Genie Weezles will give a brief demonstration on how to use the FamilySearch Indexing Beta that we adopted as our chapter project for this year.
Afterwards, we will be taking a FIELD TRIP to Rumsey Map Islands, where hundreds of historical maps are on display. You can read about this fabulous collection here.
WHEN: Thursday, March 10, 2016 TIME: 6:00 p.m. SLT (same as Pacific Time) WHERE: Fire Pit at Just Genealogy SLurl
This meeting is open to all interested genealogists in Second Life. Please contact Ellington Sweeney for more information.
Happy March, Second Life genies! March is a big month, genealogically-speaking. Not only is it Women’s History Month, but it is also Irish American Heritage Month. So whichever you choose to celebrate, we hope you find what – and who – you are looking for!
Be sure to check out this month’s genealogy events in Second Life. For more information, please contact Ellington Sweeney, either in-world, or at sweeney.ellington@gmail.com.
INSPIRATION:
MARCH’S GENEALOGY RESEARCH & INFO RECOMMENDATIONS:
This week has been a big one for those doing Irish research! If you have Irish ancestry, be sure out the new Irish Catholic Parish Registers from FindMyPast. They’re free, and will always stay that way. 🙂
Findmypast is also making its entire archive of over 110 million Irish records, the largest available anywhere online, FREE from 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday March 1 to 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday March 8, 2016. So that’s ONE WEEK for you to get started for FREE!
“Irish genealogy research is famous for being difficult, if not impossible. This reputation isn’t entirely deserved, although there can be some fundamental difficulties in discovering your Irish ancestry, particularly if you don’t know where your ancestors lived.” Check out Clare Santry’s blog, as well as her companion site, Irish Genealogy Toolkit.
TWITTER FOLLOW:
@Irish_Genealogy– Follow Clare Santry for more Irish genealogy updates!
MARCH SCHEDULE OF GENEALOGY EVENTS IN SECOND LIFE:
Tuesday, March 1
6:00 pm – Tech Tuesday Genie Weezles promises a fabulous discussion about some cool organizational tools. All are welcome! At the Just Genealogy Firepit http://bit.ly/SL_JGfirepit.
Sunday, March 6 5:30 pm – DNA Study Group (NOTE NEW EVENT & NEW TIME)
Need help getting started with genetic genealogy? Join us for this new bi-monthly group hosted by Red Rider. Meets on the front porch of the Family History Centre in Adam ondi Ahman. http://bit.ly/SLFamilyHistoryCentre
Monday, March 7 6:00 pm – Meet & Greet – Get Some Second Life Help Gather at the Just Genealogy firepit to discuss the ins and outs of SecondLife – how to sit, stand, fly, talk… Anything you might need help with! At the Just Genealogy Firepit http://bit.ly/SL_JGfirepit
Thursday, March 10
6:00 pm – APG Second Life Chapter Meeting The award-winning Second Life Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) welcomes all to this monthly meeting. You won’t want to miss hearing Genie Weezles give details on how to participate in the chapter’s 2016 project: FamilySearch Indexing Beta. Bring your questions! For more info about the chapter, contact in-world Ellington Sweeney, Chapter President, or Genie Weezles, Chapter Representative. At the Just Genealogy Firepit http://bit.ly/SL_JGfirepit
Sunday, March 13 5:30 pm – Family History Chat
Join other family historians and genealogists of all skill levels for a casual discussion on the front porch of the Family History Centre in Adam ondi Ahman. Host varies, style is both Q&A and presentation. http://bit.ly/SLFamilyHistoryCentre
Tuesday, March 15 6:00 pm – Methodology Tuesday
Exploring old and new research methodologies with your fellow genealogists! The March reading is “Analyzing Wills for Useful Clues” by Elizabeth Shown Mills from OnBoard 1 (May 1995): 16. Read the article for free on the BCG website. This month’s discussion will be hosted by Carolina Belle at the Fire Pit in Just Genealogy. http://bit.ly/SL_JGfirepit
Sunday, March 20 5:30 pm – DNA Study Group (NOTE NEW EVENT & NEW TIME)
Need help getting started with genetic genealogy? Join us for this new bi-monthly group hosted by Red Rider. Meets on the front porch of the Family History Centre in Adam ondi Ahman. http://bit.ly/SLFamilyHistoryCentre
Thursday, March 24 6:00 pm – NGSQ Study Group
The Second Life NGSQ Study Group focuses on a specific article from the National Genealogical Society Quarterly monthly. Please feel free to attend even if you are a prospective NGSQ member. Hosted by Ellington Sweeney. Click here for the 2016 Reading List. At the Just Genealogy Fire Pit. http://bit.ly/SL_JGfirepit
Sunday, March 27
5:30 pm – Family History Chat
CANCELLED due to the Easter holiday.
