Monday, November 28, 2011

Root Cellar on UpFront with NGS

You just never know where people will learn about what we're doing at Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society.  Check out the latest on UpFront at NGS.  There's other helpful information on the National Genealogical Society website and blog so browse awhile while you're there.

posted by Denise Hibsch Richmond

Military Monday - 110 year error put right. Finally !!

A late update from Sylvan Cemetery, but as you can see from the story too, better late than never at all.

Jim Monteton, long time resident & neighborhood leader in Citrus Heights, found that a number of Civil War Veterans buried in our local cemetery - Sylvan Cemetery - were buried without headstones. A small flimsy metal piece was left as a marker waiting for a headstone that never arrived. Jim took it upon himself to go through the process, the paper maze through the Department of Veteran Affairs to get one headstone (at first)....

(for the whole story see October postings)
On September 3, 1901, Theodore Collins Fitch died. He was a veteran of the American Civil War and had served from the beginning in 1861 all the way to its conclusion in 1865. He served in the 6th Ohio Infantry and the 121st Ohio Infantry, rising from private to the rank of Captain by war's end. He was laid to rest in the Sylvan Cemetery in Citrus Heights, California.
On Saturday 29th of October 2011 the headstone was put in place, Citrus Heights Police Department Honor Guard presentation, "6" Gun Salute by the Sons of the Union Veterans, lone Bagpipper, celebatory wreaths and the 'grieving' widow (just to complete the picture), Channel 3 taping, hundred or more spectators plus Citrus Heights City Leaders and County Representative attending.





Now paperwork will be started for the other dozen or so Civil War Veterans butied in Sylvan Cemetery that also did not receive their proper headstones.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Shop Amazon.com. Help Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society

Now that the Thanksgiving leftovers are almost gone and travelers begin their trek home, many of us are gearing up for the holiday shopping season.


Will you be shopping at Amazon.com?  If so, please use the special link assigned to Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society to get to the Amazon.com website. The link is on the home page of our website Root Cellar.   Root Cellar receives a small advertising fee from every purchase made on Amazon.com when you access the website using the special link.  The funds raised help off-set various expenses of Root Cellar.

Sunday's Obituary – Helen Aurora D. (BECKMAN) BABCOCK


Services for Mrs. Helen Babcock, 67, of Route 6, Box 99, Colorado Springs, who died Aug. 23 at a local hospital, will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 4720 Galley Road, Pastor Ivan Anderson officiating. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery.

Friends may call at Swan Funeral Home until 10 a.m. Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers, friends are requested to contribute to the Helen A. D. Babcock Memorial Fund, in care of Peace  Lutheran Church.

Charter Council members of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church will be pallbearers.

Mrs. Babcock was born July 3, 1901, at Calumet, Mich., and came here from Michigan in 1922.

Mrs. Babcock was married May 19, 1923, in Colorado Springs.

She was a charter member and Counsel Board member of Prince of peace Lutheran Church.

Mrs. Babcock was a past presiding officer of the following: Monte–Rosa Rebekah Lodge No. 4, Ladies Auxiliary of the Order of the Patriarchs Militant, Centennial Chapter No. 58 of the Order of Eastern Star, Past Matrons Club of Columbine Shrine No. 15, 4-H Club and Home Demonstration Club. 

Her husband, Boyda B. Babcock, died in March, 1950.

Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Bonnie Lu Ragan of Colorado Springs and Mrs. Doris J. Hays of Ft. Rucker, Ala.; two sons, Boyda L. Babcock of Colorado Springs and Buddy B. Babcock of Route 2, Calhan: three sisters, Mrs. Annette C. Harstad and Mrs. Agnes B. Nyquist, both of Colorado Springs, and Mrs. Adeha Nelson of Wheaton, Minn.; a brother, Conrad A. Beckman of New Orleans, La., and seven grandchildren.

--------------
So much information may be found in an obituary. This is a transcription of an obituary article in the Colorado Springs Free Press, Sunday, 23 August 1968, p. 22. Helen had been killed when she was "fatally stricken in a car at 25th Street and Colorado Avenue Friday night…." It has given me leads to many more cousins.

