RootsWeb Review: RootsWeb's Weekly E-zine Vol. 6, No. 12, 19 March 2003, Circulation: 1,022,037+ (c) 1998-2003 RootsWeb.com, Inc. http://www.rootsweb.com/ Editor: Myra Vanderpool Gormley, Certified Genealogist Editor-RWR@rootsweb.com Certification: http://www.bcgcertification.org/certification/ * * * Do not send RWR subscription requests and modifications to the editor. Please use the following addresses: RWR-on@rootsweb.com -- adds you to the RWR Mailing List. RWR-off@rootsweb.com -- removes you from the RWR Mailing List. ======================================================================= In This Issue: 1. News and Notes. (1a. WorldConnect: Making Connections; Creating Backups. 1b. RootsWeb's Guide to Tracing Family Trees. 1c. Tips from Readers: "Deciphering Sloppy, Old Handwriting" 2. Connecting through RootsWeb: "Responses to 'Hoping for Help'"; and "Tallying Up" 3. New Webpages at RootsWeb 4. New RootsWeb Mailing Lists 5. New User-contributed Databases 6. New FreePages and HomePages (personal webpages at RootsWeb) 7. RootsWeb Review's Bottomless Mailbag: "Sharpening History Skills"; "Irish Immigrants to New Hampshire"; "Feedback Frenzy"; "Solving Source Problems"; "Those Aren't Earl Wells"; and "You're My What?" 8. Humor:"The Right Equipment" 9. RWR Reprint and Submissions Guidelines; Archives; Addresses; Subscription Modification Instructions ====================================================================== 1. News and Notes: ------------------ 1a. WorldConnect: Making Connections; Creating Backups When submitting or updating a GEDCOM on WorldConnect it is best NOT to remove or pre-clean the living people in your genealogy file. Submit your file in its entirety. Then choose what information is to be displayed online. The information about living persons in your GEDCOM file will be either CLEANED or REMOVED from display -- by World- Connect's top-notch filters based on the options you select on the Set- up page. (Note: This data is not actually deleted from your GEDCOMS -- it is only filtered from online viewing) The Set-up page offers a choice of CLEANING the living entries (that is the default option) or REMOVING them. The term CLEANING means the living entries will be shown as LIVING SURNAME (with the actual surname in place of the word SURNAME) with all other information such as dates, places, notes, and sources hidden from public display. The term REMOVING means these entries are expunged from the online display. Entries to be considered LIVING are determined by your selection of a CUTOFF year on the Set-up page with 1930 being the default selection. You may select a year prior to 1930, if you prefer. Entries in the GEDCOM with birth years (or estimated birth years) after the CUTOFF year are presumed to be living persons, if there is no entry in the death field. Whatever your choice of display options, you the submitter (and no one else), can download your intact GEDCOM with all the living data included just as you originally submitted it should you ever need to restore the file due to data loss on your own computer and/or backup disks. To download your own intact GEDCOM, just as you submitted it, start on the main WorldConnect page http://wc.rootsweb.com/ and click on: "Also, go here to update or correct your existing Family Tree" link. Enter the user code and password for your GEDCOM. Select either the Standard or Advanced Set-up page. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on RETRIEVE GEDCOM. You can only download your entire GEDCOM if you submitted a complete one to WorldConnect and didn't pre-clean it. WorldConnect has some sophisticated filters to help identify and clean or remove the living entries in your GEDCOM from online viewing. If you have birth dates or estimates for the living entries, or even marriage dates for their parents, birth dates of siblings, etc., WorldConnect will be able to identify them and clean or remove them provided that you do not have anything entered in the death field. Pre-cleaning with a separate utility tool for this purpose is not recommended because the use of such a tool can impede WorldConnect's filters in identifying the living entries. You can have your cake and eat it too by submitting your complete unaltered GEDCOM, but allowing WorldConnect to display only what you want the world to see of it. http://wc.rootsweb.com/ * * * 1b. RootsWeb's Guide to Tracing Family Trees All genealogists hit a slump in their research at one time or another. In some cases, it is difficult or seemingly impossible to continue, as they don't know where to look next. One of the many resources included on RootsWeb.com that can help you through difficult times is the RootsWeb Guide. The RootsWeb Guide is a series of lessons that each provides detailed information on a variety of topics. Regardless of a user’s experience, the