Tuesday's Tip - Do you know the way to San Bruno?

From Sacramento California, take I-80W or I-80W and I-680S to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Pacific Region office in San Bruno.  It's about a 100 mile drive from downtown Sacramento.  The office is officially called the National Archive at San Francisco.

NARA Pacific Region holdings are comprised of Federal records from northern and central California, Nevada (except Clark County), Hawaii, American Samoa and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and constitute a major primary resource for the study of Asian-Pacific immigration, environmental, Naval, Native American, and many other aspects of American history. Their website has links to a newsletter; the services for genealogists; and classes/workshops. Below is a list of the upcoming classes:

Military - Part II Spanish American to Viet-Nam
June 17, Friday, 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M
Rose Mary Kennedy, Genealogy Specialist

Federal Land Records
July 8, Friday, 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
Rose Mary Kennedy, Genealogist Specialist

Freedmen Bureau Records
July 22, Friday, 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon
Deborah Osterberg, Archives Technician

Preserving Your History
August 5, Friday, 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
Rose Mary Kennedy, Genealogist Specialist

To Register and for more information:
Contact Rose Mary Kennedy at 650-238-3488 or send her an e-mail at rosemary.kennedy@nara.gov.

Cost:
Fees are $15, payable in advance.

Location::
All workshops will be held at the National Archives at San Francisco
1000 Commodore Drive
San Bruno, California 94066-2350

Posted by Denise Hibsch Richmond
Tuesday's Tip is just one of the daily blog themes suggested by Geneabloggers. Get your ancestors noticed here - submit content to rootcellarsgs@gmail.com.

Military Monday - William Babcock

My GG Grandfather William Babcock was born 9 December 1831 in Warren County, Pennsylvania and died 24 March 1905 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He enlisted as a private in Company A, Michigan 8^th Infantry Regiment on 23 September 1861 and was mustered out on 5 February 1863 at Annapolis, Maryland. His younger brother Merit Babcock died at Murfreesboro, Tennessee in April 1863 and is believed to be buried in the national cemetery in Murfreesboro.

Posted by Ron Setzer

Military Monday - Herman A. Hibsch

Herman August Hibsch was my great-great uncle.  He was born in Wisconsin to Prussian immigrants.  The family moved to Azusa, California in the late 1880s. He served in the Spanish American War at the Presidio in San Francisco, California. That service, though short, had a life-long impact on him.  He was devoted to ensuring that military service men and women were recognized on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.  He would visit patients in military hospitals and place American flags on grave sites of fallen comrades. Ironically, he died driving home on Memorial Day weekend in 1939 after placing flags at grave sites.  To honor him, his wife had the Spanish American War emblem engraved on his gravestone.   He was buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, California.

Posted by Denise Hibsch Richmond

Military Monday is just one of the daily blog themes suggested by Geneabloggers. Get your ancestors noticed here - submit content to rootcellarsgs@gmail.com.

Sunday's Obituary - Thomas Brown

WAR VETERAN IS CLAIMED HERE

Thomas Brown Succumbs to Paralytic Stroke on Thursday

Thomas Brown, aged 84 years, died at his home on South Broadway, last Thursday morning, April 7^th, after a brief illness following a paralytic stroke.

The deceased was a veteran of the Civil War, from 1861 to 1865, serving in light artillery. He was twice married; the first wife was Jane Clark.  After her death he married Rebecca Edwards, in 1880, who survives. He is also survived by four daughters, Mrs. Hannah Ballinger, Cleveland; Mrs. Ida Kendall, California; Mrs. Blanche McMullen and Mrs. Myrta West, Blanchester.  For thirty-seven years Mr. Brown lived in the Edwardsville neighborhood, having moved to Blanchester about five years ago.

The funeral services were held at the Baptist Church, Saturday morning, the deceased being a communicant of that faith, by Rev. J.W. Poorman, with singing by the church choir.

Six of his comrades of the G.A.R. participated in the flag service in the church and the pall bearers, members of the American Legion read their service at the grave.  Beautiful flowers, one a magnificent red cross, attested to his continued loyalty to his patriotic motives.

Those from out of town who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ballinger, Cleveland; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Bender, Canton; Mr. and Mrs. George Brown, Genthan Brown, Mrs. William Legerman, and Mrs. Harry Reeves, Cincinnati; Mrs. Mary Tucker, Mrs. Jean Tucker and Mrs. Elva Meek, Mason; George Edwards, South Charleston; Mr. and Mrs. Howard Murphy and Mrs. Effie Arnold, Wilmington; Mrs. Betty Clark and Mrs. Laura Hinkle, Reesville; Mrs. Eva Conner and Kenneth Hodson, Wilmington.

