Monday, July 30, 2012

New Videos from the National Archives

The National Archives has launched new online videos of its most popular genealogy “how to” workshops. These videos cover “hot topics” in genealogical research such as Civil War records, online resources and databases, and more. These workshops led by National Archives experts are available on the National Archives YouTube channel at http://tinyurl.com/NARAGenie.

The National Archives–produced Know Your Records video shorts cover the creation, scope, content, and use of National Archives records for genealogical research. “We are happy to make more of our most popular genealogy lectures available online. We welcome researcher feedback and will continue to make more workshops available online for free for viewing by anyone, anywhere, at any time,” said Diane Dimkoff, Director of Customer Services.

For the first time, researchers and staff voted for their favorite topics—and the National Archives listened:

Access to Archival Databases (AAD) for Genealogists (54:57) http://tinyurl.com/NARAaad -- National Archives electronic records expert Dan Law discusses using electronic records for genealogy research and shows how to access such records using the National Archives Access to Archival Databases (AAD) online search engine.

Documenting Death in the Civil War (1:22:29) http://tinyurl.com/NARACivWar --
National Archives genealogy expert John Deeben explores War Department death records created during and after the Civil War. These records show how the government documented personal circumstances of soldiers’ deaths on the battlefield, in military hospitals, and in prisons.

Let No Man Put Asunder: Freedmen’s Bureau Marriage Records (1:12:09) http://tinyurl.com/FreedmensBur -- National Archives archivist Reginald Washington explores marriage records from the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands (the Freedmen's Bureau). The Freedmen’s Bureau provided assistance to tens of thousands of former slaves and impoverished whites in the Southern states and the District of Columbia. These records from 1865 through 1872 constitute the richest and most extensive documentary source for investigating the African American experience in the post–Civil War and Reconstruction eras.

Army Service in the Civil War: An Overview (1:02:44) http://youtu.be/nUTbjQM32vc -- Over 2.8 million men (and a few hundred women) served in the Union and Confederate armies during the Civil War. National Archives genealogy expert John Deeben demonstrates how to research and use Civil War Army service records.

Exodus to Kansas: The 1880 Senate Investigation of the Beginnings of the African American Migration from the South (1:05:26) http://tinyurl.com/Exoduster --
National Archives archivist Damani Davis examines Federal records relating to the “Kansas Exodus” (the so-called “Exoduster” movement), which was the first instance of voluntary, mass migration among African Americans. This mass exodus generated considerable attention throughout the nation and resulted in a major 1880 Senate investigation. For more information, see http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2008/summer/exodus.html.

National Archives Records on Ancestry.com (56:38) -- Ancestry.com has digitized selected National Archives microfilm publications and original records and made them available on their web sites for a fee. Lead Family Historian for Ancestry.com Anastasia Harman discusses these records and their use for genealogy research. Access to Ancestry.com and Fold3 (formerly Footnote.com) is available free of charge in all National Archives Research Rooms, including those in our regional archives and Presidential Libraries. For a list of National Archives records available online through Ancestry.com and other digitization partners, see http://www.archives.gov/digitization/digitized-by-partners.html.

Background on “Know Your Records” programs
The National Archives holds the permanently valuable records of the Federal Government. These include records of interest to genealogists, such as pension files, ship passenger lists, census and Freedmen’s Bureau materials. The “Know Your Records Program” offers opportunities for staff, volunteers, and researchers to learn about these records through lectures, ongoing genealogy programs, workshops, symposia, the annual genealogy fair, an online genealogy tutorial, reference reports for genealogical research, and editions of Researcher News for Washington, DC, area researchers.

Source: news release from the National Archives
submitted by Nancy Lenoil, State Archivist of California
posted by Denise H. Richmond

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Buy a Book, Help the Library

Who doesn't love a sale and books?  I received notice about this sale and thought it might be of interest to you.

The Friends of the Sacramento Public Library is having a warehouse book sale on August 4 and 11, 2012.

More than 70,000 "gently used" books, videos, records, and books-on-cassettes will be offered for prices from fifty cents to $2 at the August 4 and 11 sale at the warehouse of the Friends of the Sacramento Public Library.

The warehouse is at Suite E, 8250 Belvedere Ave., just south of 14th Ave. between Power Inn Rd. and Florin-Perkins Rd.  Sale hours will be from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday August 4, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on August 11.

There will be a preview for Friends members only from 9 a.m. to noon on August 4 (You can join at the door for $15).