For more information about Genealogy events in Second Life, please feel free to contact: (in-world): Genie Weezles, Clarise Beaumont, Ellington Sweeney.
The following is a guest post from Red Rider, who serves as moderator and host of our DNA Study Group.
The first meeting of our DNA Study Group at the Second Life Family History Centre was an overview of all types of DNA tests available. Autosomal (atDNA), Y DNA, and mitochondrial (mtDNA), are the 3 tests offered by the genetic testing companies. Only Family Tree DNA offers a list of genetic matches with their Y and mtDNA tests.
Here is a review of some of the material we covered:
Y DNA is only passed down to sons from their fathers. It only traces the direct male line. This is a marker test. The cost of the test depends on the number of markers tested; 12 to 111 marker tests are available. Mutations on markers change the numerical value assigned to marker testers. The marker mutations separate family lines. Y DNA tends to mutate frequently enough for it to be useful in separating family lines.
Mitochondrial DNA, or mtDNA, is passed down from mothers to sons and daughters. Fathers do not pass their mtDNA down to their children. This test is good for solving problems along the direct maternal line. The partial mtDNA test, which generally includes HVR1 and HVR2, can include cousin matches who share ancestors over 28 generations. Or around 700 years ago. The full sequence test helps eliminate matches beyond the genealogically relevant time period. Full sequence matches generally share an ancestor within the past 500 years. The reason these matches can share ancestors so far back in time, and still match us, is mtDNA mutates slowly. As with the Y DNA mutations are used to assign matches. Mitochondrial DNA mutates more slowly than Y DNA.
The autosomal test is the most popular because it provides more comprehensive results. Instead of just looking at the male or female lines this test includes all inherited DNA lines. We inherit half our autosomal DNA from each parent. Roughly a quarter of our atDNA comes from each grandparent. Recombination means that we share varying amounts of DNA from more distant ancestors. This test is offered by the 3 major testing companies, i.e., 23andMe, AncestryDNA, and Family Tree DNA. Matches are assigned based on matching segments on our autosomal chromosomes. This test is most accurate for close relatives. More distant relationships require verification using traditional genealogy research methods.
Future meetings will focus on the vocabulary used in genetic genealogy, and resolving problems encountered when using DNA to solve genealogy problems. Group member discussions will allow us to share our experiences with using DNA for genealogy. There have been heated debates on genealogy forums, and in the media, about exactly what DNA purports to tell us, and what can really been proven using DNA. We’ll discuss some of these challenging issues during our next Sunday discussions.
With genetic genealogy becoming an essential part of the genealogist’s toolkit, the Second Life genealogists group is pleased to announce the formation of a DNA Study Group.
Beginning February 21, 2016, the DNA Study Group will meet monthly on the 3rd Sunday, at 6:00 p.m., at the Family History Centre in the Second Life virtual world. Topics will range from beginning to advanced, based on the needs of group members. All interested genealogists are welcome.
For information about this group, please contact Ellington Sweeney at sweeney.ellington@gmail.com, see the Genealogists in SecondLife Facebook page, or visit the Second Life Genealogy Group website at https://slgenealogygroup.com. Click on the “Tutorials” link for help getting started with Second Life.
Greetings, Second Life genies! February isn’t just the month of love, but it is also when we celebrate Black History Month. Also known as African-American History Month, it is an annual observance in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom for the remembrance of important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. We hope you will find some of the resources below to be helpful in your African-American genealogy research.
Be sure to check out this month’s genealogy events in Second Life. For more information, please contact Ellington Sweeney, either in-world, or at sweeney.ellington@gmail.com.
INSPIRATION:
FEBRUARY’S GENEALOGY RESEARCH & INFO RECOMMENDATIONS:
To help bring thousands of records to light, The Freedmen’s Bureau Project was created as a set of partnerships between FamilySearch International and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS), and the California African American Museum.Is this the year that you finally start your own personal history? This page on the FamilySearch wiki gives many recommendations on the hows and whys of writing a personal history. Ready to start?!
