Ancestry.com has recently expanded its list of free databases. These always-free databases are available without a subscription or free trial. A few days ago, there were slightly over 400 free databases listed in the Ancestry card catalog, and today there are now almost 3000 which include many international titles. The additional databases that Ancestry has opened may only be available for a very short time.
UPDATE 11/1: The additional free databases have already been closed, but the rest of this article still applies for finding the 400 or so always-free databases.
To find the Ancestry free databases, go to Ancestry’s card catalog (which can be found as a drop-down choice on the "Search" bar), and enter the word free into the keyword box located in the left hand column.
As you scroll down the page, you can filter the free databases by collection, by date, by location, and by language in the left column. I found that once I filtered by location, I got a list of all free and fee-based Ancestry databases, and had to enter the keyword free again.
On the green bar, there is also a sort available. By sorting the list of free ancestry databases by date added or date updated, you can make sure are haven't missed any of the newly added or newly opened free databases when you next return to the card catalog.
Sometimes only the index is free and not the image, but info from the image has been transcribed and is available to view for free. Sometimes, both the image and index are available for free.
You will be asked to register at Ancestry.com to view the free databases, but the account is free. Here is a list of some of the more popular free Ancestry databases.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
SALT LAKE CHRISTMAS TOUR
The following press release was sent to me by Leland Meitzler. I've never attended this particular tour, but I've talked to someone who has, and not only is it a great way to research, but a good time was had by all. I have been in Salt Lake City in December and it is beautiful.
THOMAS MACENTEE JOINS 2010 SALT LAKE CHRISTMAS TOUR
Featured Speaker To Offer Technology Education for Genealogists
October 13, 2010 – Bountiful, Utah: The 2010 Salt Lake Christmas Tour – an annual genealogy event in its 26th year and celebrating its 25th anniversary – is pleased to announce that noted genealogist and technology educator Thomas MacEntee will be joining in the holiday fun as its featured speaker. The Tour takes place beginning Sunday, December 5, 2010 and runs through Saturday, December 11, 2010 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Over a five-day period, MacEntee will offer eight different presentations covering various aspects of genealogy and how technology and social media can be used to expand the genealogy experience. Topics include “Building a Research Toolbox,” “Facebook for Genealogists,” “Build a Genealogy Blog,” and “Twitter: It Isn’t Just ‘What I Had For Breakfast’ Anymore.”
The Salt Lake Christmas Tour ( www.SaltLakeChristmasTour.com ) is an annual event attracting genealogists and family historians and is renowned for the genealogy research success of its attendees, many of whom come back year after year. The Tour provides the highest ratio of professional researchers to attendees of any genealogy research tour utilizing the Family History Library located in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Throughout 2010, Thomas MacEntee has been covering the United States and Canada presenting technology education to genealogists and family historians in an easy-to-learn format. All presentations demonstrate applications such as Facebook and Twitter in real time and include cheat sheets and other handy reference materials.
Leland Meitzler, of Family Roots Publishing Company and owner/organizer of the Salt Lake Christmas Tour, says “we think that this year’s Tour not only offers an excellent research opportunity at the Family History Library but also provides a way to increase your technology knowledge especially as it pertains to genealogy. Thomas has a way of making technology approachable no matter what your computer skills.”
Register before October 31, 2010 to take advantage of special savings and to reserve your space on the Salt Lake Christmas Tour. Not only will you be amazed at the progress you can make in your genealogy research, but you’ll do so in good company and be able to witness the sights and sounds of Christmas in Salt Lake City.
About Thomas MacEntee
As a genealogist specializing in the use of technology and social media to improve genealogical research and to interact with others in the family history community, Thomas MacEntee relies upon his 25 years of experience in the information technology field. And as the creator of GeneaBloggers.com, he has organized and engaged a community of over 1,300 bloggers to document their own journeys in the search for ancestors.
Thomas shares his knowledge of technology and experience as a genealogist with others through various forms of social media and speaking engagements. Through his business High-Definition Genealogy, he provides consulting services in the genealogy industry covering such areas as market research, education, technology and more.