Income from the sale helps pay for programs, equipment, and materials local libraries need but can't afford.  [The genealogy programs offered for free at the Sacramento Central Library are supported by the "Friends" - an extra special reason to check out the warehouse sale. - Denise] 

The Friends' "Book Den" store at the warehouse, with most items priced individually from $3 up, will be open during the sale, as well as weekly on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  For more information, call (916) 731-8493 or go to fspl@att.net.

Friends of the Library Warehouse
8250 Belvedere Ave.,
Rear of Suite E, off Power Inn Road,
one block south of 14th Avenue
916-731-8493

posted by Denise H. Richmond

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Society Saturday - Family History Day at the California State Archives

"Just the facts mam" was Sergeant Joe Friday's famous line from the Dragnet radio and TV series.  The line also rings true in the search for ancestors.  Where are the facts?  What if there's a bit of fiction (lore) mixed with those facts?  Can your ancestors still be found?

Answers to these questions and more await you at Family History Day at the California State Archives on Saturday, October 13, 2012.   Discovering Ancestral Gold is the theme at this all day free event open to the public.

At Family History Day you will learn:
  • How to start the quest for your family roots or revive old research
  • What basic resources to use onsite and online
  • Where to get ongoing help locally and afar

Highlights of the Day
  • Welcome by Nancy Lenoil, State Archivist, California State Archives
  • Keynote address by Lisa B. Lee, professional genealogist and owner of GotGenealogy.com.  Ms. Lee's topic will be “Genealogy Basics, The Constant Companion of Family Historians”.   Ms. Lee will also teach the class “Finding your Black Ancestors, an Introduction”.  
  • 25+ classes in basic genealogical research techniques and resources presented by local and statewide  genealogical experts
  • Tours of the Archives Preservation Lab
  • “Insider” tours of the State Archives
  • 25+ exhibitors representing genealogical, historical and lineage societies, research libraries, archives, and preservation experts - some offering live internet searches
  • Root Cellar Genealogical Society Library - open for browsing its extensive collections and talking to the Librarian and member volunteers
  • Volunteers and exhibitors wearing period clothing to reflect the bygone days of our ancestors.  You too?
  • La Bou Cafe, open from 9am - 2pm, 11th and "O" Streets, one block away

What you can do
  • Pre-register - let us know you're coming!
  • Reserve a Syllabus ($5.00) with all the class handouts and list of exhibitors
  • Pre-register and reserve a Syllabus in one email sent to fhdmailbox@gmail.com
  • Follow or subscribe to the Blog for Family History Day for event details
  • Tell a friend, bring a friend!

Family History Day
California State Archives
1020 “O” Street, Sacramento
Saturday, October 13, 2012
8:30am - 4:30pm
Cost: Free (see ''What you can do'' above)

(Note: several members of Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society are organizing this event)

Sponsors: California State Archives; Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society; Genealogical and Historical Council of Sacramento Valley, and The California Museum

posted by Denise H. Ricmond

Friday, July 27, 2012

Follow Friday – Your Genetic Genealogist

If you are interested in the use of DNA for genealogy research, you may want to follow the "Your Genetic Genealogist" blog. The author of the blog, CeCe Moore, is issuing a series entitled DNA Testing for Genealogy. Since I am having my DNA analysis done, I am very curious about all that I do not know about this approach to genealogy. 

The blog's header reads:

YOUR GENETIC GENEALOGIST
DISCOVER THE FASCINATING WORLD OF GENETIC GENEALOGY (DNA TESTING FOR GENEALOGY)! THIS BLOG STRIVES TO MAKE THE SUBJECT ACCESSIBLE AND UNDERSTANDABLE FOR THE NON-SCIENTIST. WRITTEN BY CECE MOORE, A PROFESSIONAL GENETIC GENEALOGIST AND EXPERIENCED PERSONAL GENOMICS CONSUMER.