guide offers something for everyone. Those who are just beginning their research can find directions that tell you where to begin, and give an overview of the various charts used for recording genealogical information. For those who may not be new to genealogy, but are new to the computer, there is a lesson on the use of technology in genealogical research that gives insight to some of the new techniques being used. In addition to the resources for those just beginning, the RootsWeb Guide gives instruction on the uses of various resources and how to use them most effectively, as well as information on specific localities. If the guides do not offer the information needed, the links in each lesson will direct you to a websites that may help you out. Browse the RootsWeb Guide to help you break down the walls in your research. http://rwguide.rootsweb.com/ * * * 1c. TIPS FROM READERS. Deciphering Sloppy, Old Handwriting Thanks to: Gene Ann Duyck mtdvol@msn.com I have been building a chronological Excel file of the MAGETTE/MAGET/ MAJETT surname in Surry and Southampton counties of Virginia, and Northampton and Hertford counties of North Carolina, trying to prove the father of my 2g-grandfather, Arthur C. MAGET/ MAGETT who was born ca 1812. In the process, I've looked at the censuses for MAGETs with whom I was not previously familiar. When I had trouble reading the different surname of a member of the household, I used the index to look up what I thought it said. Then I looked for the same census page number and given name. At least now I know how another person deciphered the name (and it was one which I had seen previously in the county, so it was most likely correct). 2. Connecting Through RootsWeb. Thanks for sharing your stories. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Responses to 'Hoping for Help' --Barbara Hill bhill@uclink4.berkeley.edu I was surprised not to see any letters in response to "Hoping for Help" in the 19 February 2003 issue of "RootsWeb Review." Al Cassell described a grandfather who consistently used the pronunciation "hope" when he meant "help" and wondered where this odd pronunciation may have come from, and the ancestry of those who have used it. I was immediately sure that "hope" came from old (Elizabethan?) English "holpen" and "holp" as past tenses for "help," but it was several days before I checked the "Dictionary of American Regional English," volume 2 (Harvard University Press, 1985-2002 plus one more volume due out to complete the set). This confirmed the use of the word in Southern states, and that it has at times devolved into the pronunciation "hope," and that it is chiefly found among African- Americans. [Editor's Note: As you will see below Cassell has received numerous responses to his query, as has the editor. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and information.] * * * Tallying Up Just for your information, I have kept a rather accurate count of messages on the "Hoping for Help" after an incredible turnout on the first day. To date, there have been 335 replies and it totally exceeded any expectations I may have had. I had no idea that RootsWeb Review was so popular and widely read. --Al Cassell henry8@ott.net ======================= Paid Advertisements ======================== NO-FIND NO-FEE OFFER FROM BRITISH ANCESTORS "This is the connection I was searching for -- thank you so much!" (PG, Alberta). Birth and marriage certificates from England and Scotland ordered daily. Our UK-based researchers provide low cost searches. We find your British ancestors or you pay nothing and we accept payment in your own currency. Visit today for a FREE! e-mail consultation. http://www.britishancestors.com/ * * * Finally a diet plan that fits your schedule! eDiets.com. eDiets; customized diet plans to fit your schedule. Click her to find out more! http://www.ediets.com/start.cfm?code=10454&media=belly&pass=1 ==================== End of Paid Advertisements ===================== 3. New Webpages at RootsWeb To Request a Free Web Account: http://accounts.rootsweb.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------- Some of these pages might not yet be accessible. They are created by volunteers, so if one that interests you isn't up yet, please check again in a few days or next week. http://www.rootsweb.com/~[accountname] Note that the ~[tilde] before the Web account name is required. Example: The Stanley County, South Dakota website is located at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~sdstanle/ AUSTRALIA vicfhs -- Frankston Historical Society Inc. (Ballam Park Historical Homestead, Frankston, Victoria) U.S.A. cabigra -- British Isles Genealogical Research Association (California) gabgcsar -- Button Gwinnett Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (Lawrenceville, Georgia) gaevans2 -- Evans County, Georgia