Thomas MacEntee is available nationwide for presentations and classes focusing on social media and technology as a way to assist genealogists and genealogical societies.
About the Salt Lake Christmas Tour
The Salt Lake Christmas Tour specializes in professionally assisted genealogy research at the world-famous Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Now in its 26th year and celebrating its 25th anniversary, the tour is renowned for the high success-rate of its attendees, due in part to the outstanding professional to attendee ratio. Hosted by Leland K. Meitzler, Patty Meitzler, Donna Potter Phillips, and Bill Balter, the 2010 tour promises to be one of the best ever! For more information and registration, see: www.SaltLakeChristmasTour.com.
Contact: Leland K. Meitzler
Salt Lake Christmas Tour
PO Box 830
Bountiful, Utah 84011
+1 (801) 992-3705
THOMAS MACENTEE JOINS 2010 SALT LAKE CHRISTMAS TOUR
Featured Speaker To Offer Technology Education for Genealogists
October 13, 2010 – Bountiful, Utah: The 2010 Salt Lake Christmas Tour – an annual genealogy event in its 26th year and celebrating its 25th anniversary – is pleased to announce that noted genealogist and technology educator Thomas MacEntee will be joining in the holiday fun as its featured speaker. The Tour takes place beginning Sunday, December 5, 2010 and runs through Saturday, December 11, 2010 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Over a five-day period, MacEntee will offer eight different presentations covering various aspects of genealogy and how technology and social media can be used to expand the genealogy experience. Topics include “Building a Research Toolbox,” “Facebook for Genealogists,” “Build a Genealogy Blog,” and “Twitter: It Isn’t Just ‘What I Had For Breakfast’ Anymore.”
The Salt Lake Christmas Tour ( www.SaltLakeChristmasTour.com ) is an annual event attracting genealogists and family historians and is renowned for the genealogy research success of its attendees, many of whom come back year after year. The Tour provides the highest ratio of professional researchers to attendees of any genealogy research tour utilizing the Family History Library located in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Throughout 2010, Thomas MacEntee has been covering the United States and Canada presenting technology education to genealogists and family historians in an easy-to-learn format. All presentations demonstrate applications such as Facebook and Twitter in real time and include cheat sheets and other handy reference materials.
Leland Meitzler, of Family Roots Publishing Company and owner/organizer of the Salt Lake Christmas Tour, says “we think that this year’s Tour not only offers an excellent research opportunity at the Family History Library but also provides a way to increase your technology knowledge especially as it pertains to genealogy. Thomas has a way of making technology approachable no matter what your computer skills.”
Register before October 31, 2010 to take advantage of special savings and to reserve your space on the Salt Lake Christmas Tour. Not only will you be amazed at the progress you can make in your genealogy research, but you’ll do so in good company and be able to witness the sights and sounds of Christmas in Salt Lake City.
About Thomas MacEntee
As a genealogist specializing in the use of technology and social media to improve genealogical research and to interact with others in the family history community, Thomas MacEntee relies upon his 25 years of experience in the information technology field. And as the creator of GeneaBloggers.com, he has organized and engaged a community of over 1,300 bloggers to document their own journeys in the search for ancestors.
Thomas shares his knowledge of technology and experience as a genealogist with others through various forms of social media and speaking engagements. Through his business High-Definition Genealogy, he provides consulting services in the genealogy industry covering such areas as market research, education, technology and more.
Thomas MacEntee is available nationwide for presentations and classes focusing on social media and technology as a way to assist genealogists and genealogical societies.
About the Salt Lake Christmas Tour
The Salt Lake Christmas Tour specializes in professionally assisted genealogy research at the world-famous Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Now in its 26th year and celebrating its 25th anniversary, the tour is renowned for the high success-rate of its attendees, due in part to the outstanding professional to attendee ratio. Hosted by Leland K. Meitzler, Patty Meitzler, Donna Potter Phillips, and Bill Balter, the 2010 tour promises to be one of the best ever! For more information and registration, see: www.SaltLakeChristmasTour.com.