W.T.C.U.
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Posted by Denise Hibsch Richmond. Thomas BROWN was my paternal great-great grandfather; his daughter Ida being my great-grandmother.  He was born 3 Jun 1843 in Highland County, Ohio.  Thomas Brown served in the Civil War as a Private in Company D, 85th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI) and the 24th Ohio Independent Light Artillery and Ohio Light Artillery [Hill's Independent Battery].  His first wife was not deceased when he married a second time.  My cousin's research revealed that she had been institutionailzed in Athens, Ohio and died there 37 years later. Thomas died on 7 Apr 1927 in Blanchester, Clinton, Ohio.  He was buried at Edwardsville Cemetery in Harlan Township, Warren, Ohio.

Sunday’s Obituary is just one of the daily blog themes suggested by Geneabloggers. Get your ancestors noticed here - submit content to rootcellarsgs@gmail.com.

Handouts from NARA Genealogy Fair

If you were like me, you weren't in Washington, D.C. on April 21-22 for the 7th Annual Genealogy Fair sponsored by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).  The annual event showcases records held at NARA.  Luckily, the handouts are available at the NARA website.

Note:  This is an example of the information you can learn about by subscribing to GeneaPress, a blog devoted to genealogically-related press releases.

Posted by Denise Hibsch Richmond

Thriller Thursday

I didn't need to dig too deep into my roots to uncover some 'thrilling' dirt in my family history.

The folders pictured here contain voluminous prison records and court documents held at the California State Archives in Sacramento regarding Donald K. Bashor, my third cousin once removed.  In the mid 1950s, the newspapers named him the "barefoot burglar" because he removed his shoes before illegally entering a residence.  He stole money found during the burglaries to finance his education at the University of Southern California.  For two of his burglaries, the residents were actually at home and saw him so he brutally took their lives to avoid getting caught.  He was captured by police soon after the second murder in 1956.  He eventually pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder.  In 1957, California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown affirmed the denial of a new trial.  Donald was executed at San Quentin shortly thereafter.

Posted by Denise Richmond

Wordless Wednesday

Sisterly Love

Cherie Adele Eaton with younger brother George Christopher Eaton in 1930s.

Posted by Ron Setzer

Root Cellar's 2011 Family History Writing Contest Results

As the editor of Root Cellar's publication, Preserves, I would like to express our appreciation to all of the people whose essays were entered into Root Cellar's 2011 Family History Writing Contest. After being read and reread by many judges, the results have been tabulated. The winners are:

First Place to Georgia Hall Chun for Legacy of Secrecy.

Second place to Harry V. Hutton for Elizabeth of South Wales.

Third place to Judy Willey for The Tale of Two California Towns.

Congratulations to our winners and special thanks to all of the judges.

The prizes for the winning entries:

First place:

One year’s membership in Ancestry.com’s World Edition

One year’s membership in Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society

One year’s membership in Root Cellar for a non–member friend

One admission to Root Cellar’s seminar in 2012

Second place:

One year’s membership in Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society

One year’s membership in Root Cellar for a non–member friend

One admission to Root Cellar’s seminar in 2012

Third place:

One year’s membership in Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society

One admission to Root Cellar’s seminar in 2012



Posted by Ron Setzer,PreservesEditor@macnexus.org

2011 Speakers Directory

The following announcement was received from Gwen Myers of the Genealogical and Historical Council of Sacramento Valley:

The Genealogical and Historical Council of Sacramento Valley (GHCSV) is seeking speakers for their 2011 Speakers Directory.  A number of you have already been contacted; however, we would like to open this to others as well.

The Speakers Directory is used by genealogical and historical societies throughout Northern California. The many societies who use the directory are most appreciative for the ability to contact speakers on a variety of topics for their meetings and seminars.It also provides you, the speaker, the opportunity to promote yourself and your topics, publications, etc.  You can limit the areas where you are willing to speak, can charge what you wish, and can ask the society to provide certain audio-visual equipment, if they have it. There is no charge to be listed in the directory.

We expect to have the directory published by Family History Day, October 15, 2011.  Societies are welcome to purchase a directory (cost of publishing).  To be included in the directory or purchase one or for further questions, send an email to Gwen Myers at gg.myers@pobox.com.

