Congratulations to the 2013 Student Genealogy Grant Recipient – Michael Savoca

An amazing Thank You is extended to my friend Denise Levenick (The Family Curator)… Yesterday, she announced the winner to the 2013 Suzanne Winsor Freeman Memorial Grant.  The recipient, Michael Savoca, will receive a $500 cash award and full conference registration to the Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree in Burbank, California June 7-9.

A history major at Kean University in Union, New Jersey, Michael has been actively researching his family’s roots in Italy, Croatia, Ireland, Germany, and Hungary.   His goals include learning more about DNA, archival management and becoming a Certified Genealogist.

Congratulations, Michael!!

To read the entire release:

FamilySearch Reaches Amazing Milestone

An exciting announcement from FamilySearch: 

22 April 2013

Thanks A Billion

Thank you for contributing to the billion! We did it! We reached a major milestone of one billion records indexed and arbitrated since the launch of FamilySearch indexing in September of 2006. We are grateful for the many volunteers who dedicate their time and efforts to make these records freely available for online research.

Kenneth B. (California, United States), Brittney S. (Idaho, United States), and April R. (Alberta, Canada) were the lucky ones to index and arbitrate the billionth record! They will receive a FamilySearch backpack stuffed with FamilySearch goodies. We also want to thank all the volunteers who have contributed to the billion records with a FamilySearch indexing badge. You can also download a free badge.

It took us seven years to reach the first billion. How long do you think it will take us to reach the next billion? The advances of technology and the dedication of our volunteers have increased the speed in which we can process and deliver records for publication. Join the global effort to make the next billion records available for family history research. Start indexing now!

NEW TECHNOLOGY OPTION — There’s an app for that!!

NEW TECHNOLOGY OPTION — There’s an app for that!!

First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth and the Old First Historic Trust are pleased to announce the release of the first edition of an iPhone App designed for visitors to the church’s historic Burial Grounds. Users can search for the names of persons interred using a variety of criteria and learn more about them, including the epitaph inscribed on their headstones.

UFO ancestors? Everyone’s got them…

UFO ancestors?  Everyone’s got them… those folks who just appear out of nowhere or those who just up and disappear!  So, I ask you to consider in your research plan the possibility that your relative changed their name.

Alphabet Soup… What do IGHR, NGS, GRIP, FGS, NIGR, or CAFG have to do with your genealogical education?

G = Genealogy… a common thread for all of us.  But, what do those other letters which make up those acronyms mean to you?  If you’re drawing a blank or are thinking, I should have an answer to this question, then Stay Calm and Read On.

Wednesday Wisdom: Do Your Homework!

Now, sounding like my Mom isn’t what I normally set out to do, especially in my blog.  As researchers, we both like the fact that we can do armchair research with our cups of tea on our desks.  But, I’m sure that she’d agree with me that nothing beats the excitement of doing the hands-on research at a library or archives.

However, before you race out your front door, you need to make a plan for success.  And, don’t think you’re too old for the next line.  Stop, breath and…

A Garden State Journey in Genealogy

Most folks with connections to New Jersey know that our state nickname is “The Garden State”  Today, it can be seen on our license plates and has been used in catchy advertising campaigns, but the truth of the matter is that we got our name not without a little resistance, or to put it bluntly… for no good reason at all.

While out to brunch two weeks ago, my friends Lori of Legacy Roots  and Joan of NJ Heirs & Ancestors got to talking about our Garden State nickname, and Lori shared that she had read that it dates from the Revolutionary War period and was due to the soldiers receiving their food stuff from the “gardens of New Jersey”.  Hmmm, I thought to myself… is the land of The Sopranos and Jersey Shore really that into agriculture?

And, that answer is YES!  I am proud to report that New Jersey is home to over 9,000 farms encompassing 790,000 acres of farmland.[1]  That’s almost 17% of our state, folks!  We make the production charts for blueberries, cranberries, spinach, head lettuce, bell peppers, and peaches (watch out Georgia!).[2]  Really not too shabby for a state that’s also known for the question “What exit?”

What’s all this Garden stuff have to do with genealogy, you ask?