gaglynn -- Glynn County, Georgia galiber2 -- Liberty County, Georgia kyjessam -- Jessamine County, Kentucky msfgs -- Mississippi Family Group Sheets Project nyucgs -- Ulster County Genealogical Society (New York) ohmorshs -- Morton One-Room School Historical Society (Shelby, Ohio) sdstanle -- Stanley County, South Dakota txsanjac -- San Jacinto County, Texas txswishe -- Swisher County, Texas 4. New Mailing Lists at RootsWeb Request a New Mailing List: http://resources.rootsweb.com/adopt/ ----------------------------------------------------------------- For more information and an index to the more than 26,400 RootsWeb- hosted genealogy Mailing Lists and easy subscribing options, go to: http://lists.rootsweb.com/ NEW SURNAME MAILING LISTS ALCHIN BARRELL, BIERS, BLITCH CHEEKE, CHEEKS, CLEVERLY, CLIBORNE, CLOUTHIER, CORDOVA CHARLEMAGNE -- Genealogy of Charlemagne -- aka Charles the Great (742-814) DETTMANN GANGER GROTTENDICK, GULLATT HADDENHAM, HALSAN KETELSEN, KLIBOURN, KLIBOURNE LEONHARD MCCLEOD, MILBERGER OLDING RAGAN, RANOUS, RATLEDGE, ROLFSON REITH-SCOTTISH -- The REITH surname from Scotland SMITH-CA -- The SMITH surname in California SMITH-NJ -- The SMITH surname in New Jersey, U.S.A. SCHIMKE, SEEL, SEISCHAB, SICKLER, SNAKELS TOBING, TOWERSON VENKHOUSE ZERING, ZIERER, ZWIRNER NEW ETHNIC AND SPECIAL INTEREST MAILING LISTS CAN-Naturalizations -- Finding ancestors in naturalization records in Canada CAN-ONT-MATTAWA -- Mattawa, Ontario, Canada STALAG_POW_CAMPS -- WWII Prisoners of War or the camps around Europe that they were held in by the Germans USA-Naturalizations -- Finding ancestors in naturalization records in the U.S.A. NEW REGIONAL MAILING LISTS ENG-CORNWALL-REDRUTH -- Redruth, Cornwall, England ENG-DERBYSHIRE-CHESTERFIELD -- Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England NW-ALABAMA -- Lauderdale, Limestone, Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Winston, Marion, Walker, Lamar, Pickens, Fayette, and Tuscaloosa counties in Alabama 5. New User-Contributed Databases at RootsWeb http://userdb.rootsweb.com/submit/ See the guidelines, tutorial, and examples of data formats for user- contributed data. Large or small files are welcome. http://userdb.rootsweb.com/guidelines.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The following databases have come online recently. They are searchable, but not browseable. MINNESOTA. 1920 Census Records 35 records; The Branching Tree http://userdb.rootsweb.com/census/index/ PENNSYLVANIA. Adams County. Flohrs Lutheran Church Cemetery 1,126 records; Deb Jones http://userdb.rootsweb.com/cemeteries/ VIRGINIA. Caroline County. C.T. Smith High School, 1927-1940 168 records; Paula L. Delosh http://userdb.rootsweb.com/alumni/ VIRGINIA. Caroline County. Mica High School, 1920-1940 233 records; Paula L.Delosh http://userdb.rootsweb.com/alumni/ U.S.A. Cemetery Records: GALLOWAY and related surnames 20 records; J. T. Mayes http://userdb.rootsweb.com/cemeteries/ U.S.A. Cemetery Records: WILLIAMS and related surnames 21 records; J. T. Mayes http://userdb.rootsweb.com/cemeteries/ 6. New Personal Freepages and Homepages at RootsWeb ---------------------------------------------------- Note: Comments and questions about any of these independently authored webpages should be directed to their respective compilers/webmasters. When your new, updated, or substantially revised personal pages located at RootsWeb (they will have "freepages" or "homepages" in the URL) are up and ready for visitors, please send the URL (Web address), along with a brief description, including the major pertinent surnames and what is available on your site, to: Editor-RWR@rootsweb.com DAVIS AND ALLIED FAMILIES. Pertains to the Seventh-Day Baptist DAVIS family and the allied families of BABCOCK, BURDICK, CARTWRIGHT, CLARKE, COON, CRANDALL, CRUMB, DICKINSON, ECKSTRÖM, FLETCHER, GREENE, HENRY, HOXIE, KENT, LANPHERE, MAXSON, MONEY, MOON, PETTIT, ROGERS, STILLMAN, STRAIGHT, WEX, and ZEMPLE. The Rev. William Davis, 1663-1745, emigrated from Wales to Philadelphia in 1684; he was born in the shire of Radnor in South Wales; matriculated at Oxford University on June 30, 1682 at the age of 18 to study theology. Documentation from the Bodleian Library at Oxford University Archives where William spent two years, suggests that his father was William DAVIES of Llanstephen. While studying the ministry for two years, he became interested in the doctrines of the Quaker Society. He left not finishing school, and immigrated to Philadelphia in 1684 living amongst William Penn and others of the Society. In 1685 he met and married Elizabeth BRINLEY (Brisley) in Philadelphia. http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~davisfam/Index.htm ILLINOIS. Franklin County. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~sdorris/fci.html KENTUCKY. Tombstone Central. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~foe3643/ NEW YORK. Ulster County Genealogical Society. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~ucgs PETERSEN, NIELSEN, and WIELANDS, who were Danish immigrants and settled in Akron, Ohio in the late 1800s. WIELANDS were probably German. They married into the NIELSEN family. They had a resort in Sawyerwood, near Akron, on Springfield Lake. Other surnames: HAWK, HARMON, BYERS, McNALL, ZIMMERMAN, FOREMAN, CLORE, WILCOX, SMITH, MATHEWSON, WOOD, and COLE. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~richard4137/ PRIDE/PRYDE. Includes a compilation of records for these surnames contained in the files of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission covering casualties of the two world wars. The records indicate names, rank, service number, date of death, age, approximate birth date, military unit, nationality and other information (which generally means parents, if known). http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~pryde/ 7. FROM ROOTSWEB REVIEW'S BOTTOMLESS MAILBAG [Editor's note: The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the editor or of RootsWeb.com]. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Sharpening History Skills In re: "Why Lowell?" (RWR 6:10): A wealth of information about Lowell, Massachusetts, and particularly its role in the Industrial Revolution, is available from the Lowell National Historical Park at: http://www.nps.gov/lowe/2002/loweweb/lowe_history/lowe_handbook/ prologue.htm [The above is a 2-line URL; copy and paste carefully] --David Gascon gpadavid@att.net * * * Irish Immigrants to New Hampshire I have read with interest the "Why Lowell?" articles. The workers came not only from England but also many from Ireland. But my question is why to Concord, New Hampshire, which is where my family settled after emigrating from County Mayo, Ireland. There were no mills that I know of and very little industry other than the Rumford press. What made Irish immigrants go directly to such a small city? Maybe someone knows. --Winifred Ryan winryan@comcast.net [Editor's Note. Contact the local (town and county) historical society and library and search online for same; such repositories often have valuable ethnic histories pertaining to their localities.] * * * Feedback Frenzy I have received 40 some responses to my comments entitled "Where's the Sources?" (RWR 6:10) in which I bemoaned lack of sources in GEDCOMs and low response from inquiries. Of these, 38 were specific responses to my remarks; 23 respondents agreed with what I said, and 13 of them wrote additional thoughtful and helpful remarks. Thirteen respondents wrote that they have sources but don't publish them. Of these 13, four said that they want to encourage people to correspond with them and share; two said that people use their data without giving credit; four more cited both of the above reasons; two indicated they were reluctant to give away their hard-earned data; and one said he removed his sources because someone he had cited did not want to be named. More importantly, out of the total of 38 responses, 60 percent expressed concern about the way genealogical data was being taken from the Internet and used by others. As one respondent said, "... many people have never done any real research ... [they] believe that 'you can get it all on the Internet.'" Many voiced concerns about what I might call "lack of genealogical courtesy" -- a failure to recognize and acknowledge those people who have gone before you and who have done research on which you can and do build your genealogy. I have aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents whose research (some going back 100 years) I never fail to acknowledge, for without them, I would never have had as complete (albeit still incomplete) a picture of my ancestors as I have today. I think if we all will conscientiously bear witness to those who have helped us along the way, we will greatly enhance the natural spirit of help and cooperation within our genealogical community. For those who wrote to whom I have not written personal replies, I want to thank all of you for taking time to reply and for your cogent thoughts. --Woodlief "Woody" Thomas, Jr. Merriwood@aol.com * * * Solving Source Problems Vicki Klein wrote in RWR last week regarding "Citing Sources" and if anyone has a solution to her online sources problem. I don't know if this the BEST solution, but here is something that I have adopted. If I personally am able to view and verify a documented source like a marriage register, obituary, etc., I will include the source including the actual text and some sort of relevant reference to where I located it. If I receive some personal information via e-mail or from a telephone conversation or letter, etc., then I use that info to fill