Posted by Denise. Cross-reference to Family History Day at the California State Archives

Tombstone Tuesday

This is the headstone for my Great-Grandfather John J. HALL.  It's located in Tulocay Cemetery, Napa, California.  He was born in Starksville, Herkimer County, New York.  He traveled to California via the Winged Racer, a Clipper Ship of about 1700 tons, with his mother and three of his seven siblings.  The 108 day voyage began 11 Dec1852 in New York Harbor, Sacramento bound with 12 passengers and crew.  The five family members reunited with the rest of the family in Sacramento, California.  He married Caroline GUERIN on 16 Feb 1873 and they soon moved to Eureka, Eureka County, Nevada.  In about 1890, John, Caroline and their children then moved to Napa, Napa County, California, where John passed away in 1923. Contributed by Diane Maltase, Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society member .

Please participate in Tombstone Tuesday. Send a photo of your ancestor's tombstone with a short description of the person or image to rootcellarsgs@gmail.com.

Mapping Monday



Credit: NOAA Civil War Logo

 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Coast Survey has provided another resource for researching your ancestor's Civil War history.  The collection, released last year, includes maps, charts and documents.  I was not aware of this resource until I read about it here: NOAA Unveils Special Collection of Civil War Maps and Nautical Charts - Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter.

If you find information in the NOAA collection, please send a message to rootcellarsgs@gmail.com.  We would like to share it with other readers of this blog.

Attibution: Daily blogging theme from Geneabloggers

From the In-box: How to Find an Old Book - Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter

The article link below from Dick Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter (EOGN) reminds me of the brickwall segment of our workshops held every third Wednesday of the month for members and guests of Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society. A reader of the EOGN asked for help in locating an old book after he thought he had exhausted all known sources. Dick tossed the inquiry to his readers and received many comments some of which may be helpful to you.

See the full article:
From the In-box: How to Find an Old Book - Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter

Wordless Wednesday

Genealogy Jamboree Blog: WIN - Tell us Your Favorite Feature of the App

Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society will be represented once again at the Genealogy Jamboree sponsored by the Southern California Genealogical Society in Burbank, California on June 10-12. We look forward to this event every year. This year the Jamboree has gone real techie and we love it! The Jamboree App is a winner. It has the speakers, exhibitors, map, schedule and...


...Our favorite feature: the calendar. We just review the lecture sessions including breakfasts and banquets, decide if that's one we want to attend, click on the star and Voila!, the session is added to our personal calendar. Going from session to session will be so easy this year. Way Cool! And yes, we would like to win the Favorite Feature Contest!


Genealogy Jamboree Blog: WIN - Tell us Your Favorite Feature of the App


Read the Jamboree blog post about the app.

Legislative Alert: Vital Records

The Legislative Watch Chairperson of the California State Genealogical Alliance (CSGA) sent the following alert:

Assemblymember Gordon has introduced AB 1053 which has been referred to the Committee on Appropriations. Hearing will held on Wednesday, May 18th.

This bill would raise the basic fee for certified copies of vital records by $9 from the current $3. In other words, $9 will be added to the current fee for vital records. Example: If a county currently charges $19 for a birth record, the new fee would be $28. This is an enormous increase!

For questions regarding various fee elements being charged for vital record copies, please reference the pie chart in the 2011 Jan-Feb CSGA newsletter (member login required). The basic fee is being increased and added to other surcharges and program fees.

This increase would affect all vital records regardless of when the records were created. It is unfortunate that the increase would also apply to records created prior to 1906.

The full text of the bill is here.  The pertinent bill text is in Section 5. Use your computer's "find" function to search for "SEC. 5" without quotes.   The list State Assembly Appropriations Committee members is here.  The roster of State Assembly Members is here.

Today and tomorrow [May 16-17], you may wish to contact your Assemblymember, Assemblymember Gordon, or members of the Committee to object to this proposed fee increase as 'unreasonable' before it goes to committee on Wednesday.

Tombstone Tuesday

If you wish to participate in Tombstone Tuesday, send us a photo of an ancestor's tombstone with a short description of the person or image.

This is the tombstone of my great great grandfather William Babcock, b. 9 Dec 1831 in Brokenstraw, Warren, Pennsylvania and d. 24 March 1905 in Colorado Springs, El Paso, Colorado. His wife Emily died in Colorado Springs 2 Apr 1905. William served during the Civil War in Company A, Michigan 8th Infantry Regiment."