Posted by Ron Setzer

Friday, November 25, 2011

Follow Friday: NGS Family History Conference Blog


NGS Logo
 It's not too early to plan for May 2012.  Make your hotel reservations now if you have the slightest thought about attending the NGS Conference in Cincninati, Ohio.  The NGS blog already has helpful information about the venue, hotels, attractions and research opportunities in the region.  I mapped the three counties where my ancestors lived in Ohio -  60 miles from the conference site!  Looks like a pre- or post-conference side trip will be involved for me!  Did you know that Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society is a member of NGS?  Will I see you there?  I wonder where WKRP is...but I digress

The following press release was received on November 20, 2011:

NGS Conference 2012 Logo
 (Arlington, VA) -- The National Genealogical Society has released the full 2012 Family History Conference Program. It is available online and is fully searchable here. The theme of the thirty-fourth NGS Family History Conference is The Ohio River: Gateway to the Western Frontier and it will be held 9–12 May 2012 in Cincinnati, Ohio. NGS varies the theme and geographic location of its conference annually and brings together thousands of genealogists and family historians to learn the latest in genealogical research. The online searchable program allows prospective conference attendees to review the full scope of more than forty lecture topics offered daily during the four-day conference in Cincinnati. An exhibit area with over one hundred exhibitors will be open and free to the public Wednesday through Saturday and will include the latest in genealogical software, online research providers, and DNA testing sources.

Registration will begin Thursday, 1 December 2011. To register online, visit the conference page on the NGS website.


The PDF version of the registration brochure is available here. The brochure includes information about workshops, lectures, sessions, speakers, luncheons, tours, pre-conference events, registration times and rates, and accessibility as well as general conference and exhibit hall specifics. Some examples of the diverse offerings of the NGS 2012 Family History Conference include methodology and research, ethnic research, repositories and records, migration, Skillbuilding, GenTech, military records, photos, and writing. E-mail Veronica Tran to request that a registration brochure be mailed to you.

Founded in 1903, the National Genealogical Society is dedicated to genealogy education, high research standards, and the preservation of genealogical records. The Arlington, VA-based nonprofit is the premier national society for everyone, from the beginner to the most advanced family historian, seeking excellence in publications, educational offerings, research guidance, and opportunities to interact with other genealogists. Please visit the NGS Pressroom for further information.


View the entire NGS Conference blog and press release: NGS Family History Conference: National Genealogical Society Releases Full 2012 Family History Conference Program Online
posted by Denise Hibsch Richmond

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

From  your friends at

Root Cellar

Sacramento Genealogical Society





posted by Denise Hibsch Richmond

Monday, November 21, 2011

Mystery Monday - Need Help with Handwriting

I've stared at this word long enough.  Even my resident expert is stumped.  So I'm asking my geneablogger friends and their friends for help.

My ancestor Adam Clark was a Civil War veteran who lived the last 25 years of his life at the Old Soldier's Home in Sawtelle, California, now the site of the Los Angeles National.Cemetery in West Los Angeles.  Below is an excerpt from his military record.  The mystery word is in parentheses at the bottom of the record.  An enlargement of the mystery word is also below.

"How Disposed of  Shipped paid posts to Mahlon Clark ( ? ) 4/22/26"

Mahlon Clark was the brother of Adam Clark.  If you know what the word is or have a guess, please send it to rootcellarsgs@gmail.com, attention Denise Richmond.  Thank you!
 

Mystery Monday is one of several blogging themes suggested on GeneaBloggers. Get your ancestors noticed here; submit a short story and/or image to rootcellarsgs@gmail.com.

Submitted and posted by Denise Hibsch Richmond

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Sunday Supper: The Purple Turkey

Early married life for my parents, Jesse L. and Carolina R. Green (pictured left at their wedding) meant moving from one Army base to another.  They were married November 9, 1941 a few short weeks prior to the start of World War II.  My mother, being the youngest child of seven children, never learned to cook prior to her marriage. 