Some of the most recent titles for the blog include: 

  • Known Relative Studies at FTDNA: Third Cousin Comparison and More Random atDNA Inheritance
  • Family Tree DNA Adds New RSRS Reporting for Mitochondrial DNA
  • Latest News from Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation and GeneTree
  • My Review of AncestryDNA's Admixture Tool and a Glimpse into the Future of Genetic Genealogy
  • 23andMe Announces Beta Testing of New Ancestry Features at Jamboree
  • I Found My Third Cousin Today at 23andMe!
You can follow "Your Genetic Genealogist" by following the RSS feed from www.yourgeneticgenealogist.com/

Posted by Ron Setzer

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Wordless Wednesday



Bertha Belle Babcock
b. 24 August 1885
Salem, Jewell, Kansas
d. 9 July 1949
Soda Springs, Nevada, California

Virgil Sheldon Jones
b. 2 October 1935
Reno, Washoe, Nevada
d. 11 July 1986
Yacoma, Yacoma, Washington

Posted by Ron Setzer

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Tombstone Tuesday

My GG Grandparents' gravestone

William R. Ralston
b. 18 December 1831 in Lebanon, Lebanon, Pennsylvania
d. 7 November 1912 in Marion, Grant, Indiana
(in the US National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers)

Mary J. (Painter) Ralston
b. 1 October 1839 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
d. 9 April 1902 in Massillon, Stark, Ohio

They are buried in Leiters Ford IOOF Cemetery in Fulton, Indiana.

Posted by Ron Setzer

Monday, July 23, 2012

PERRY D. BABCOCK, 74, DIES AT HOME HERE – Sunday Obituary on Monday

Perry D. Babcock, 74, for many years a resident of the region, died yesterday at his home south of Prospect Lake. He came to Colorado in 1895, settled on a farm 25 miles east of Colorado Springs, and in 1900 moved into the city. He continued to live here until 1919, when he went to California, returning to Colorado Springs about 3 years ago.

Surviving him are two sons, Warren Babcock, Arlington, Calif., and Marshall Babcock, Riverside, Calif.; four daughters, Mrs. Oscar Jones of Soda Springs, Calif.; Mrs. L. E. Perkins of Longmont, Colo.; Mrs. Will Gillock, Deerfield, Kan.; Mrs. Achsah Clasby, Arbuckle, Calif., And two brothers, L. C. Babcock of this city and Sherman Babcock of San Diego, California.


Colorado Springs Gazette 
Tuesday, 17 November 1931, page 1.


Perry Demetrius Babcock
b. 6 April 1857
d. 16 November 1931

He is my Great Grandfather and I need to find his gravesite.

Posted by Ron Setzer

Sunday, July 22, 2012

ROSEVILLE GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY MEETING

Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Maidu Senior Center, 1550 Maidu Dr., Roseville, CA
Meeting 1-3 pm

Program: World Vital Records & Mocavo
The presentation will show the many ways we can search for our ancestors using the website, World Vital Records. The Mocavo search engine may find our genealogy answers more quickly then some other search engines.
Speaker: Alton Sissell
Presenter Bio: I was born in Nebraska, in 1940 and have a twin sister. I stated my genealogy studies in 1977, tracing my Mother's side of the family. My KUSTER family helped found Germantown, Pennsylvania, in 1683. George Armstrong Custer is my 4th cousin. I have an adopted father and have a opportunity to do genealogy on three family lines. My birth father's father, WEETS, come to Nebraska in 1893 from Mane, Germany.
My SISSELL, ancestor's came to America about 1642, as Scots-Irish and settled in Montgomery County, Maryland. I am past president of Computer Rooters, the first Computer/Genealogy Club in United States. I served on the executive board of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia for 12 years.
I serve as a volunteer at the Sacramento Family Center. I served in the Air force as a navigator on B52's for 5 years and as a pilot for 1 year. I retired from the State of California after 30 years as a computer analyst. I have 4 children, 12 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
Everyone welcome. Hope to see you there.
Submitted by Helen Astill
Posted by Ron Setzer

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Are you a member of National Genealogical Society?

Are you a member of NGS?
           If you are there are some exciting things coming up for you. AND it is never too late to sign up.


Reserve Your Room Now for the Las Vegas Conference
The 2013 NGS Family History Conference, Building New Bridges, will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, from 8–11 May 2013. The conference hotel and venue will be the LVH−Las Vegas Hotel & Casino (formerly known as the Las Vegas Hilton). The LVH will accept reservations via telephone 1-800-635-7711 or online


Special Offer for a Fold3 Annual Membership

The National Genealogical Society is proud to announce a partnership with Fold3, the premier military history website. NGS has worked with Fold3 to give its society membership an extremely attractive member benefit. Fold3 is offering NGS members its lowest price when they purchase a Fold3 Annual Membership of $39.95, which is a 50% savings off the regular price. In additional to the NGS member savings, Fold3 will donate 30% of each sale back to NGS to further its educational work. More information

Voices of Genealogy Video Series Continues This Summer
The July video offering in the celebration of the NGSQ’s 100th anniversary will be the delightful Mary McCampbell Bell, cg, telling stories of the people and experiences that were important to her learning and development as a genealogist. More information at NGS
New NGS Course Available: Genetic Genealogy, The Basics
NGS is proud to present its newest American Genealogy Studies course, Genetic Genealogy, The Basics, developed by Dr. Thomas H. Shawker. In this six-lesson self-paced course, you will learn about the structure of the DNA molecule, how the Y chromosome is inherited, the two types of DNA markers used in genetic genealogy, haplotypes and haplogroups, how to evaluate the test results, and how the mitochondrial DNA molecule is inherited and how it can be used in genealogy.

