There's an app for everything now!

If you have an Apple or Android device, you have probably downloaded at leat one app by now.  A few months ago, I bought an Android tablet.  The Google Play store is my new bff (read as I'm a nerd)!  I have fallen in love with the Ancestry app.  You can update your tree, view hints and records and even search!  If you have this app, or want it, it is well worth getting and checking out all the features! 

Keep branching out!

A Texas so big all the states fit inside

Yes I live in Texas, but I wasn't born here.  That's a story for another day.  In this case I'm talking about our local library's genealogy room.  Our's is called "The Texas Room".  I bet you can see where this is going.  This room includes microfilm of census from many states (mostly Texas), books on genealogy from different states and research information.  Most libraries have a genealogy or local history collection.  If you can't find it, ask at the reference desk.  If you live in a small town, or have a small local library, don't be surprised if you have to travel to go to another local library with a genealogy collection.  It can be well worth your time!

Keep branching out!

Finding someone who is MIA

By now, if you have been working on your family tree for a while, you have someone (or several someones) whom you can't find any records.  One of my mother-in-law's sisters is this person for me, among others.  I have found her in the 1930 and 1940 US census.  Her first name changed from Etta to Etter on the census.  She, along with all her brothers and sisters, were born in Texas.  But I cannot find a birth record for her (the other kids, yes).  I haven't given up yet, the info is out there.  I just need to find it!

Keep branching out!

A funny thing happened on the way to the tree!

So one of the most important tips when doing family tree research is to verify that you have the right ancestor.  I was at the library today to print my paternal great-grandfather's WWI draft card.  After I had printed it AND saved it to my hard drive, I looked at the spot where it said occupation.  It said "Stone Cutter".  Well, my great-grrandfather was a "Pocket Book Maker".  So, I felt dumb.  Then I realized what I had done.  His name in the US was John, but in Czechoslovakia I had searched the wrong first name. 

Keep branching out!

Where did that person go????

Most people are not overly organized.  Unless you have OCD, you have probably lost some papers somewhere along the line.  Most times for me it's something important.  When it comes to genealogy organization is super important.  My time is valuable, so doing the same research 2 or 3 times is silly.  Looking over my census extracts, I found several that I did more than once.  In a perfect world that would never have happened.  I'll now confess I am NOT an organized person.  But when it comes to genealogy research I really need to get better.  That is super inportant.  Having important family tree information but not being able to find it shouldn't happen.  But it does.  One of the first things you should do as you start genealogy research is find the organiztion method that works best for you.  After about 4 years of researching I'm still working on the best system for me.  One little hint though, the best method is one you will actually use.

Keep branching out!

Lost grave? Let's find it!

One of the best websites for looking at gravestones is Findagrave.com.  Once you register for free, you can add photos and memorial pages for loved ones.  If you live far away from where they are buried, you can request someone to go take a photo for you and it will be posted to the site.  You can add flowers to the pages for family, friends and others.  There is also a whole section of famous graves where you can leave flowers and notes for actors, muscians, and politicans. 

Keep branching out!

One week until 1940!

Alright, I guess I can admit it now.  I'm getting kind of excited.  The 1940 census will be released in about a week!  A lot of other people are excited about it too.  People who don't look into their family tree, don't understand it.  Ancestry has a daily countdown.  Genealogists get heart palpitations the closer it gets.  And why not?  For most researchers, the 1940 census will have the first listing of family members they have met during their lives.  All census records, provide valuable information.  The United States Federal census is taken every 10 years by federal law.  The first one was held in 1790.  From 1790 to 1840 they only listed the head of the household by name and counted the other members.  In 1850, they started listing everyone by name.  The only census that cannot be thoroughly researched in 1890, which was mostly destroyed in a warehouse fire.  The census results are held secret for 72 years before being released.  Which I guess is what makes it so exciting to wait for.  Who are you hoping to find? 

Keep branching out!