One Thanksgiving my father surprised my mother by inviting friends over for Thanksgiving dinner.  Mom was very nervous about fixing a Thanksgiving dinner for company.  Dad said there was nothing to it -  you just kept basting the turkey with wine.  The results, he said, would be a moist and flavorful well-done turkey.  My mother followed his instructions and basted the turkey while it was cooking. 

When it was time to serve the bird, it was indeed moist, flavorful and purple!  You guessed it.  She basted the turkey with red wine!  She said she was never able to duplicate that feat again.

Thank you to Root Cellar member Carolee Jones for sharing your hilarious family story.

Sunday Supper is one of several blogging themes suggested on Geneabloggers.  Get your ancestors noticed here by submitting a short story and/or image to rootcellarsgs@gmail.com.

posted by Denise Hibsch Richmond

Friday, November 18, 2011

Thank Goodness for Archives!

The National Genealogical Society blog, UpFront with NGS, posted this article on 18 Nov 2011. Now this is information that's meant to be shared! 

Archives can be a great resource for genealogists and yet visiting/using one can be intimidating.  I remember that I was actually nervous the first few times that I visited some – they each have their own rules and one sometimes wasn’t always made to feel welcome.  Now that I have visited all kinds of archives, big and small, private and public, I know that if I do my homework about what the archive holds, how it operates, etc, I really enjoy and value the access that I gain to the records.  This does outweigh the few butterflies I still sometimes experience when I am planning a first visit (for me) to an archive. 

Given that, I think that you’ll find the following helpful …

Paula's Genealogical Eclectica* recently posted a piece titled Guide to using Archives where she talks about The Society of American Archivists and its helpful online guide Using Archives: A Guide to Effective Research which has many great tips for potential users.
 
Select entries from the Table of Contents

There is also a PDF version.

*This is the blog of Paul Stuart-Warren, CG TM 
--------------

In Sacramento, California, visit these fine repositories:
posted by Denise Hibsch Richmond

Follow Friday - Michael John Neill's Blogs

Michael John Neill authors four blogs:
I read the first two regularly.  For me, his tips are food for thought - new information or information I have learned before but serve as an excellent reminder, a 'slap on the forehead duh' moment.

Take a look for yourself.  His tips may open new avenues of research for you!

Follow Friday is one of several blogging themes suggested on Geneabloggers.  Suggest a genealogy or research-related blog or website to follow by sending the link to rootcellarsgs@gmail.com.

posted by Denise Hibsch Richmond for Ron Setzer who's in the swamp this week

Follow Friday–Ancestry.com Blog

It seems that if you do genealogical research today, you have to use the computer for that end. And why not, you can do it at home, you could do it when you have some time, day or night, you don't have to dress up, and you don't have to get in the car and go someplace. If you fall into that category, then you know about ancestry.com. Apparently millions of us subscribe to their services and many more use their website through libraries and family history centers. So to stay abreast of what happens on Ancestry, you should follow the ancestry.com blog.
For example, the latest blog detailed the beta version of the image viewer. some of the features they detailed  are:
Summary of key features

  • Faster image loading. We’ve invested in the backend services that power the image viewing experience. We’ll continue to optimize and improve performance, but this experience should be faster for most of our users.
  • Works on more platforms and with more browsers. Windows and Macintosh. Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari.
  • New and improved features. Rotate, mirror, and better zoom controls are new for all users. Magnify, thumbnail view, and enhanced images are new for anyone who couldn’t use the previous Advanced Image Viewer.
  • Familiar interface. The basic user interface around the viewer is relatively unchanged. Some of the interactions have changed (such as zoom and pan controls).
  • Simplified installation experience. For most of you, the viewer will just work. Some of you will first need to install a more recent version of Adobe Flash.
  • BETA. We’re still working on this. There are some known issues. We’re also taking feedback for further improvements. Let us know what you think at feedback-imageviewer@ancestry.com.

With the blog you will be kept up-to-date with your service at Ancestry.com. All from the convenience of your mail program. Go to: http://blogs.ancestry.com/ancestry/.