For over 40 years, Kristin Cleage Williams has been tracing her family history back through the generations. She started Finding Eliza in 2010 with the simple goal to organize and publish the genealogical information she uncovered. Her engaging style makes her a storyteller; however, she reveals how she discovers family histories out of genealogical records and oral recordings. Get inspired to research your own family history on Finding Eliza, and learn Kristin’s strategies for finding information about her ancestors. You’ll also learn about specific resources Kristin uses to find insight into African American history.
TWITTER FOLLOW:
@AfriGeneas – AfriGeneas™ is the premiere online destination for African American and African Ancestored genealogical research.
FEBRUARY SCHEDULE OF GENEALOGY EVENTS IN SECOND LIFE:
Monday, February 1 6:00 pm – Meet & Greet – Second Life Help Gather at the Just Genealogy firepit to discuss the ins and outs of SecondLife – how to sit, stand, fly, talk… Anything you might need help with! Hosted by Genie Weezles at the Just Genealogy Firepit http://bit.ly/SL_JGfirepit
Tuesday, February 2
6:00 pm – Tech Tuesday CANCELLED for this month.
Sunday, February 7 6:00 pm – Family History Chat
Join other family historians and genealogists of all skill levels for a casual discussion on the front porch of the Family History Centre in Adam ondi Ahman. Host varies, style is both Q&A and presentation. http://bit.ly/SLFamilyHistoryCentre
Thursday, February 11
6:00 pm – APG Second Life Chapter Meeting The award-winning Second Life Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) welcomes all to this monthly meeting. February’s meeting will include a re-cap of some of the interesting finds at RootsTech. Contact in-world Ellington Sweeney, Chapter President, or Genie Weezles, Chapter Representative. At the Just Genealogy Firepit http://bit.ly/SL_JGfirepit
Sunday, February 14 6:00 pm – Family History Chat
Join other family historians and genealogists of all skill levels for a casual discussion on the front porch of the Family History Centre in Adam ondi Ahman. Host varies, style is both Q&A and presentation. http://bit.ly/SLFamilyHistoryCentre
Tuesday, February 16 6:00 pm – Methodology Tuesday
Exploring old and new research methodologies with your fellow genealogists. The February discussion will be hosted by Ellington Sweeney, and the topic is the “DNA and the Reasonably Exhaustive Search.” At the Fire Pit in Just Genealogy. http://bit.ly/SL_JGfirepit
Sunday, February 21 6:00 pm – NEW! DNA Special Interest Group
Watch for the official announcement of this new special interest group! Will be held on the front porch of the Family History Centre in Adam ondi Ahman. http://bit.ly/SLFamilyHistoryCentre
Thursday, February 25 6:00 pm – NGSQ Study Group
The Second Life NGSQ Study Group focuses on a specific article from the National Genealogical Society Quarterly monthly. Please feel free to attend even if you are a prospective NGSQ member. Hosted by Ellington Sweeney. Click here for the 2016 Reading List. At the Just Genealogy Fire Pit. http://bit.ly/SL_JGfirepit
Sunday, February 28
6:00 pm – Family History Chat
Join other family historians and genealogists of all skill levels for a casual discussion on the front porch of the Family History Centre in Adam ondi Ahman. Host varies, style is both Q&A and presentation. http://bit.ly/SLFamilyHistoryCentre
For more information about Genealogy events in Second Life, please feel free to contact: (in-world): Genie Weezles, Clarise Beaumont, Ellington Sweeney.
Greetings, Second Life genealogists and family history enthusiasts! Hope you enjoyed your holidays, and are looking forward to an amazing new year of genealogy breakthroughs and insights. January means a fresh start, and time to review your goals and priorities for the coming year. January is also National Hobby Month, so very appropriate for genealogists to make new plans on how to tackle those research obstacles! It’s also National Bath Safety month, and National Oatmeal month, but I’m not quite sure how to tie that in here 🙂 Anyway! Check out this month’s genealogy events in SecondLife, as well as some useful research sites and info in this newsletter. Please contact Genie Weezles either inworld, or at relativelycurious@gmail.com.
INSPIRATION:
Preserve your memories, keep them well, what you forget you can never retell. ~ Louisa May Alcott
JANUARY’S GENEALOGY RESEARCH & INFO RECOMMENDATIONS:
Is this the year that you finally start your own personal history? This page on the FamilySearch wiki gives many recommendations on the hows and whys of writing a personal history. Ready to start?!