The course is designed for independent study. Students check their work with an answer key that immediately follows each self-test. Genetic Genealogy, The Basics is available on a PC- or MAC-compatible CD in a PDF format. The tuition is $45.00 for members and $70.00 for non-members. More information or to register
Taken from NGS emails, blog and website...... all for your enjoyment through the summer months.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Hear Yee!! Hear Yee!! Sutro Library about to Re-open


Message from Diana Kohnke / Librarian - California State Library - Sutro Library

The Sutro Library will be re-opening on Wednesday, August 1st. Hours:Monday through Friday 10AM-5PM. 

The staff at Sutro are truly grateful for the patience we have shown during the move to their new location at San Francisco State University. As they have mentioned to most of us, the wait will not have been in vain as the new facilities are top notch, with an abundance of windows and natural lighting.  

Also, their interlibrary loan services are now operational and if we would like to obtain any of their circulating resources we can now do so through our local library. 

In addition to this, for those of us driving our vehicle there, they have provided us with a link below to SFSU's Parking & Transportation website. If you have any further questions about parking or anything else, please call 415-469-6100 or email us 





Contact Information:

Diana Kohnke

Librarian

California State Library - Sutro Library

J. Paul Leonard Library, Room 610

1630 Holloway Drive

San Francisco, CA 94132-4030

415-469-6103

Thursday, July 19, 2012

National Archives of Italy & FamilySearch.org

I don't have any Italian ancestors, but I thought this was a very exciting break through with Italian records and documents. I was reading about this on FamilySearch.org itself and then today Dick Eastman's email came in with some of the same informaiton.  

"FamilySearch launched a historic partnership with the National Archives of Italy in December 2011 to digitally preserve and index its civil registration records (birth, marriage, and death) for all states from 1802 to 1940. Since the project launch more than 24 million images have been published, and 4 million names have been made searchable on FamilySearch

But there are 115 million historic Italian documents with over 500...But there are 115 million historic Italian documents with over 500 million names remaining to index and publish. Tens of thousands of volunteers are needed. To meet this opportunity, FamilySearch is requesting help from indexers and arbitrators who speak or read Italian or a closely related language, such as Spanish, or who are willing to learn a handful of simple Italian words and phrases to help facilitate the initiative.

To search the completed Italian records online and to learn more about reading Italian records, visit FamilySearch - Italy."

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

FGS Radio - don't miss this one





Saturday, July 21, 2012  

1:00 pm Central 

This week's episode hosted by Randy Whited is entitled Scan It and Share It - Digitization Projects for Your Society. The guest will be Gary Ward, President and Program chairman for the Lockport Area Genealogical and Historical Society They will be discussing how to get started in a digitization project for your society, from content selection to indexing and hosting. THey will also be featuring FGS member society Farmington (MI) Genealogical Society   in our weekly Society Spotlight feature. 



Tune in to FGS Radio - My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.


  Click this link to set a reminder or to tune in

Information coming to from Thomas MacEntee through Federation of Genealogical Society


Monday, July 16, 2012

On this day in history...... In 1790

1790 : Congress declares Washington D.C. new capital. new capital in 1790

How can you use this information in your personal family tree? A lot of interesting facts and alot of history.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Update of the 1940 U.S. Census

On July 9 there were 5 Million records indexed. Amazing !!!

Where are we on the indexing process? On July 9 Rhode Island and Minnesota were added to the searchable data base. 

So now there are 31 states completed indexed and searchable. HOORAY!! California being one.

3 additional states are 100% indexed and arbitrated and are almost ready to go up online.

2 additional states are 90% indexed and arbitrated.

3 additional states are 70% - 80% indexed and arbitrated.

152,861 indexers are signed on doing the project.

.....and again New Jersey is only 37% indexed. So what is happening here. We must be leaving New Jersery till the end???? 