Submitted by Ron Setzer

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Wordless Wednesday



Rinaldi Brothers Market in Randsburg, CA 
L. to r. — Otto Rinaldi in buggy, Isaac Rinaldi & Julian Rinaldi  

Submitted by Nancy Fiorini
Posted by Ron Setzer

Monday, November 14, 2011

Military Monday – Donovan K. WEBSTER


Donovan K. Webster
b. 6 Jan 1931 in Wichita, Sedgwick, Kansas
d. 14 Jan 2008 in Paul, Minidoka, Idaho

Donovan was my father-in-law. He grew up on a farm in Elk County Kansas until he was drafted into the Army in 1951 for the Korean War. After basic training at Camp Crowder, he was sent to Camp Chaffee in Arkansas to become part of a Field Artillery unit operating the 155mm Howitzer in the Fifth Armored Division. One of the major battles Donovan was involved with was the intense battle of White Horse Mountain—which was a monumental historical battle that prevented the North Koreans from streaming into the South Korean peninsula. He recalled his artillery unit firing non-stop day and night for seven days straight. When the barrel of the artillery piece got too hot from firing continuously, it would quickly be changed out with another barrel for continued firing.  He recalled being able to somehow sleep just 20 yards behind the big guns as they were firing! Donovan received the Korean Service Medal with two service stars and the United Nations Service Medal for Korea. After the war, he was active in the American Legion Post 77 in Paul, Idaho, for many years. Despite the many hardships Donovan experienced during the Korean War, he never talked much about them except when asked directly—always humble.  He was proud to have served his country and was always a true patriot. I am equally as proud of my father-in-law, Donovan K. Webster. 
Submitted by Curtis Jones
Posted by Ron Setzer

For Your Calendar



Webinar Title: Digital Preservation: Fundamentals
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Start Time: Pacific - 12 PM, Mountain - 1 PM, Central - 2 PM, Eastern - 3 PM
Presenter: Jacob Nadal
The uncertainties that go hand in hand with new technologies in digital preservation can make “once and for all” preservation approaches impractical. This first in a series of four webinars will present basic concepts and approaches to dealing with crucial digital preservation issues today and make decisions that will position you for success in the future.
Topics include storing digital objects, choosing and understanding risks in file formats, planning for migration and emulation, and the roles of metadata in digital preservation.
At the end of the first one-hour webinar, participants will:
  • Have a framework for making sense of preservation
  • Know about the principal methods for storing digital objects
  • Understand the benefits and risk associated with standard file formats
  • Understand the roles of metadata in digital preservation
Presented by the California State Library and the California Preservation Program, future webinars in the series will provide a deeper introduction to file formats used in digital libraries and the core issues in reliably storing digital content for the long-term:
  • Webinar #2: Tuesday, January 10: Text and Image Formats
  • Webinar #3: Tuesday, February 7: Storing and Managing Digital Collections
  • Webinar #4: Tuesday, March 20: Audio and Video Formats
This webinar will be of interest to library staff and archivists who are involved in developing digital projects. No special technical background required.
Webinars are free of charge and registration is only done on the day of the event on the WebEx server. No passwords are required.
This webinar will be presented with Closed Captioning.

Submitted by Lois Shumaker
Posted by Ron Setzer

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Root Cellar on FGS Blog Talk Radio

Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society was honored to be the featured member society on FGS* Blog Talk Radio on Saturday, 12 Nov 2011.  The main topic of this episode was "Genealogy and the Vital Records Access Crisis".  Show host Thomas MacEntee's guest was Frederick E. Moss, FGS Legal Advisor and member.  It was an informative discussion about a subject that effects all family history researchers. During the last 10 minutes of the show, Denise Richmond was interviewed by Thomas and highlighted the many exciting benefits and activities of our society.  Thanks again Thomas and FGS Radio!

You can still listen to the show by clicking on the right arrow in the blog talk radio box. Remember to turn up your computer speaker!


