HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY! CELEBRATING AND REMEMBERING THOSE AFRICAN AMERICANS WHO FOUGHT FOR AND DIED IN THE PURSUIT OF FREEDOM DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND OTHER AMERICAN WARS.

UPCOMING CLASSES

Beginning Genealogy - Using Records to Tell the Stories of Your Ancestors

When: Saturday, July 7, 2012

Where: Sacramento Central Public Library
828 I Street
Sacramento
(916) 264-2920

Click below for flyer

http://www.saclibrary.org/?pageId=1396

UPCOMING GENEALOGY CLASSES

UPCOMING GENEALOGY CLASSES

Latter Day Saints Family History Center

2745 Eastern Ave, Sacramento, CA

May 2 - Mocavo.com - Linda ToddHave you tried using Mocavo to search for your family history? Mocavo is a search engine that only searches genealogy specific blogs and websites. Come learn how to use this genealogy search engine and possible locate some of your missing information.

May 9 - Understanding the Basics of Cloud Computing for Genealogists - Marian Kile
Cloud computing is using the Internet for functions that we used to do on our local computer. Marian will explain more of Cloud Computing, its terms, advantages and drawbacks. She will cover a number of different types of Cloud Computing so we can decide which one might work best for us.

May 16 - Irish Research - Part 1 - Ron McDowell


May 23 - Irish Research - Part 2 - Ron McDowell

The Sacramento German Genealogical Society provides research assistance with tracing German ancestors every Thursday from 1:00pm-5:00pm in the Center.


Downtown Central Library
828 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814


April 29, Sunday, 1:30 pm to 3 pm

Genealogy - How Much Proof Is Enough?

Adult Program

May 6, Sunday, 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Genealogy - American Migration Trails: Eastern United States
Adult Program

May 20,

Genealogy - The FamilySearch.org Website

Adult Program

CIVIL WAR VIDEOS

Planning a Research Trip

Have you gotten to the point where you feel you have explored and exhausted all digitized, local records and resources? Perhaps, you just want to go pay homage to the locality of your ancestors? Well, maybe a research trip might be in order.

Speaking from personal experience, I can tell you how rewarding it can be to travel back to the location of your ancestors. In fact, I just got back from one of my many research trips to South Carolina. I was able to find many crucial records that are not available locally or online. As well, it can be spirtually rewarding to step foot on the very ground that your ancestors stepped. Also, actually seeing the town, the home and the area helps to put the story of your
ancestor(s) in prospective.


Here are some tips for planning your research trip:


1)Decide on mode(s) of transportation
2)Decide where you will stay (with relatives or hotel lodging) If you have it, utilize AAA or other discounts
3) Obtain map(s) and directions of the areas you plan to visit
4) Find out the what repositories house the records that you are looking for, i.e, courthouse, clerk of courts, archives building, local library, etc.
5) Find out the addresses and hours of operation of the places you plan to visit
6) Plan an itinerary with an agenda of where you plan to be during the time you are there
7) Make a list of the people you are researching and where each record is possibly located
8) Take folders, plastic coverings, pens, pencils, markers, writing pads, flashdrives, quarters, dimes, paper bills. Other options, scanner, laptop or tablet computers
9) Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. If visiting old cemeteries, you might consider wearing boots
10) Review location policies and guidelines in advance
11) Take a camera, videocamera, batteries and chargers
12) Be extra nice to the staff at all repositories. You may need their help once you've returned home


Here is a small clip from my recent research trip.

1940 Census Countdown -Only 2 days left

On Monday, April 2, 2012, the long awaited 1940 census will be released. For the first time, it will be available to the public to search free of charge by the National Archives.

The 1940 census will be released online on April 2, 2012.
Please bookmark this page: 1940census.archives.gov.
This is where you will be able to access the digitized census records starting on April 2. The digital images will be accessible free of charge at NARA facilities nationwide through our public access computers as well as on personal computers via the internet.

You can go here to obtain information to prepare for the census:
http://www.archives.gov/research/census/1940/

GOOD LUCK!

Episode 1: Our American Stories

Mark your calendars and set your DVRs. The latest Gates series, the 10-part “Finding Your Roots,” premieres Sunday at 8 pm on PBS, and it's easily his most ambitious says the New York Times. All I know is there is another great genealogy show that promises to inspire the masses to trace their ancestry. Check out the preview:

Watch Preview on PBS. See more from Finding Your Roots.

On Sunday evenings beginning March 25, Henry Louis Gates Jr. returns for his fourth season on PBS with Finding Your Roots. With a format that blends two notables each week and places greater emphasis on genetic discoveries, this series will peek into the past of 20 high profile individuals: Kevin Bacon, Tyra Banks, Cory Booker, Angela Buchdahl, Geoffrey Canada, Margaret Cho, Harry Connick, Jr., Robert Downey, Jr., Sanjay Gupta, Samuel L. Jackson, John Legend, John Lewis, Branford Marsalis, Yasir Qadhi, Condoleezza Rice, Michelle Rodriguez, Kyra Sedgwick, Martha Stewart, Barbara Walters and Rick Warren. And yes, in case you're wondering, Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick are cousins, so the six
-degrees phenomenon will definitely be on display.


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One celebrity, Wanda Sykes recently discovered her colonial family history. One of her ancestors, Elizabeth Banks was an indentured servant who received Thirty-nine lashes “well laid” on her bare back and an extension of her indentured servitude was Elizabeth Banks’ punishment for “fornication & Bastardy with a negroe slave.” Click link below to see full New York Times article.

http://www.bendbulletin.com/article/20120322/NEWS0107/203220330/

Watch full episode below:

Watch John Lewis and Cory Booker on PBS. See more from Finding Your Roots.