Contact: Leland K. Meitzler
Salt Lake Christmas Tour
PO Box 830
Bountiful, Utah 84011
+1 (801) 992-3705
Monday, October 11, 2010
Pennsylvania Genealogy Links
Here are some of my favorite state-wide free PA genealogy links.
Land and Maps
Military
You can learn a lot about an ancestor from his military pension records. Here is how to
Order pension records from NARA.
General
Search for obits, birth announcements, marriage announcements and other newsworthy events.
Land and Maps
- Land Records at the Pennsylvania State Archives
Scanned land records which are viewable online from the Pennsylvania State Archives. - Ancestor Tracks
Scroll down to the map of PA and select a county to see the free Atlases and Land warrants. - American Memory Panoramic Maps 1847-1929
Pennsylvania in the Geography and Map Division of the Library of Congress.
Military
You can learn a lot about an ancestor from his military pension records. Here is how to
Order pension records from NARA.
- PA Civil War
- PA Spanish American War
- Pennsylvania State Digital Archives
- PA National Guard Veterans' Card File, 1867-1921
- Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866 These 3" x 5" cards were initially prepared to serve as an index to Samuel Penniman Bates' "History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865 .
- Mexican Border Campaign Veterans' Card File
- Spanish American War Veterans' Card File of United States Volunteers
- Revolutionary War Military Abstract Card File
- Militia Officers Index Cards, 1775-1800 Indexes
General
- Pennsylvania Archives
The Pennsylvania Archives were originally published as a 10 series of historical records in 135 volumes, covering the initial colonial settlement through the Civil War. The series contains military, tax, marriage, and land records, as well as documents from American history covering the Revolutionary War and the Whiskey Rebellion. Pennsylvania researchers will be glad to have these archives online and searchable. The Archives include:
- Early Pennsylvania settlements, from 1664 to 1780.
- The Revolutionary War (1775–1789).
- The Whiskey Rebellion (1794).
- The War with Mexico, 1846-1847
- More Pennsylvania history through 1880.
- US Pennsylvania GenWeb Archives
- Pennsylvania Disasters
Ever think your ancestors must have disappeared into thin air? You might find them here. I did - a whole family who was killed in a railroad accident.
- Philadelphia Death Certificates, 1803-1915
FamilySearch - Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints. - Pennsylvania Marriages 1885-1889
Pennsylvania State Archives - Philadelphia Marriage Index, 1885-1951 FamilySearch - Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints.
Search for obits, birth announcements, marriage announcements and other newsworthy events.
- State Library of Pennsylvania
Includes the Pennsylvania Necrology Scrapbook of obituaries clipped from Pennsylvania newspapers between 1891 and 1904. - PA historical newspapers
- Google News Archive
Search for obits in the PA newspapers in the Google News Archive.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Finding Living People
Genealogists search for their ancestors - people long dead; but sometimes they have a need to find a living person to help with genealogy research.
Losing touch with a cousin or the need to find a distant relative to help with research are just a few of the reasons to search for a living person.
There are a number of people finder search engines that are very good at what they do. Some of them search the web; some search public records; some of them can search the deep web databases that don't normally show up on a Google search.
Sometimes they point to pay-for-databases, but most of the information is free. There is generally enough free info that it usually isn't necessary to pay for a living person search.
Here are my favorite US-based people search engines:
http://pipl.com/
Searches not only the web, but also the deep web or invisible web. Since most personal profiles, public records and other people-related documents are stored in databases and not on static web pages, this search engine finds the higher-quality information about people that is simply "invisible" to a regular search engine.
http://www.zabasearch.com/
Free people search engine that gives address and telephone number for free. ZabaSearch also supplies the birthdate which can help narrow down the correct person.
WhitePages.com
White pages results show age and related people to help narrow down the right person.
http://www.zoominfo.com/search
Find people through the company they work for.
http://www.searchforancestors.com/personfinder/
Step by step ideas for finding people - long lost mother, long lost father and other relatives.