Listen to internet radio with mysociety on Blog Talk Radio


*Federation of Genealogical Societies

posted by Denise Hibsch Richmond

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Have your Family Tree with you on your iPhone

This year, I have a new phone with the latest features  - FINALLY!! Yes it is an iPhone 3. I love it.   

As I have sifted through the "App Store"on my iPhone I discovered Ancestry.com has an app for the iPhone. I just learned that I can build my family tree, and carry it with me all the time - add items as they come along. It can be so handy while traveling and researching. My memory is not like it use to be and having the family information at my finger tips is such a bonus. I can browse through the names in my tree, search for a specific person, add information, record events or new family decendants or ancestors- all while on the go. As you know the iPhone and other phones take great pictures and now you can take photos of anything and upload them into your ancestry.com app family tree. As you travel, I will have my family tree with me.

But as you can tell I am still learning. I just wish the screen was a little bigger for these aging eyes but I will adjust (or buy an iPad)

I am sure there must be APP's for the other phones. Check it out.

If you have an iPhone or an iPad - Try it!




Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Sharing Resources

Thank you to California Genealogical Society located in Oakland California for a new publication that will help all of us with our California research.

It is called "Insider's Guide to California Genealogy" It is laminated, 4 pages (back and front of a 11 x 17 sheet) It is a great resource and the best part is that alot of the resources can be used for all the other 49 states.

Resources included: California Historical Timeline, General Sites, Research Strategies for California, Census Records, Vital Records, Marriages & Divorces, Births, Adoptions, Deaths, Wills & Probate Records, Cemetery Records, Obituaries, Military, Court and Institution Records, Land and Maps, Immigration and Naturalization, Taxes, Genealogical & Historical Societies, Archives & Libraries, City Directories & Voter Registration Lists, Books & Periodicals, Newspapers, Family Search Centers, Message Boards, Mailing Lists & Queries, Family Trees. ............  all of this informaiton and laminated for $5.

California Genealogical Society

Like Root Cellar, they also have a great brick n mortor library.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Ancestry Day comes to San Francisco

Ancestry Day held this past Saturday (November 5, 2011) at the Hyatt Regency on Market Street in San Franciso, California. It was sponsored by the California Genealogical Society (CGS) /Oakland.

Were you one of the 900+?

I was lucky enough to be able to attend. I believe there were well over 900 attendees - it was SOLD OUT. Three out of the four sessions I attended were totally full- and I mean every chair in the room and these were all very large rooms. Lots of CGS members staffing and visable. The event was held on two floors of the Hyatt Regency.  KUDDOS to California Genealogical Society!! Great Job!!

Good information in our registration bags - and  a syllabus for the days sessions included, since you would only be able to attend 4 out of 16 sessions offered and with no repeat sessions........

MY SESSIONS:
          1)Emigration & Immigration Records Online/ Crista Cowan from Ancestry (excellent presentation and good resources);
          2) Finding Living People on the Internet/ Ron Arons of CGS (you remember him from an earlier presentation at Root Cellar in Sacramento) - this one is a new presentation of Ron's - not bad, good resources for tracking down those living people. I am really looking forward to putting some of these ideas into play;
          3) Breaking Down Brick Walls/ Susan Goss Johnston member of CGS......change your outlook, go sideways, and go back to basics;
         4) Your Family History with the Genealogically Challenged/ Crista Cowan from Ancestry.....  different ways of getting your family members involved with your research including the very youngest.

NOW I just need to find the time to try out these new ideas and resources!

"Dear Santa, would you add another hour to the day or a new day to each month? I need more time or learn how to be more organized and focussed. Thank you. As usual, there will be lots of giant home made chocolate chip cookies and milk for you. Love Sandi"

Another activity offered on this day were 15 minute consultations with a professional for $5. (you can't beat that price!! but you needed to sign up for this at registration) And from the time the day started (8:30am) till it closed at 4p there were 30 indivdual consultations happening every 15 minutes. Can you imagine that? You do the math - just say it was something that people really responded too. I was one of them at 12:20p table 30. My question was on Immigration. This was a disappointment but it was also a long shot.

