bruce. Where do you live?
Bruce Bruce Iowa Same here.
Karen Gaughan B2Ok Mike you can continue. OK
Mike Clan C3 Once, I've checked the county site, I then go to the Message board for that site. You can get to the message boards through ancestry.com or rootsweb.com
Mike Clan C3 Rootsweb is one of the best places to go on the net. www.rootsweb.com It is full of great information.
Mike Clan C3 IT's free and awesome and full of info. On a message board you can search for messages about a particular surname that you are interested in.
Mike Clan C3 Anybody got any comments on Rootsweb? or questions? It is difficult to use if you have an unusual surname.
Jo Clan C About how long do your sessions last?
Mike Clan C3No, an unusual name is even better! It's the common names that are a challenge. [Sun Mar 09 19:25:40 CST 2003] Carolyn Clan C has no profile.
Jo Clan C Yeah, like Snyder! Perhaps, but I don't find much data on my name.
Karen Gaughan B2 I agree that common names are difficult and uncommon are great!
Mike Clan C3 It does depend on what people have contributed on that name. Most of what I've found is what I've posted.
Karen Gaughan B2 Hi Carolyn Welcome Mike is giving a lecture right now
Mike Clan C3Rootsweb is mainly information that people have contributed. That's where the next thing comes into in regard to rootsweb.
Mike Clan C3 Rootsweb has a thing called World Connect. This is where you can upload your information to their site and others can have access to it.
Mike Clan C3 Here's the site address: http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/
Jo Clan CHave you added anything?
Mike Clan C3 You need to create a gedcom file on your computer an upload it to their site.
Jo Clan C I think Clan C should enter all our different lines on it.
Mike Clan C3 I did this about 2 years ago and I get contacted often by people who have seen my info and have questions about it.
Mike Clan C3 Your missing out if you haven't put your material on this site.
Mike Clan C3Jo, that may be a good idea to put Clan C's stuff on World Connect or other Clans info.
Mike Clan C3 One thing I really like about World Connect is that it automatically filters out all "living" people from your material so you don't post any one's living info
Mike Clan C3 Any questions about World Connect?
Karen Gaughan B2No it is a great idea. Just remember we must make sure our info is
Edna (no clan) EdnaDo you mark your living relative when converting to gedcom format or let world connect do it all?
Karen Gaughan B2 as correct as possible. Or we lead people down the wrong path
Mike Clan C3 I agree, that documentation is the key to good sharing. Do a good job in that area and it's great
Mike Clan C3 Edna, when you upload it to World connect there is instruction that tells you how to filter out the living automatically, you don't have to mark it yourself.
Jo Clan C How do you create a gedcom file?
Mike Clan C3You also get a password and you can change it at anytime or take it off if you don't like it. YOu have controle of the info.
Jo Clan C I think my computer is freezing up because I can't get anything I write put on.
Mike Clan C3 You create a gedcom with the computer program that you store your info in your computer on.
Mike Clan C3 Each of you shoudl have a computer program on your computer that you store your information in.
Mike Clan C3 Something like Family Tree Maker, Legacy, etc. Each one can create a gedcom I use Family Tree Maker
Edna (no clan) Edna>Ancestry.com has a great new family program called "Ancestrytree" for downloading free. It similar to FTM.
Mike Clan C3 Family Tree Maker is the best I think. I don't have it but I wish I did. There are a lot of good ones though.
Karen Gaughan B2 HR has decided that we should all convert to Family Tree Maker if possible
Jo Clan C I don't have any of those programs because I feel the way I put mine in by families with references is the best way.
Edna (no clan) The new Ancestrytree is great. I have both. There are some features in each that I like better.
Mike Clan C3 If people don't have the funds for Family Tree Maker, there are some good free ones.
Karen Gaughan B2The programs enable us to put ALL documentation and references there also
Mike Clan C3 Jo you can use your format and I'd recommend you try one of the free ones. You can do so much with them, like reports, documentation, etc.
Mike Clan C3Many people have 1-2 programs on their computer, and each has different things it can do.
Karen Gaughan B2 Thats what I like about the programs they have built in reports that pull your
Karen Gaughan B2 information from the program and form all kinds of reports, etc.
Mike Clan C3 Let's talk about another website-The LDS/Mormon site is a must. IT is at http://familysearch.org
Edna (no clan) EdnaAFT is great for 4 generations of report on ancester chart.
Mike Clan C3 Familysearch.org has info that the Mormon church has collected all around the world and that people have donated to them.
Jo Clan C I think my Millenium Edition has One but I haven't tried to figure it out yet.