Reunion SIG

 A Special Interest Group (SIG) has been established by Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society members who use Reunion genealogy software for the Mac.  This SIG is open to members and non-members, although membership in Root Cellar is as low as $21 a year.

Meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at the Sacramento Regional Family History Center.  If you would like to be added to the email list, please contact Ron Setzer.

The next Reunion SIG meeting will be:

Date: Wednesday, May 25
Root Cellar Reunion SIG, open to members and non-members
Program: How to adjust your Reunion source citation fields for U.S. censuses to reflect Elizabeth Shown Mills citation model, among other topics.
Time: 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Location:  Family History Center, 2745 Eastern Ave, Sacramento, CA
Contact: Ron Setzer, PreservesEditor@macnexus.org to be added to email list.

Root Cellar would like to express its appreciation to the Sacramento Regional Family History Center for the use of its classroom space.

May Genealogy Workshop

The next genealogy workshop has a full agenda.  Everyone is welcome.

Root Cellar President Sandra Gardner Benward will present "New Family Search", the changes and the how to's about using the website.

Preserves Editor Ron Setzer will demonstrate a new photographic tool called "Light in a Box".

Bring your research "brick wall" to present to the group but please be sure to let Workshop Coordinator John Jay know so he can ensure time for discussion.

Also, everyone is encouraged to bring their favorite websites or publications to share with the group.

Date:  Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Time: 1pm - 3pm
Location: Clubhouse at Country Squire Estates, 5720 Oak Hill Drive, Sacramento, CA
Contact:  John Jay (916) 331-0963, jksljay@sbcglobal.net

Sponsor:  Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society

May Membership Meeting

Genealogy Research Trip Planning
Date: May 11
Time: 7pm-8:30pm
Location: Citrus Heights Community Clubhouse, 6921 Sylvan Way, Citrus Heights

Program:  Glenda Lloyd will discuss how to plan for a research trip.  Whether you are researching locally or across the miles, planning what to take with you, what to wear and what  to avoid will be keys to a successful research venture.

Free, guests always welcome.

Contact: Sandi Benward 916-412-3511
Website: www.rootcellar.org
Email: rootcellarsgs@gmail.com

How To Access FGS Radio

We wrote about FGS Radio, a new resource from the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) on April, 21, 2011.  Like me, you may be new to internet radio.  Thankfully, Thomas MacEntee has written some instructions for listening to a live broadcast, how to download archived episodes and how to access the chat room.

April Genealogy Workshop

Here is a photo of Root Cellar's Workshop Chair John Jay conducting the April workshop. We discussed the ins and outs of Rootsweb.com. Guiding us was Glenda Gardner Lloyd. And as usual, opinions were given to help with Brick Walls.


On the 18th of May (1:00 to 3:00 pm), we will have a presentation from Sandy Benward titled "New Family Search"  and will cover the changes and "How To's" regarding the FamilySearch.org website.  Ron Setzer will be demonstrating a photographic tool for capturing your artifacts and heirlooms called "PhotoStudio in a Box."   

If anyone has a "brick wall" issue that they would like to bring to the group, please let John Jay know.

Also, we would like to encourage everyone to bring any favorite websites or publications that you might want to share with the group.

Jamboree App

If you have a smartphone such as the iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, etc., and you intend to go to the Jamboree, you should download and install the Jamboree app. Go to http://scgsgenealogy.com/2011jam-app.htm to find more information. Probably the highlight of the app is the ability to see the information on all of the events in the conference and create your personal schedule. Done in advance means no more fumbling with the paper schedule to find your next event, it is always on your phone.

Geneabloggers

Root Cellar Ramblings is now on the Blog Roll at Geneabloggers, a community of over 1,800 authors and readers of genealogy-related and family history blogs brougtht to life by Thomas MacEntee.  You don't need to have a blog to find value in this website.

Blogs can be a useful source for family history research. Take a moment to browse the list of blogs on Geneabloggers.  Search by keyword such as surname or location. That's how I found Midwestern Microhistory which provides information about many midwest family history resources I might not have found on my own. That's how researchers with Sacramento roots will find the Root Cellar Ramblings Blog and the resources our genealogical society has to offer.

Leave a comment about what you found on Geneabloggers.

P.S. Be sure to check out the other nifty resources on Geneabloggers such as GeneaWebinars and BlogTalkRadio.