A long day but well worth it....... I was up at 4am, on the road by 4:30am, parking at Pittsburg BART station, catching the BART at 6:30am to the Embacardero Station arriving 7:32am...... registration line just opened (and a 1/2 hour early) and the day begins with the first session of four starting at 9am. YES it was a very long day but a good one. I ran into several Root Cellar members along with many other genealogy friends from all over the area. On the 2+ rainy ride home with a friend, Vicki and I talked and talked about our day, our sessions, and how it applied to each of us.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Root Cellar to be Featured on FGS Radio

FGS Blog Radio Logo
GREAT NEWS!!

FGS member society Root Cellar is excited to have been selected to be in the Society Spotlight next Saturday on FGS Blog talk radio.  This is a wonderful opportunity to promote the activities and benefits of our Society.  Denise Richmond, Publicity Chairperson, will serve as spokesperson and will be interviewed live by show host Thomas MacEntee at the end of the weekly episode.  

The Root Cellar blog talked about how to access FGS blog radio here. Tune in early so you don't miss a minute!

Read the announcement for the next episode:

Join us for the next episode of FGS Radio - My Society, an Internet radio show on Blog talk Radio presented by the Federation of Genealogical Societies.

Saturday, November 12, 2011
2-3pm Eastern US
1-2pm Central US
12-1pm Mountain US
11am-12pm Pacific US


This week’s episode hosted by Thomas MacEntee is entitled Genealogy and the Vital Records Access Crisis. Our guest will be Frederick E. Moss, FGS legal advisor and member of the Records Access and Preservation Committee, a joint committee of the Federation of Genealogical Societies, the National Genealogical Society, and the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies. Fred will help us understand how access to vital records is currently being threatened and what you can do to ensure access for all genealogy and family history researchers. In addition, we’ll be highlighting FGS member society, Root Cellar - Sacramento Genealogical Society in our weekly Society Spotlight feature. Read the guest bios on the FGS Blog.

My Society is presented by the Federation of Genealogical Societies and each week we tackle the issues that confront genealogy societies.
posted by Denise Hibsch Richmond

Saturday, November 5, 2011

You're Invited to the Fixing Flawed Fotos Presentation

If you have faded, scratched, spotted or over-exposed photos then help is on the way!


All are invited to hear Sandra Hart speak at the next Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society meeting.


  • Date:  Wednesday, November 9, 2011
  • Time:  7 pm - 8:30 pm
  • Place:  Citrus Heights Community Clubhouse, 6921 Sylvan Road, Citrus Heights, California
  • Program:  "Using Photoshop Elements for Genealogy"
  • Contact:  Sandi Benward  (916) 412-3511
Sandra will discuss how to use Photoshop Elements software for your photos and other images.  She will also talk about free software, such as pixlr and the helpful instructional videos on the Adobe website that show you how to do all of the important things with Photoshop Elements if you learn better by watching it being done than reading about it.
See you there!

posted by Denise Hibsch Richmond

Friday, November 4, 2011

Shop Amazon. Help Root Cellar.


Amazon logo on Root Cellar website
Have you heard?  The Amazon.com affiliate program has returned due to a recent California legislative change.  Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society participates in this Amazon program and receives a percentage on every purchase you make.

BUT, you must use the special link on the homepage of our website to access Amazon.com in order for Root Cellar to receive the credit. 

Here's how:
  • Go to the Root Cellar website
  • Click on the Amazon.com logo (aka the special link)
  • Bookmark or add the special Amazon.com URL to your Favorites
  • Begin shopping!
The holidays are around the corner - save time by shopping at Amazon and help Root Cellar at the same time.  Thanks!

If you have any questions about this, don't hesitate to send an email to us - we'll gladly help.

posted by Denise Hibsch Richmond



Thursday, November 3, 2011

Thankful Thursday: Volunteers Who Transcribe Original Records

Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society is thankful for its devoted Records Extraction Team lead by past president Marilyn Ulbricht. The term 'extraction' sounds down right painful, but it is far from it.


This group of volunteers would probably describe their transcription work as a way of giving back to the genealogy community, possibly a labor of love and certainly educational.  Reference books are always at hand to clarify a place name or cause of death terminology of a bygone era like dropsy and marasmus.