I do hope that you will continue indexing even though California or whatever your home state is is complete. There is still plenty of indexing of the 1940 US Census to go around. AND when we are done with the 1940 US Census there are so many projects that still need to be indexed. Please stay around and help out with all these other projects.

What a great opportunity to help

...... to help while never leaving your home,

......to help at any time of the day or night,

......to help wearing whatever you want,

......to help without getting all dressed up or without putting on makeup.

Think about it, you are the boss.......  indexing helps everyone - everywhere.


Saturday, July 14, 2012

Workshop Wednesday

We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, July 18th at the next Root Cellar Workshop.  The topic will be Documentation.

Back from vacation where you discovered more family history?  Come  and share your successful finds and travel research tips.

Have a brickwall?  Let the group help you get out of your research rut.

The workshop may include a webinar and/or demo of a research tool. It's free and guests welcome!

What:  Genealogy Workshop: Documentation
When: July 18, 2012
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Where: Clubhouse at Country Squire Estates, 5720 Oak Hill Drive, Sacramento, California

posted by Denise H. Richmond

Society Saturday - Sacramento County Coroner's Records Collection Completed

Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society is very pleased to announce the completion  of the Sacramento County Coroner's Records Collection 1887 - 1969.  The progress of producing this 20 book collection of over 70,000 indexed names was chronicled, in part, here and here.

Every Friday morning for over three years the extraction team lead by Marilyn Ulbricht assembled at the Center for Sacramento History where the records are held.  Each volunteer had a coroner's record book from which entries were extracted. The books were fragile and cumbersome to manage, some measuring nearly 18 inches square. Great care was taken to protect crumbling spines and delicate pages. Pat Johnson, Senior Archivist at the Center, welcomed 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 adage "dead men tell no tales" couldn't be further from the truth when it comes to coroner's records.  Genealogists with kin of all ages and gender who lived in Sacramento County from 1887-1969 could learn valuable clues about their last place of residence, cause of death and more from our newly completed collection. 

Dae Powell, the Shoestring Genealogist, wrote about the types of coroner's records, how to locate them, and online resources.  The article, written in 2007, remains relevant today except for need to add the Sacramento County Coroner's Records Collection to her list of resources!

The books are available for purchase in the Store on our website or by contacting us by email.

posted by Denise H. Richmond

Friday, July 13, 2012

Friday Friends of Friends

Northern California Family History Expo in Sacramento June2012

FACES of ROOT CELLAR MEMBERS (lots of blue shirts spotted over the two days - thanks for wearing your shirts and carrying your bags & wearing your swingers - it all makes a difference and you are all looking good!!) & GENE FRIENDS - Davis GeneSociety/ Sacto Jewish Gene Society/ Roseville Gene Society / GAS / CSGA / German Gene Society & some knitting buds too.

Interesting Conference!! I'd be interested in your thoughts about the conference (you can leave a comment at the bottom of this post by clicking on COMMENT)
Mark your calendar for the next year's expo in Sacramento - June 28 & 29, 2013





































Posted by Sandra Gardner Benward for your enjoyment.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Share the Wealth - Helpful Websites

I thought I would share a few finds from around the world-wide web with you.  Share the wealth - what links have you found?  Leave a comment to let others know (email subscribers - click title of article for Comment link).

The Legal Genealogist - Attorney and genealogist Judy G. Russell helps people understand the interplay between genealogy and the law.  Her article about the Federal Land Primer was particularly interesting to me.

The California Digital  Newspaper Collection  contains over 400,000 pages of significant historical California newspapers published from 1846-1922, including the first California newspaper, the Californian, and the first daily California newspaper, the Daily Alta California. It also contains issues of several current California newspapers that are part of a pilot project to preserve and provide access to contemporary papers.  I bird-walked my way through the Los Angeles Herald for hours looking for my many California ancestors.  Thanks to Root Cellar member Lois Shumaker for submitting the link to this website.

Center for Bibliographical Studies and Research  Current programs include English Short-Title Catalog, California Newspaper Project, California Digital Newspaper Project, Latin American Project, and California Newspaper Microfilm Archive.

Olive Tree Genealogy 1,900+ pages of free genealogy records

posted by Denise H. Richmond

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Wordless Wednesday - Ice Cream Genes

Alva L. Hutson, Proprietor and
Great-grandfather of Denise H. Richmond,
circa 1920s and '30s
Wordless Wednesday is one of many blog prompts suggested on Geneabloggers. Share your document or photo that speaks for itself  -- send it to rootcellarsgs@gmail.com.

posted by Denise H. Richmond

Monday, July 9, 2012

Thomas Jones to Speak in Menlo Park

Save the date!

