New Jersey Bill Gives Adoptees Access to Their Medical History & Birth Records

NJ SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE APPROVES BILL TO GIVE ADOPTEES ACCESS TO BIRTH INFORMATION

Here’s a recent Press Release from the office of Sen. Joseph Vitale, Chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee:

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Chairman Joseph F. Vitale which would give adoptees in New Jersey access to their medical history and birth records was approved June 13, 2013 by the Senate Health Committee.

“Every person deserves to know who they are and where they came from, but for many adoptees sealed records leave them in the dark on their family medical, cultural and social history, making it difficult to make decisions on their own personal well being,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex. “This bill would give adopted people in New Jersey access to information that is vital to protect their health and establish a line of family history that would otherwise not exist.”

GSNJ/BCHS: Spring Genealogy Program, Sat. June 1

  The Genealogical Society of New Jersey and the Burlington County Historical Society are pleased to announce the 2013 Spring Genealogy Seminar: Weaving History and Genealogy. The seminar will take place on Saturday, June 1 at the Wilbur Watts Intermediate School in Burlington, New Jersey. Walk-Ins Welcome! Topics and speakers will be:

• “No Person Shall … Gallop Horses In the Streets” – Using Court Records to Tell the Story of Our Ancestors’ Lives presented by Judy G. Russell, CG, CGL

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.