US Search
When the free people search engines can't help, you can always try one of the pay people finders. They say "Guaranteed - no results, no charge".
When I saw how much information was available to other people when I searched for my own name, I was tempted to opt out of these search engines. It is public information and posted for all to see. But then I realized if a long-lost or distant relative was searching for me, I didn't want to close the door by opting out. Opting in or opting out of these people finder search engines is a hard decision to make but everyone must choose for themselves how much info about themselves they are willing to have available on the internet to help people find them.
Losing touch with a cousin or the need to find a distant relative to help with research are just a few of the reasons to search for a living person.
There are a number of people finder search engines that are very good at what they do. Some of them search the web; some search public records; some of them can search the deep web databases that don't normally show up on a Google search.
Sometimes they point to pay-for-databases, but most of the information is free. There is generally enough free info that it usually isn't necessary to pay for a living person search.
Here are my favorite US-based people search engines:
http://pipl.com/
Searches not only the web, but also the deep web or invisible web. Since most personal profiles, public records and other people-related documents are stored in databases and not on static web pages, this search engine finds the higher-quality information about people that is simply "invisible" to a regular search engine.
http://www.zabasearch.com/
Free people search engine that gives address and telephone number for free. ZabaSearch also supplies the birthdate which can help narrow down the correct person.
WhitePages.com
White pages results show age and related people to help narrow down the right person.
http://www.zoominfo.com/search
Find people through the company they work for.
http://www.searchforancestors.com/personfinder/
Step by step ideas for finding people - long lost mother, long lost father and other relatives.
US Search
When the free people search engines can't help, you can always try one of the pay people finders. They say "Guaranteed - no results, no charge".
When I saw how much information was available to other people when I searched for my own name, I was tempted to opt out of these search engines. It is public information and posted for all to see. But then I realized if a long-lost or distant relative was searching for me, I didn't want to close the door by opting out. Opting in or opting out of these people finder search engines is a hard decision to make but everyone must choose for themselves how much info about themselves they are willing to have available on the internet to help people find them.
Monday, October 04, 2010
Family Tree Maker for the Mac!
Hurray! Mac users have been asking for Family Tree Maker for Mac and now it is almost here. Millions of people have used FTM to discover, preserve and share their family stories. Now Mac users can too.
Ancestry says the FTM for the Mac was constructed from the bottom up to take full advantage of the Mac platform in terms of technology and user experience.
Family Tree Maker for Mac, which is based on Family Tree Maker 2010, makes organizing, researching and sharing your family history easier than ever, whether you're just getting started or already an expert.
What can you do with Family Tree Maker for Mac?
• Build your family tree. Start your family tree from scratch, download a tree from Ancestry.com or import a family tree file from a family member. Then use the powerful sourcing tools in Family Tree Maker for Mac to document and rate each fact in your tree.
• Enhance your family history. Illustrate your family story with photos, historical records and audio and video files. The easy-to-use tools in Family Tree Maker for Mac let you scan images right into your tree and even create slideshows. And don't miss the interactive maps that can give you a bird's-eye view of your ancestors' homelands.
• Share your discoveries. Create a variety of colorful family tree charts, such as pedigree, descendant, bowtie and fan charts, among others. Play with custom templates. Add personal touches like family pictures and backgrounds. And create reports that provide a snapshot of your family tree and help you plan what to research next. You can also combine charts, reports, timelines, photos and stories in a custom book that your family will treasure.
• Search the billions of historical records on Ancestry.com from within the Family Tree Maker for Mac software. Take advantage of Ancestry Hints linking you to historical records that might contain more information about people in your tree and simply click to merge records that are a match into your tree. You can also upload your tree to Ancestry.com and connect with millions of other family historians across the world or import a tree you've created on Ancestry.com to Family Tree Maker for Mac.
Although I don't use a Mac, I'm looking forward to connecting and sharing files with my many relatives who do use a Mac.