If you have not heard Thomas Jones speak, you must not miss this opportunity.  If you have heard Thomas Jones speak, you must not miss another opportunity.  He'll be just over two hours from downtown Sacramento.  I had no idea who he was a couple years ago when I attended one of his sessions at a conference because the description of the class piqued my interest. Wow, what a rewarding experience!  His presentation was chock-full of thought-provoking problem-solving methods and solutions.  I have since learned that he is a renown genealogical speaker and accomplished researcher.

Here's the scoop:

Host:  San Mateo County Genealogical Society Fall 2012 Seminar
Speaker: Thomas Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL,
Program: Proven Methods for Genealogical Success
Date: Saturday, November 3, 2012
Time:  9:00am - 3:00pm
Location: Menlo Park LDS Church, 1105 Vaparaiso Ave., Menlo Park
Advance Registration: $36 members; $42 non-members

Thomas Jones will present four sessions:
  • Going Beyond Bare Bones: Reconstructing Your Ancestor’s Lives
  • The Genealogical Proof Standard:  What It Is & What It Is Not
  • Finding “Unfindable” Ancestors
  • 5 Proven Techniques for Finding Your Ancestor’s European Origins
The class descriptions, registration form and other details are on the Society's website.

Do I hear carpool?

posted by Denise Hibsch Richmond

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Family History Expo in Sacramento Wraps Up

I enjoyed the final day at the conference. Many Root Cellar members were in attendance which always makes it nice. My first workshop was with Stephen Morse, who most genealogists are familiar with through his One-Step Webpages (www.stevemorse.org). I caught his second class on DNA entitled "Genealogy Beyond the Y Chromosome: Autosomes Exposed." Very enlightening. I followed up with a heavy dose of James L. Tanner. I had attended one of his workshops on Friday and was very taken with his knowledge and personal delivery. I picked up so much from his first Friday lecture, "Using the Google Gold Mine for Genealogy" that I decided to follow him from classroom to classroom for the remainder of the day. No, I was not stalking, just interested in his topics: "The FamilySearch Research Wiki: The most valuable genealogical resource on the internet" and "Ancestry.com for Experienced Users." I was not the only one inspired by Mr. Tanner. His classes were overflowing; people were sitting on the floor or standing for the entire session. Unfortunately, the air conditioning did not function properly in all of the rooms, so it became a test of endurance and desire for people to stay for the entire class. But overall, a good time was had by all and we came away with tricks and tips to immediately try.
Posted by Ron Setzer

NEHGS comes to the Bay Area

SAVE THE DATE!

The California Genealogical Society (CGS) and Library has announced that the New England Historical and Genealogical Society (NEHGS) will be coming to the Bay Area on Saturday, October 27, 2012.

We will post details here when they become available or you can check the CGS website

posted by Denise Hibsch Richmond

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Family History Expo opens in Sacramento

The Northern California Family History Expo began its conference in Sacramento yesterday afternoon. In an effort to fit the schedules of more attendees, the expo opened at 1:00 pm and continued on to 9:00 pm. Saturday's agenda starts at 9:00 am with registration for single day attendees and exhibitors' booths being open.
Friday's speakers began with Dean L. McLeod's "Your Family History Starts Here!" His message to genealogists of all levels was remember the fundamental process of research – go "box diving" for treasures and move beyond the Internet. He further reminded us to verify our facts with multiple sources. Sound advice for new and experienced researchers.
Biff and Nancy Barnes's series of classes on writing and publishing a family history book was very intriguing. I missed the first class and caught the second class. They have an easy style of presentation which reminds you of a friend telling their experiences.
Plenty of Root Cellar members were in attendance. Several more sessions will happen before the closing keynote address this afternoon at 3:30 pm.
Posted by Ron Setzer

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Northern California Family History Expo 2012 Welcomes Bloggers