Caroline Pointer’s blog includes all sorts of helpful information including blog prompts, and multiple ways to use your online presence to make it easier for new cousins to find you and connect.
JANUARY SCHEDULE OF GENEALOGY EVENTS IN SECOND LIFE:
Sunday, January 3 6:00 pm – Family History Chatin Second Life.
Join other family historians and genealogists of all skill levels for a casual discussion on the front porch of the Family History Centre in Adam ondi Ahman. Host varies, style is both Q&A and presentation. http://bit.ly/SLFamilyHistoryCentre
Monday, January 4
6:00 pm – Meet & Greet – Second Life Help Gather at the Just Genealogy firepit to discuss the ins and outs of SecondLife – how to sit, stand, fly, talk… Anything you might need help with! At the Just Genealogy Firepit http://bit.ly/SL_JGfirepit
Tuesday, January 5
6:00 pm – Tech Tuesday Relatively Curious’ Genie Weezles hosts a discussion at the Just Genealogy Firepit on some helpful technology tools including one that will be a big help to anyone who tends to keep LOTS of tabs open at the same time when using the Chrome browser, as well as another creative alternative to Excel spreadsheets. Intrigued? Everyone is welcome ! At the Just Genealogy Firepit http://bit.ly/SL_JGfirepit
Sunday, January 10 6:00 pm – Family History Chatin Second Life.
Join other family historians and genealogists of all skill levels for a casual discussion on the front porch of the Family History Centre in Adam ondi Ahman. Host varies, style is both Q&A and presentation. http://bit.ly/SLFamilyHistoryCentre
Thursday, January 14
6:00 pm – APG Second Life Chapter Meeting The award-winning Second Life Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists Second Life Chapter welcomes all to this monthly meeting, recognizing that only members may vote. January’s meeting will include voting on this year’s officers. Contact in-world Gtownma Deed, Chapter President or Ellington Sweeney, Vice President. At the Just Genealogy Firepit http://bit.ly/SL_JGfirepit
Sunday, January 17 6:00 pm – Family History Chat in Second Life. Join other family historians and genealogists of all skill levels for a casual discussion on the front porch of the Family History Centre in Adam ondi Ahman. Host varies, style is both Q&A and presentation. http://bit.ly/SLFamilyHistoryCentre
Tuesday, January 19 6:00 pm – Methodology Tuesday in Second Life. Exploring old and new research methodologies with your fellow genealogists gathering around the fire pit in Just Genealogy and the meeting will be hosted by Gtownma Deed. Watch for topic here and on the Genealogists in Second Life facebook page. http://bit.ly/SL_JGfirepit
Sunday, January 24 6:00 pm – Family History Chat in Second Life. Join other family historians and genealogists of all skill levels for a casual discussion on the front porch of the Family History Centre in Adam ondi Ahman. Host varies, style is both Q&A and presentation. http://bit.ly/SLFamilyHistoryCentre
Thursday, January 28 6:00 pm – NGSQ Study Group in Second Life. The Second Life NGSQ Study Group focuses on a specific article from the National Genealogical Society Quarterly monthly. Please feel free to attend even if you are a prospective NGSQ member. Hosted by Ellington Sweeney. Click here for the 2016 Reading List. At the Just Genealogy Fire Pit. http://bit.ly/SL_JGfirepit
Sunday, January 31
6:00 pm – Family History Chat in Second Life. Join other family historians and genealogists of all skill levels for a casual discussion on the front porch of the Family History Centre in Adam ondi Ahman. Host varies, style is both Q&A and presentation. http://bit.ly/SLFamilyHistoryCentre
For more information about Genealogy events in Second Life, please feel free to contact: (in-world): Genie Weezles, Clarise Beaumont, Ellington Sweeney.
December 23rd is National Roots Day, which encourages us to “look into our heritage, families, family history, and ancestry” as we gather with families and friends during this holiday season. Check out this month’s SL Genealogy Group Newsletter for a few resources to help you do this!
Please note that Tech Tuesday and the NGSQ Study Group will not meet in December, but will be back again in January. And you won’t want to miss the Second Life Chapter APG’s Holiday Party, which is always a blast! Details below in the Events section.