Now Available - Family Tree Maker for Mac You can enter the coupon G5JXTRY at checkout in the box marked Redeem Coupons for a 20% discount.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Family Tree Maker 2011 List of Improvements
Family Tree Maker 2011
I just received my copy of FTM 2011 and there are a lot of changes and improvements to the program. I’m not sure I have found them all yet.
Here is a review of the changes and improvements I found in the new FTM 2011:
Smart Stories
The new Smart Stories is a narrative tool that helps write family stories. Choose from the facts, sources, and notes you’ve already entered in your tree and then drag-and-drop them into your report. The Smart Stories put these Facts into narrative form. The Smart Stories are then completely editable. Smart story text is linked dynamically to your FTM2011 database file, so if a fact changes, the information in your story will be updated automatically. It’s an easy way to get started writing a story for any person in your family. The Smart Story narrative report is found under Publish, Other.
Charts
Fan Charts
There are five different shapes when creating a fan chart: full circle, semi-circle, quarter-circle, etc. These can be found under Publish, Charts.
Bow Tie Chart
Bow Tie Charts show both maternal and paternal ancestors of one person in one chart. Maternal ancestors are on left and paternal on the right. Siblings can now be included in the Bow Tie Chart. Found under Publish, Charts.
Last Generation Shown Vertically
In descendant and hourglass charts, the last generation in the chart can be displayed vertically.
Pedigree Chart
The book layout for the pedigree chart makes better use of space.
Photos and Embellishments
You can add images to a chart and drag and drop them wherever you like. In addition, Family Tree Maker comes with a set of embellishments, borders, and backgrounds that you can use to decorate charts and reports.
Fonts in Charts
Font size, type, and color can be changed based on fact types. This makes the reports more readable, and makes the important things stand out.
Reports
TimeLine Report
In the new timeline report, you can view the events that occurred during your ancestors’ lives. Choose one person – then choose family events, historical events, or even private facts to add to his timeline. You can edit, delete or add your own historical events. The historical events included with FTM 2011 are world historical events but the program tries to choose relevant historical events. I think it will make sense toalso add my own historical facts that I know actually would have affected each ancestor. Found under Publish, Person Reports.
Surname Report
The new Surname Report lists the surnames in your tree, including the total number of individuals with that surname, the number of males and females with that surname, etc. Found under Publish, Person Reports.
New Descendant Reports
Family Tree Maker gives you four descendant report numbering systems: Register, NGSQ, Henry, and d'Aboville. The register and simple register reports are now simplified into one descendant report that included all of the options from both. Found under Publish, Genealogy Reports.
Custom Report
The custom report now has user-selected primary and secondary sorts. In addition, new options allow you to include age at death, number of children, age at first marriage, and more. Found under Publish, Person Reports.
Kinship Report
You can now sort the Kinship Report by relationship (for example, first cousins can be grouped together). This looks to me to be much more like the well-regarded Kinship report from FTM 16
.
Save Report Settings
You can save the current report settings and use them as the preferred settings for that report.
Bibliography
You can create a simple bibliography of source titles or an annotated bibliography that includes summary information, such as repository and reference notes.
Report Headers and Footers
You can define the headers and footers for a report.
Photo Albums
You can now create an album for a person, relationship, or both. Very nice.
Calendar
You now have the option to display death dates in the calendar.
Ancestry Integration
Expanded Web Dashboard
The expanded Web Dashboard now includes Member Connect activity, links to message boards, and notification of new Ancestry messages. I immediately found someone who saved the census of my great-grandparents to their tree.
Enhanced Performance
Uploading and downloading speeds have been improved. In addition, Family Tree Maker says they have increased ability to upload large files to Ancestry.com. I don't have a large file so this is something I cannot check out.
Internet Speed
You can choose the type of Internet connection you're using. Then Family Tree Maker uses this information to tailor how it downloads information from the Web.
Media Management
Locate Missing Files
If you've moved your media items and Family Tree Maker has marked them as "missing," the Find Missing Media tool can locate them all at once. Very handy after moving to a new computer. Go to the Media workspace, then click on Media, Find Missing Media.
Categories
You can now assign categories to multiple items at one time. This was a helpful addition. I had just categorized my media one by one. Phew.