Several national and local bloggers will be in evidence at the 2012 Northern California Family History Expo. The Expo begins tomorrow (July 6th, at 1:00 pm) in Sacramento, California at Crowne Plaza Hotel (5321 Date Avenue, Sacramento, California  95841).
Some the bloggers who will offer their knowledge of blogging and genealogy are:
  • Sheri Fenley, The Educated Genealogist 
  • Nancy Loe, Sassy Jane Genealogy 
  • Leah Allen, Leah’s Family Tree 
  • Kim von Aspern-Parker, Le Maison Duchamp 
  • James L. Tanner, Genealogy’s Star 
  • Arlene H. Eakle, Genealogy Evidence 
  • Debbie Mascot, Mascot Manor Genealogy 
  • Craig Siulinski, August Legacy and Genealogy Jamming 
  • Holly T. Hansen, Family History Expos Genealogy Blog 
  • Leland K. Meitzler, GenealogyBlog
I look forward to seeing you there.
On the first day, one of the most interesting workshops for me will be Michael Booth's Writing Your Personal History (and Living to Tell About It) It is geared for all levels of expertise. It is described as, "So you’ve wanted to write a personal history but get overwhelmed with the size and complexity of the task. Where do I start? What do I write? How do I make it interesting for others to read? Join us for an entertaining look at methods to recall, organize, write, and publish personal histories about yourself and other individuals." This looks particularly valuable for people wishing to enter Root Cellar's 2012 Family History Writing Contest.
You may register at the door for either of the two days or for the complete conference.
Posted by Ron Setzer

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Root Cellar Publications List

Since its beginnings in 1978, Root Cellar –  Sacramento Genealogical Society has endeavored to make local records available to the public. Our extraction committee continually labors to create indices and abstractions. This is a list of currently available publications. You may find a further description of each work on Root Cellar's website parentheses forget that (www.rootcellar.org) under the "Store" menu.

CA Homestead Act Records for Sacramento Co., CA 1860-1929
$18.00 plus $1.40 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

CA State Militia, Index to the Muster Rolls of 1851 – 1866, Vol. 1-4
$95.00 plus $7.36 CA Sales Tax and $8.50 Postage and Handling**

California State Prison, Folsom, CA, 1879 – 1903, Numerical Register
$12.50 plus $.97 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Civil Court Records, Sacramento Co., CA, 1850 to 1879 Index

$25.00 plus $1.94 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Delayed Birth Records, Sacramento Co., CA (Earliest 1865 and latest 1980)
$15.00 plus $1.16 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Divorces, Sacramento Co., CA, District Court, 1850-1879, Index and Abstractions
$25.00 plus $1.94 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Extraction & Index for the PIONEER, the Yearbook for Sacramento Junior College for the Years 1930, 1931 and 1932
$ 5.00 plus $.39 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Folsom Prison, CA – List of Convicts, July 26, 1880 through 1942
$35.00 plus $2.71 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Index to City of Sacramento Police Mug Books (1860-1915)
$15.00 plus $1.16 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Index to the List of Baptisms, Marriages, Deaths and Confirmations in the Districts of Folsom, Live Oak, Elk Grove, Galt, Courtland and Walnut Grove, Jan. 1, 1883 to April 6, 1913 (Y)
$ 5.00 plus $.39 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Index to the Registry of Baptisms, St. John’s Church, Folsom, CA, July 1869 to Dec. 1882, and St. Joseph’s Church (formerly St. Teresa’s) Auburn, (Placer Co.) CA, 1883 to May 1925 (P)$10.00 plus $.78 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Index to the Registry of Marriages – St. John’s Church, Folsom, CA and St. Theresa Church, Auburn, Placer Co., CA, from 1883 to Feb. 1925 (B)
$ 5.00 plus $.39 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Marriage Affidavits, Sacramento Co., CA, 1850-1906
$30.00 plus $2.33 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Masonic Lawn Cemetery, Masonic Plot in Old City Cemetery, 1859 and Masonic Lawn to 1939, Sacramento, CA
$10.00 plus $.78 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Miners Listed in the Sacramento County 1850 Census
$ 5.00 plus $.39 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Pleasant Grove & Fairview Cemeteries (Sutter Co., CA) Index and Gravestone Detail
$12.50 plus $.97 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Pleasant Grove Cemetery (Sutter Co., CA) Index and Plot Detail
$15.00 plus $1.16 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Records of Folsom, CA, Indexes and Extractions 1856-1909 (Vol. 1)
$10.00 plus $.78 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Records of Folsom, CA, Indexes and Extractions 1863-1880 & 1911-1919 (Vol. 2)
$ 5.00 plus $.39 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Rocklin Cemetery Records, Rocklin, CA (Placer Co., CA)
$18.00 plus $1.40 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Sacramento Co. Coroner’s Records Collection, 1887-1969, Vol. 1 – Bks. 1-3, Aug. 1887 – Dec. 1902
$20.00 plus $1.55 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Sacramento Co. Coroner’s Records Collection, 1887-1969, Vol. II – Bks. 4-6, Jan. 1903 – Dec. 1914
$25.00 plus $1.94 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Sacramento Co. Coroner’s Records Collection, 1887-1969, Vol. III – Bk. 7, Nov. 1911 – Aug. 1929
$20.00 plus $1.55 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Sacramento Co. Coroner’s Records Collection, 1887-1969, Vol. IV – Bk. 8, Apr. 1919 – Dec. 1934
$25.00 plus $1.94 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Sacramento Co. Coroner’s Records Collection, 1887-1969, Vol. V – Bks. 9-12, Dec. 1925 – Apr. 1964
$30.00 plus $2.33 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Sacramento Co. Coroner’s Records Collection, 1887-1969, Vol. VI – Bk. 13, Jan. 1935 – Dec. 1940
$20.00 plus $1.55 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Sacramento Co. Coroner’s Records Collection, 1887-1969, Vol. VII – Bk. 14, Jan. 1941 – Dec. 1947
$25.00 plus $1.94 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Sacramento Co. Coroner’s Records Collection, 1887-1969, Vol. VIII – Bk. 15, Jan. 1948 – Dec. 1952
$20.00 plus $1.55 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Sacramento Co. Coroner’s Records Collection, 1887-1969, Vol. IV – Bk. 16, Jan. 1953 – Dec. 1956
$20.00 plus $1.55 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Sacramento Co. Coroner’s Records Collection, 1887-1969, Vol. X – Bk. 17, Jan. 1947 – Dec. 1960
$20.00 plus $1.55 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Sacramento County Justice Court Cases 1850-1877, Defendants & Plaintiffs
$30.00 plus $2.33 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