Edna (no clan) Edna It's the only one I can print an ancestor chart and it come out great.
Karen Gaughan B2 At the last Hendershot Reunion it was decided that we should all
Karen Gaughan B2 try to use Family Tree Maker so we could exchange info more easily.
Mike Clan C3Some people have the misconception that the LDS site is only for Mormon material but it goes way beyond that.
Karen Gaughan B2So if you do decide to buy a program I suggest it be FTM so you can
Karen Gaughan B2 interact with most Hendeshot Researchers Members
Edna (no clan) Edna you can also set it for the Mormon church format.
Mike Clan C3Any questions about the Familysearch.org? Jo Clan C Some of what I'd seen from the mormons was info that was given and not documented & some was wrong! I made a blunder using it one time.
Mike Clan C3 One great addition to the LDS site recently has been the 1880 Census is on there.
Karen Gaughan B2 I have used it and found very helpful info there
Edna (no clan) Edna. Yes, How do you find information beyond the catalog?
Mike Clan C3It's been a while since I've used it I know there IGI stuff is online as well as much much more.
Jo Clan C Well, gotaa run. It's been great talking to everyone.
Mike Clan C3 A few years ago the 1880 census was put on CD's but now it is free on line. IT's awesome!
Edna (no clan) EdnaThis may sound ignorant, but what is IGI?
Karen Gaughan B2Just think how wonderful that is. 1880 Census online. Wow!
Mike Clan C3Does everybody know where to go to get the 1880 Census? No
Karen Gaughan B2 Please tell us OK
Edna (no clan)Edna Not free!
Mike Clan C3Go to http://familysearch.org and yes it is free!!!!!!!
Karen Gaughan B2 It is free right Mike. The Mormons dont charge for their information online
Mike Clan C3 No charge for any of the Mormon material.
Karen Gaughan B2 Once you get to familysearch.org you look for 1880 Census
Mike Clan C3The 1880 material also has the 1881 Canadian Census too. So i fyou have canada research!
Mike Clan C3 Here is the exact page for the 1880 census:
Edna (no clan) EdnaDo they have early church records from churches other then theirs?
Mike Clan C3 http://ww.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE [Sun Mar 09 19:50:18 CST 2003] Barbara Rudy has no profile.
Jo Clan C Hi, Barbara.
Mike Clan C3 Yes they do have other church records, that have sent people all around the country and world .
[Sun Mar 09 19:50:53 CST 2003] Barbara Rudy has no profile.

Karen Gaughan B2Thanks for that Mike I have several people I can send that info to. Hello Barbara
Mike Clan C3 OK, let's talk about ancestry.com
Mike Clan C3 I'm sure most have heard about it. It'a good site but there is a fee to get all their info.
Barbara Rudy Hi everyone sorry I am late. There is some free information.
Karen Gaughan B2Hi Barbara Welcome! Mike is doing a great job here.
Karen Gaughan B2 Just told us how to access free 1880 census online.
Mike just got knocked off.
[Sun Mar 09 19:53:43 CST 2003] Mike Clan C3 has no profile.
Jo Clan C Does anyone know why it kicks you off?
Karen Gaughan B2 Are you back Mike?
Mike Clan C3Sorry, I got bumped. I think my server kicked me off It could be your ISP.
Edna (no clan)Edna I love Ancestry.com. It's a great site. Especially their 1920 and 1930 censuses. That where I get most of the information except for the local county records which are great.
Mike Clan C3 OK, any more questions about ancestry.com
Karen Gaughan B2 Tell us what it costs to search the 1920 and 30 Census Mike Don't forget to mention that they have free 14 day trial periods.
Karen Gaughan B2> Edna what is the cost?
Mike Clan C3> I don't know what it costs for the census stuff. I just have a basic membership which was 60/yr
Karen Gaughan B2> You can only access certain files for free for 14 days I dont think
Karen Gaughan B2> Census are included right?
Edna (no clan)> I think my premiere subcription is $149.
Mike Clan C3> Census are not included in my basic membership
Mike Clan C3> The census stuff is so vital to our research, I'm sure it's worth it!
Karen Gaughan B2> It seems like a lot but when you consider what it costs to go to a parti cular
Karen Gaughan B2> state library all the expenses add up;
Edna (no clan)> But I enrolled in a class on Myfamily.com (part of Ancestry) for $14.95 and you got unlimited access to Ancestry. com for the 6 weeks class.
Karen Gaughan B2> Now there's a loophole. Tell us more Edna!
Mike Clan C3> That sounds like a good way to get instruction and get access.