Media Metadata Stored in Family Tree Maker
If your images contain metadata, the information will be stored. If the metadata contains a caption, date, or description, this information will be automatically entered for you.
Data Entry
Automatic Reference Numbers
Family Tree Maker can assign reference numbers automatically to individuals, relationships, or both. If you upgrade from an older version of Family Tree Maker with reference numbers, your numbers will remain the same in Family Tree Maker 2011.
Enhanced Foreign Characters Usage
Additional foreign language symbols and characters have been added.
Duplicate Person Alert
When you enter new individuals, Family Tree Maker analyzes the information and alerts you if it believes you may already have the individual in your tree. Haven't run into this problem but it sounds like it can keep a database from getting messed up.
Description Fastfields
You can now use the Fastfields feature for Description fields. Welcome back, fastfields.
General
Updated Interface
This is the first thing you will notice when you open FTM 2011. There is a new Ancestry color theme.
Enhanced Index of Individuals
The Index of Individuals on the Family tab will now sort people based on name and then birth date.
Historical Timelines
Family Tree Maker comes with a set of default historical events that are used in timelines. Now you can edit, delete, and add to these historical events. In addition, Family Tree Maker looks at facts entered for an individual and displays the most location-appropriate historical events. You can manage historical facts in the edit tab.
First-Time User Assistance
The first time you open Family Tree Maker, it will automatically search for Family Tree Maker (.ftw) files on your computer (Version 16 and earlier).
Place Enhancements
If many locations in your tree are from the same country, you can choose this as your "home" country. That way, Family Tree Maker will not display this country in fields, and charts and reports. I’m happy to see this improvement. It’s just a little thing but seeing USA over and over in the reports looked redundant.
Companion Guide
If you have any questions about how to do something in FTM 2011, you will probably find the answer in the 349 page Companion Guide. This pdf Companion Guide which opens on your computer is searchable and can be accessed from Help, Companion Guide.
I have a new laptop that is running 64 bit Windows 7 and the program installed easily. Be sure to backup your FTM 2010 file since the FTM 2011 file cannot be read by FTM 2010. FTM 2011 install in a new folder and does not install over FTM 2010. Ancestry.com sent me this copy of FTM 2011, but FTM has been my program of choice since the mid-90’s. I’ve tried most of the other programs but always come back to FTM. I love the integration with Ancestry.com which makes my searching for info on my ancestors very easy. I also like the flexibility of the user interface.
When you register FTM 2011, be sure to enter “login to your account” and not “create a new account” if you are already a member of Ancestry.com. I accidently choose the wrong choice, and I could not register FTM. I got a message that said “unknown error” A call to tech support at 1-800-ancestry set me straight. Thanks!
You can still enter the coupon G5JXTRY at checkout in the box marked Redeem Coupons for a 20% discount.
Friday, August 06, 2010
Family Tree Maker 2011 Available for Pre-Sale
FTM 2011 is now available for pre-sale with free shipping. You can use this coupon code for a 20% reduction in price. Enter the coupon G5JXTRY at checkout in the box marked Redeem Coupons.
Family Tree Maker 2011
These are the enhancements listed by Ancestry:
And don't forget the features you've come to rely on:
Family Tree Maker 2011
These are the enhancements listed by Ancestry:
- Smart Stories™— Just drag and drop facts from your tree to the new Smart Stories page. Each time you edit your tree, stories update automatically.
- New and improved charts—Enhance your charts with new backgrounds, borders, and embellishments. Create four new designs, including a 360 degree fan chart.
- Refined reports—Save and reuse report settings and use 5 new report styles.
- Media management tools—Locate missing media items with the click of the mouse.
- More Ancestry integration—Find out which Ancestry members are searching for your ancestors in the expanded Web Dashboard.
- Better performance—Upload and download trees from the Internet with increased speed.
- Numbering—Automatically number every person in your tree for quick reference.
- Timelines—View more events that occurred during your ancestors’ lives. Even edit, delete or add your own historical events..