Every Friday morning the team assembles at the Center for Sacramento History. Each volunteer has a record book from which to extract entries.  The books are fragile and cumbersome to manage, some measuring nearly 18 inches square. Great care is taken to protect crumbling spines and delicate pages.  Pat Johnson, Senior Archivist at the Center, welcomes the volunteers and the extraction project because it will increase public access to the records via published indexes and promote preservation of the actual books by reducing or eliminating handling.

The team's current project is huge:  extracting Sacramento County Coroner's Office records from 1887 - 1969.  These original records are held at the Center for Sacramento History which acquired them through the efforts of the Sacramento Historic City Cemetery Committee.  The work of these dedicated volunteers will culminate in a 20 volume record set.  As of this writing, Book 13, covering the 1930s to 1940s, was just completed and sent to the printer!

According to Marilyn Ulbricht, "Coroner Records are a gold mine of information - they give clues to follow which can really get through some brick walls.  They really tell a story of life!"  Marilyn continues "Not everyone was buried in a potter's grave as there were contracts with various cemeteries in the area to bury decedents whose family was unable to bury them". 

The books contain inquisition certificates, inquests, receipts for property, indigent burial records, disposal of bodies and property, and buried location.  The information to be gleaned from each book includes place, date or cause of death; date and arrangements for burial; and property description and name and relationship of the person receiving such property.  These are valuable clues for the family history researcher.

Thank you again for your tremendous contribution to Root Cellar and the genealogy community!

This publication and others can be read at the Root Cellar Genealogical Library located inside the California State Archives, 1020 "O" Street, 4th floor, Sacramento, California.  You may also contact us about purchase. 
 
Thankful Thursday is just one of the blog themes suggested on GeneaBloggers.  Get your family research noticed here; send a short story and/or image to rootcellarsgs@gmail.com.
 
posted by Denise HIbsch Richmond

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Wordless Wednesday: Women Proprietors 1850-1930

Posted by Picasa
Cover photo of the index compiled by members of the Extraction Committee from records held at the Center for Sacramento History
 and published by Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society

Wordless Wednesday is just one of the blogging themes suggested on GeneaBloggers.  Get your family research noticed here; submit a short story or image to rootcellarsgs@gmail.com.

posted by Denise Hibsch Richmond

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Sassy Jane's Tuesday's Tip: Time to Stock Up on Archival Supplies


Sassy Jane Genealogy Blog: Archives & Family History: Tuesday's Tip: Time to Stock Up on Archival Suppli...: Want to shop where professional archivists get their archival supplies? And how about a 15 percent discount at the same time? Then ...

Sassy Jane always has something helpful on her blog. Today's post was no exception.  The word "sale" and "archival supplies" caught my eye.  I may need these supplies as I begin tackling the piles of stuff on my side of the home office that I share with my husband Scott.  I call it Mt. Genealogy but there are papers to be shredded in the foothills!  Thanks Sassy!

posted by Denise Hibsch Richmond

Tuesday's Tip: Google Shortcut Changes

Have you heard?  Those wily programmers at Google have made a change that impacts our Google web searches.  The + sign is no longer functional in a search string; it's been replaced.  To search for an exact word or phrase now, use double quotation marks.

One of my current Google Alerts is:

"morrow county" +ohio

Now, I need to change it to:

"morrow county" "ohio"

The minus sign still works though, as in "clinton county" ohio -jail.  (I was getting too many jailed persons alerts!)

The tilde sign ~ also works like the + sign used to.

I would not have known about this change had I not been subscribed to and read about it in (Dick) Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsetter and Lisa Louise Cooke's The Genealogy Gems E-Newsletter of 26 Oct 2011.  Other search tools are available at Google Support.

Tuesday's Tip is just one of the blogging themes suggested on GeneaBloggers.  Get your ancestors noticed here  --  select a blogging theme from the page tab above and send an image or short story to rootcellarsgs@gmail.com

posted by Denise HIbsch Richmond