Edna (no clan)> Edna> They provide you with a special password the the six weeks.
Mike Clan C3> What was the class that you enrolled in?
Karen Gaughan B2> So ...... We must go to Myfamily.com and then what?
Edna (no clan)> And you also get to post your gedcom file on their site for nothing.
Karen Gaughan B2> are there severa;l classes or just one. What one did you take and how
Edna (no clan)> Edna> Basically it taught us how to use Ancestry Family Tree program Which was free.
Karen Gaughan B2> often was it.
Mike Clan C3> Ok, let's talk about another website that's great
Karen Gaughan B2> OK
Mike Clan C3> On Rootsweb there is a free listing of the Social Security records
Edna (no clan)> There are classes on Irish research, etc. Also that where I learned about chat rooms.
Mike Clan C3> It can be found at http://ssdi.rootsweb.com/
Mike Clan C3> Another site that I've found helpful for land records is the Bureau of Land Management
Mike Clan C3> http://glorescords.blm.gov/logon.logon.asp
Barbara Rudy> Do they have New Jersey records?
Mike Clan C3> I can't remember what states are included right now. Go to the site and see. It's not all states but for some it is great.
Barbara Rudy> ok I will do that.
Karen Gaughan B2> tHAT SOUNDS like one I want to use also.
Mike Clan C3> It gives you information on orginal land patents that people applied for .
Mike Clan C3> I've found some Ohio and Illinois records there of my ancestors.
[Sun Mar 09 20:04:55 CST 2003] Edna (no clan): Descendent of b. John 25 May 1784 NJ. I live in IN and like to travel.
Edna (no clan)> Edna> Is there conversation? My screen is blank.
Mike Clan C3> Another way to use the internet for research is to subscribe to the message boards.
Mike Clan C3> When you go out and come back you lose the conversation! I will post the log of the chat on the website later.
Edna (no clan)> Edna> Thanks, Mike
Mike Clan C3> I've found that subscribing to a particular message board is helpful. Many of you are already doing that with the HEndershot list. I also do it for county's that I'm interested in.
Mike Clan C3> Another site that is good is Cyndi's list at http://www.cyndislist.com/
Barbara Rudy> Anybody have any people from York County, PA? I subscribe to state, region and country ones.
Mike Clan C3> Cindi's list is a website of websites. It's full of all kinds of websites. It's worth going to an searching for an area of interest.
Mike Clan C3> Ok those are the main sites that have been really helpful to me. What sites have really been helpful to you that you'd like to share?
Edna (no clan)> Edna> I need to get in touch with you Barbara as I need help with John Hendershot b. 25 May 1784 in NJ. WEH's book is not entirely correct. I have had some success with the Common Threads site.
Edna (no clan)> The Illinois state site for Marriage prior to 1900 and Illinois veteran records is excellent.
Mike Clan C3> Mark, what is the Common Threads site's address?
Mike Clan C3> Edna, do you know the address for the Illinois site? http://gensource.com/common
Edna (no clan)> I knew someone would ask the question. I forgot but I will post on the Hendershot list.
Mike Clan C3> Here is a more accurate Social Security Index address: http://ssdi.genelogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi That is where I made my first connection with the Hershey family
Mike Clan C3> I just checked on the Illinios site. I agree it's a great site the address is:
Mike Clan C3> http:www.sos.state.il.us/cgi-bin/archives/marriage.s
[Sun Mar 09 20:14:47 CST 2003] Edna has no profile.
Mike Clan C3> The other thing that I'd like to recommend in regard to Internet research is to make your own website.
Mike Clan C3> It may sound beyond you but It's not that easy.
Edna> I could use a source to tell me how to do this. Edna
Mike Clan C3> I meant to say it's not that hard:)
Karen Gaughan B2> Here are a couple of mine
Karen Gaughan B2> genforum.genealogy.com/hendershot/ Karen Gaughan B2> and Family Tree Maker offers a free one with their softeware. Karen Gaughan B2> www.familyhistory.com/
Edna> Do they give you the instructions as to how to set one up. Edna
Mike Clan C3> I built the Hendershot site after I bought the "Websites for Dummies" book. It was a great step by step process.
Karen Gaughan B2> and http//boards.ancestry.com/mbexec?htx=board&r=rw&p=surnames.h endershot
Edna> Edna? Great I get one.
Mike Clan C3> I'd be glad to coach anyone that is interested in building one.
Mike Clan C3> It's great to be able to post your material and pictures and other things. You meet many people who are interested in your line that way. Yes, it is very easy to use and they walk you through everything. Edna> Edna>Thank you. I pretty good at following instructions so I'll
get the book and If I have a problem I contact you.