INSPIRATION:
December is the month when we look back at what we have accomplished in the past year, and look forward to what we would like to accomplish in the coming year. Did you reach your genealogy goals this year? Why or why not? Perhaps you need to work on a research plan for next year, or think about some specific educational opportunities? Attend a conference? Join a genealogical society or lineage society? There is so much to contemplate as we tie up our genealogical loose ends at the end of the year.
May your ancestor wishes come true in 2016! 😀
DECEMBER RECOMMENDATIONS:
WEBSITE OF THE MONTH:
StoryCorps StoryCorps is America’s oral history project. Since 2003, StoryCorps has collected more than 60,000 interviews with over 100,000 participants from all backgrounds — the largest single collection of human voices ever gathered.
What better time to collect these stories than the holidays, when we are gathered with our families to talk, reflect, and celebrate? The StoryCorps website provides the tools you need to prepare for and record your oral history interview. Afterwards, your recording can be archived at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress so that future generations can hear the stories – and the voices – of today. StoryCorps even has “an app for that!”
Here is a little Intro video for you by StoryCorps founder Dave Isay:
Be sure to check out the StoryCorps website before heading out to your holiday gatherings!
BLOG RECOMMENDATION:
Amy Johnson Crow
Genealogist Amy Johnson Crow is the inspiration behind 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks and 31 Days to Better Genealogy. She has also started a vlog (video log) called Genealogy Weekly, and you can often find her “popping up” on Periscope. Wherever you find her, Amy is offering fabulous genealogy tips and advice, so you will definitely want to add her to your Feedly, Flipboard, Bloglovin’, or whatever reader you use!
Sunday, December 6 6:00 pm – Family History Chat
Join other family historians and genealogists of all skill levels for a casual discussion on the front porch of the Family History Centre in Adam ondi Ahman. Host varies, style is both Q&A and presentation. http://bit.ly/SLFamilyHistoryCentre
Monday, December 7 6:00 pm – Meet & Greet for New SL Users
Meet at the Fire Pit at Just Genealogy for this very informal meeting focusing on how to navigate and enjoy Second Life. http://bit.ly/SL_JGfirepit
Thursday, December 10 6:00 pm – Second Life Chapter APG Holiday Party
Let’s celebrate our 2015 accomplishments with a party! Santa usually makes an appearance, so be sure to tell him which ancestors you would like to find under your tree. Wear your holiday finest (formal) attire. Our favorite DJ, Jaffee Gaffer, will be on-hand once again, spinning holiday tunes while we dance the night away (or at least until 8:00 p.m. SLT). Hosted by DeeDee and Sherlock at their Winter Wonderland. All are welcome.
Sunday, December 13 6:00 pm – Family History Chat
Join other family historians and genealogists of all skill levels for a casual discussion on the front porch of the Family History Centre in Adam ondi Ahman. Host varies, style is both Q&A and presentation. http://bit.ly/SLFamilyHistoryCentre
Tuesday, December 15 6:00 pm – Methodology Tuesday
Exploring old and new research methodologies with your fellow genealogists. The December discussion topic is the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS). The meeting will be hosted by Genie Weezles at the Fire Pit in Just Genealogy. http://bit.ly/SL_JGfirepit
Sunday, December 20 6:00 pm – Family History Chat
Join other family historians and genealogists of all skill levels for a casual discussion on the front porch of the Family History Centre in Adam ondi Ahman. Host varies, style is both Q&A and presentation. http://bit.ly/SLFamilyHistoryCentre
Sunday, December 27 6:00 pm – Family History Chat
Join other family historians and genealogists of all skill levels for a casual discussion on the front porch of the Family History Centre in Adam ondi Ahman. Host varies, style is both Q&A and presentation. http://bit.ly/SLFamilyHistoryCentre
NOTE: All times listed are SLT or “Second Life Time,” which is the same as Pacific Standard Time. Need a time zone converter?
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For more information about Genealogy events in Second Life, please feel free to contact: (in-world): Genie Weezles, Clarise Beaumont, Ellington Sweeney.
Genealogist Tina Sansone will be the speaker for Thursday night’s Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) meeting. She will talk about her amazing experience working with the TV show “Who Do You Think You Are,” the resources she used, and how the show works behind the scenes. You won’t want to miss this fascinating talk!
WHEN: Thursday, November 12, 2015 TIME: 6:00 p.m. SLT (same as Pacific Time) WHERE: Fire Pit at Just Genealogy SLurl