San Francisco Cadets Application to Enlist 1882-1883 & Veterans of the Mexican War, 2nd Brigade, San Francisco Muster Rolls, 1869-1872$ 5.00 plus $.39 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

San Quentin Prison, CA – List of Convicts, 1851 through 1939 (Vol. 1, A-L)
$35.00 plus $2.71 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

San Quentin Prison, CA – List of Convicts, 1851 through 1939 (Vol. 2, M-Z) $35.00 plus $2.71 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

San Quentin Prison, CA – List of Convicts, Jan. 1, 1940 to Dec. 31, 1944
$35.00 plus $2.71 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

San Quentin Prison, CA – List of Convicts, Jan. 1, 1945 – Mar. 22, 1947
$15.00 plus $1.16 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

Women Proprietors or Sole Traders, Sacramento, CA, 1850-1930
$15.00 plus $1.16 CA Sales Tax and Postage and Handling**

**Postage and Handling – $4.00 for the first book/volume and $1.50 per book/volume thereafter.
Send order to: Root Cellar – SGS, PO Box 265, Citrus Heights, CA 95611-0265

Posted by Ron Setzer

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Final Days of Registration Savings for Northern California Expo!

Learn the tech to trace your roots!

Be sure to take advantage of the pre-registration savings for our upcoming Northern California Family History Expo in Sacramento, CA. They will have an array of vendors with the latest tools and techniques to help in verifying your ancestors. They also have an agenda filled with speakers to help you move your research along.

The date of the Northern California Expo on July 06 - 07, 2012 is fast approaching and the deadline for pre-registration ends July 5, 2012. The pre-registration price is $69 and goes up to $99 at the door. Click here to go to online registration.

Crowne Plaza Sacramento Northeast
5321 Date Avenue
Sacramento, California - 95841
916-338-5800

Posted by Ron Setzer


Sunday, July 1, 2012

Citations and documentation – What are your thoughts?

A lively discussion occurred at Root Cellar's Reunion for the Mac segment meeting last week about citing and documenting our research. It demonstrated to me that many genealogists are not on the same page when it comes to sourcing their work. With so many different genealogical databases out there for the PC and Mac that more or less automatically give you fill in forms for your citations, you would think more of us would be inclined to keep track of our sources. Whether you use your own version or follow Elizabeth Shown Mills's examples, everyone should be documenting their efforts. Personally, I would have a hard time justifying my nearly 2 1/2 decades of research that I have done if I thought that my descendants who may became interested in their family history would find my research of little use. So my current project is going back through each of my ancestors and documenting more fully where I found my information. I want to create signposts for someone else to easily see the validity of my statements. This is not an easy project. Considerable tedious effort will be call for. Is it worth it? How do you handle your sources? Do you feel comfortable that your research will stand the test of time?
Posted by Ron Setzer