Mike Clan C3> No problem, feel free to contact me. It's fun!
Mike Clan C3> Let's talk about documenting your stuff off the internet.
Mike Clan C3> This is huge problem but I don't think it should keep you from using the internet.
Mike Clan C3> You should do the research on line but then go back and look for records to document it. ie birth, death, an dmarriage records. The internet is a place to start.
Mike Clan C3> Document, document, document, that should be the creed of us all.
Mike Clan C3> Ok, that's about all I have on the Internet. Go and explore!!!!!!
Edna> I need to leave but does anyone have the date for this year's Hendershot reunion?
Karen Gaughan B2> We are having a MINI reunion in Rochester NY late Aug early Sept
Karen Gaughan B2> for anyone who wishes to come. Then the next year will be the
Karen Gaughan B2> big one. Dont have a date yetfor next years. Can anyone attend this Don't forget to use search engins.
Karen Gaughan B2> years? Not yet
Karen Gaughan B2> Edna I hope Barb can help you identify your clan. Bruce has left does
Barbara Rudy> OK Edna my e-mail is BARudy@aol.com I have a little information about John.
Karen Gaughan B2> he know his clan?
Edna> Edna> I really enjoyed this chat and got some good ideas. Thank you all!
Karen Gaughan B2> what are search engines? Karen Gaughan B2> Thank you all for attending next chat is 2 weeks from tonight
Mike Clan C3> Glad it helped Edna. Stay in touch. Mark can you tell us about search engines that have helped. You go to http://www.google.com for example and put your surname in the box and click search.
Mike Clan C3> google is a good search engine that you can go to for almost anything. Thanks Mark for adding that. I also have started to post pictures on the aincent faces website.
Barbara Rudy> I found something today on World Connect. What about dead fred?
Karen Gaughan B2> Ho what is dead fred? I haven't tried that one yet.
Barbara Rudy> It has photos of all kinds of people. It is another place to post pictures.
Karen Gaughan B2> Dead Fred is a search engine?
Barbara Rudy> No it is a site. I will see if I can find it for you. http://www.deadfred.com is a web site.
Barbara Rudy> Thanks Mark.
Karen Gaughan B2> Well Mike, what an informative chat. I really enjoyed getting the
Karen Gaughan B2> information you gave us. I can pass this along to many friends. You're welcome Barbara
Karen Gaughan B2> My puter crashed several months ago and I lost all of my Websites
Carolyn Clan C> Yes, thanks Mike.
Karen Gaughan B2> Hendershot, genealogy etc. If there are any that you can pass on to me
Mike Clan C3> Thanks, it was fun. I"m just learning too but I think we assume people know these things.
Karen Gaughan B2> please send me more. All of you OK. Sure
Mike Clan C3> Mark, can you send me the log of this and I'll post it. No problem
Karen Gaughan B2> Next Chat 2 weeks. No subject yet any suggestions?
Karen Gaughan B2> Please send me the log also Mark OK? WrestleMainia?
Mike Clan C3> I've got to run my daughter is wanting online. See you all!!!!! Will do Karen.
Karen Gaughan B2> Thanks agaom Mike. I bet they would all show up for WrestleMania
Karen Gaughan B2> Carolyn are you still there. I [lan to watch.
Carolyn Clan C> Yes I am still here
Karen Gaughan B2> Thanks for supporting our chat Barb and Carolyn and Mark. We must get
Karen Gaughan B2> more to attend. They missed out tonight.
Karen Gaughan B2> Time to leave. Take care all. any questions?
Barbara Rudy> What happened to Jo?
Carolyn Clan C> I would like a log of the chat, Karen. Can you send it to me? I called someone tonight but she didn't want to come.
Karen Gaughan B2> Mark does that Carolyn. It will also be posted on the Henderwshot Website
Karen Gaughan B2> Jo had to leave.
Karen Gaughan B2> Im am off to look up the 1890 Census on familysearch.org
Karen Gaughan B2> Goodnight All Don't you mean the 1880 one? The 1890 was destroyed by fire.
Barbara Rudy> OK See you in 2 weeks. Good Bye.
Karen Gaughan B2> Yes It was a typo sorry
Barbara Rudy> Good night all! Good Night.
Carolyn Clan C> Good night all
Carolyn, what is your email?
Carolyn Clan C> CHM95@aol.com
Carolyn Clan C> Thanks Mark. I appreciate that. Thank you. I'll send you a copy later.
Carolyn Clan C> Thanks again. Good night Good Night

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