- Easy-to-use tools for merging duplicate individuals, calculating dates, creating to-do lists, and more.
And don't forget the features you've come to rely on:
- Dynamic user interface that lets you quickly switch between important features.
- The ability to import data from other genealogy programs, including Personal Ancestral File, The Master Genealogist, and Legacy Family Tree.
- Powerful sourcing tools that let you document AND rate each of your citations.
- Interactive maps and lists that give you a bird's-eye view of where members of your family come from.
- Photo AND file management features so you can easily incorporate all types of media files into your charts and reports.
- Timelines that highlight personal, family, and world events.
- Easy-to-use tools for merging duplicate individuals, calculating dates, creating to-do lists, and more.
- Search the extensive record collections at Ancestry.com without ever leaving your family tree! And, when you find new records, you can quickly merge them into your tree.
- Take advantage of Ancestry Hints-Family Tree Maker automatically suggests records that may match people in your tree.
- Import your Ancestry.com family tree, along with attached photos.
- Upload your tree to Ancestry.com and connect with millions of other family historians across the world.
Sunday, August 01, 2010
Google's Dictionary Changes Again
Google's built-in dictionary has undergone a few transformations over the years and has just undergone another major change. Previously, Google's dictionary was found on the blue bar on the right hand side of the Google results page where Google would link search words to definitions supplied by Answers.com, Dictionary.com and eventually to its own dictionary.
But recently, after the latest Google redesign of the results page, this dictionary link to search words has been removed completely along with the blue bar on the search results page where the link resided.
A dictionary is still available but now it just is a little harder to find.
There are actually two ways to access a dictionary from Google and they give different results.
I find many words in my genealogy research that are not in common usage today and the Google defne operator is all I need. Some examples:
When the define: operator does not give enough information, the thorough Google Dictionary is now available. I've actually found no links to the Google Dictionary from the Google website, so it is best to bookmark it.
But recently, after the latest Google redesign of the results page, this dictionary link to search words has been removed completely along with the blue bar on the search results page where the link resided.
A dictionary is still available but now it just is a little harder to find.
There are actually two ways to access a dictionary from Google and they give different results.
- Google Dictionary
The more thorough dictionary which is available in multiple languages. Google's Dictionary gives: - Definitons
- Verbal Pronunciation
- Synonyms
- Related Phrases
- Usage Examples
- Definitions found on various websites
- A Dropdown box for other languages
- Define:genealogy Using the Google searchbox, type the operator define: followed by the word you want to look up in the dictionary (with no spaces between define: and the word ). Google will give:
- Related Phrases
- Web Definitions
I find many words in my genealogy research that are not in common usage today and the Google defne operator is all I need. Some examples:
- Define:rod (a measurement I found in an old will which described the size of a plot of land ) The rod is a unit of length equal to 5.5 yards, 5.0292 metres, 16.5 feet, or of a statute mile. A rod is the same length as a perch and a pole
- Define:teamster (an occupation of an ancestor in the 1870 census)
- Define:apoplexy (cause of death found in an 1890 obituary)
Stroke: a sudden loss of consciousness resulting when the rupture or occlusion of a blood vessel leads to oxygen lack in the brain
The driver of a team of horses doing hauling
When the define: operator does not give enough information, the thorough Google Dictionary is now available. I've actually found no links to the Google Dictionary from the Google website, so it is best to bookmark it.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Geocities? Reocities!
Back when the internet was new, one of the places genealogists started putting their family trees was Geocities. During these last 15 years, a whole lot of genealogy info was stored on Geocities. Family trees, Civil War regiments, burial locations, obits, you name it. When Yahoo closed Geocities last year, a lot of info was lost forever for internet genealogy researchers. While many active webmasters moved their sites, all too many did not.
The Internet Archive has archived Geocities webpages from various dates, but I've found the Internet Archive didn't always save all the interior pages of a site.
However I have just discovered Reocities. Reocities has archived much of Geocities and has an amazingly large amount of the interior pages archived also.
To find a Geocities website you have bookmarked, just change the "G" in Geocities to an "R". The rest of the URL remains the same.