out an FGR (Family Group Record). I then attribute the source of that FGR to the person from whom I received the information. I include the name of the person within the "Comments" section of the citation and I try to include the date as well. I keep their e-mail address and other contact information out of the actual source citation and include it in my address book. My sources then appear on WorldConnect as something like: Sources: 1. Title: Family Group Record Date: 2002 It is easy for me to find the originator of the information, but difficult for just anyone on the Internet. Should someone who is related e-mail me, I can then put them in contact with other cousins. But "LIVING" human sources aren't displayed on the Internet and people have to go through me personally to find out more. --Brad Donison bdonison@hotmail.com [Editor's Note: For more on source citations, see RootsWeb's Guide to Tracing Family Trees, Guide No. 12. http://rwguide.rootsweb.com/lesson12.htm including its link to the article by Mark Howells,"A Cite for Sore Eyes-- Quality Citations for Electronic Genealogy Sources" at http://www.oz.net/~markhow/writing/cite.htm ] * * * Those Aren't Earl Wells I was reading a recent article in RootsWeb Review and the person was asking if anyone had heard "hope" used in place of help. This is quite common in my area, which is rural Mississippi. It isn't as common now as it was in my parents' generation. The person asking mentioned that some of his people came from Mississippi so this could be the connection. Most branches of my family have been here since about 1840. Before that they came from mostly the Carolinas. I don't know where this colloquialism originally came from but most people in the older generations used it at one time or another. It ranks right up there with "tote" for carry and "youngun" for child. If you placed a young person of my grandchildren's generation in the same room with someone from my grandparents' generation I'm not sure they could even communicate! I happened to marry a "Yankee" from New York City and I have put them in stitches many times with the terms I use that are common here, but unheard of there. Even though I don't use the "hope" for help or "tote" for carry, I do often say "youngun" for child and "pallet" for a blanket placed on the floor for a baby to crawl or lie on. Of course, I do remind them that the black stuff that comes out of the ground and is used to extract fuel from is oil and not "earl." It is kind of fun to compare the way things are said in different parts of the country and world. --Susan Landers landbart@yahoo.com [Editor's Note: The Australians have their own version of English. Check out the Macquarie Dictionary, especially its "Book of Slang" to increase your linguistic abilities: http://www.macquariedictionary.com.au/ ] * * * You're My What? Reading all the odd relationship designations reminds me that my uncle's kids have always called my mother "Aunt Sister." Mom's the oldest girl in her family and all her brothers and sisters have always called her Sister. When they got married all their spouses called her Sister, too. Her parents were even known to call her Sister as often as her real name. However, only one family carried the name into the next genera- tion, and now a third generation. I always have to chuckle when I hear one of the cousins say Aunt Sister. --Marilyn Craft JCRAFT3@neo.rr.com 8. Humor: The Right Equipment -------------------------------------------------------- Thanks to: John Rattner johnrattner@yahoo.com An Englishman, an Irishman, and a Scotsman were standing in a field looking at a prize cow. The Englishman says, "Look at that fine English cow." "No, I think that's an Irish cow," said the Irishman. The Scotsman shook his head. "You are both wrong. Obviously it is a Scottish cow -- see it's got bagpipes underneath." 9. Submission Guidelines, Reprint Policy, RWR Archives ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The RootsWeb Review does not publish or answer genealogical queries, and the editor regrets that she is unable to provide any personal research assistance or advice. RootsWeb Review welcomes short (500 words or less) articles, humor, stories, or letters, and reserves the right to edit all submissions. All mail sent to the RootsWeb Review editor is considered to be for publication; send in plain text (no html, stationery, or attachments) to: Editor-RWR@rootsweb.com * * * Search/download all back issues of RootsWeb Review: http://e-zine.rootsweb.com/ * * * Permission to reprint articles from RootsWeb Review is granted unless specifically stated otherwise, provided: (1) the reprint is used for non-commercial, educational purposes; and (2) the following notice appears at the end of the article: Previously published in RootsWeb Review: Vol. 6, No. 12, 19 March 2003. * * * *