Examples:
Change
http://www.geocities.com/g96thpvi/ to
http://www.reocities.com/g96thpvi/
Change
http://www.geocities.com/g96thpvi/lettersdiaries.html to
http://www.reocities.com/g96thpvi/lettersdiaries.html
Change
http://geocities.com/Heartland/5251/obitscly.html to
http://reocities.com/Heartland/5251/obitscly.html
To search the reocities archives, do a site search in Google.
Examples:
site:reocities.com civil war burials pennsylvania
site:reocities.com schuylkill county
site:reocities.com mahady genealogy
There is a lot of historical treasures tucked in these reocities sites.
Webmasters: if you link to an old geocities site, simply change the "G" in geocities to "R" to continue linking. You can also check the Internet Archive and see if either site has archived the interior pages. I don't know if reocities has archived all old geocities sites, but it had the ones I checked.
Reocities is historical information only. There is no way that a webmaster can update his old site. While some of it may become outdated, much of it is still valuable. There are old letters, obituaries, regimental histories, and so much more.
The Making of Reocities
The Internet Archive has archived Geocities webpages from various dates, but I've found the Internet Archive didn't always save all the interior pages of a site.
However I have just discovered Reocities. Reocities has archived much of Geocities and has an amazingly large amount of the interior pages archived also.
To find a Geocities website you have bookmarked, just change the "G" in Geocities to an "R". The rest of the URL remains the same.
Examples:
Change
http://www.geocities.com/g96thpvi/ to
http://www.reocities.com/g96thpvi/
Change
http://www.geocities.com/g96thpvi/lettersdiaries.html to
http://www.reocities.com/g96thpvi/lettersdiaries.html
Change
http://geocities.com/Heartland/5251/obitscly.html to
http://reocities.com/Heartland/5251/obitscly.html
To search the reocities archives, do a site search in Google.
Examples:
site:reocities.com civil war burials pennsylvania
site:reocities.com schuylkill county
site:reocities.com mahady genealogy
There is a lot of historical treasures tucked in these reocities sites.
Webmasters: if you link to an old geocities site, simply change the "G" in geocities to "R" to continue linking. You can also check the Internet Archive and see if either site has archived the interior pages. I don't know if reocities has archived all old geocities sites, but it had the ones I checked.
Reocities is historical information only. There is no way that a webmaster can update his old site. While some of it may become outdated, much of it is still valuable. There are old letters, obituaries, regimental histories, and so much more.
The Making of Reocities
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Google's Similar Sites
There are a lot of genealogy sites on the web and you probably have your favorites. How can you find additional sites like those favorites? Last week, Google launched a search feature that helps you easily find new websites that are similar to the ones with which you’re already familiar.
Google has offered a "Similar" feature on results for a while now as a way to discover new, useful sites, but it was easy to overlook. Now they are showing these alternative sites more prominently. For queries where similar sites are likely to be helpful, Google has started to display a list of "Pages similar" at the bottom of the results page. For example, if you search for Rootsweb, this is the list of sites similar:
Pages similar to http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/:
Google has offered a "Similar" feature on results for a while now as a way to discover new, useful sites, but it was easy to overlook. Now they are showing these alternative sites more prominently. For queries where similar sites are likely to be helpful, Google has started to display a list of "Pages similar" at the bottom of the results page. For example, if you search for Rootsweb, this is the list of sites similar:
Pages similar to http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/:
- FamilySearch.org - Search for family ancestors. Billions of free family ... - familysearch.org
- USGenWeb Project - Consisting of a group of volunteers working ... - usgenweb.org
- Genealogy Today - genealogy and family tree history, ancestry ... - genealogytoday.com
- genealogy, ancestry, family history - Discover Your Ancestry, ... - kindredkonnections.com
And right below that is Additional Searches Related to Rootsweb.
While a broad search like Rootsweb might give very obvious similar sites, try checking out Similar Sites when searching for surnames and localities related to your family tree and see if this the newest Google search feature is useful to you.
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