The Genealogy Search

The conference starts in the morning and I can't wait.  I drove in from Tucson to Salt Lake in about twelve hours on Sunday.  I have spent time at the library both on Monday and today.  I found a great great grandparents will and probate records on microfilm, spent about three hours reading parish records in German with no luck, and located some land and genealogy information that I copied and have not yet sat down and reviewed.  I also took the time to enjoy the tulips in the square, took a tour on the Beehive house, wandered down Main Street, and really enjoyed the city - until the winds started.  Luckily I found a Rite-Aid on Main Street and bought allergy and decongestant medication.  The dust blowing around forced me to take out my contacts and switch to glasses.  Here's hoping the weather improves in the morning.

These were found among Grandma's estate papers - Grandpa made good money back then! 

I have spent a lot of time untwisting the Richard Poundstone branch of the tree into the actual two Richard Poundstones that existed in Illinois.  I cannot begin to tell you how many Ancestry trees, family search trees and websites have combined the two Richard's. My Richard was born in 1838 Ohio.  He married Susanna Zeck 7 Feb 1861 in Cass County, Indiana.  The 1850, 1860 and 1870 Federal Census show his residence in Deer Creek, Cass, Indiana.  The 1880 Federal Census  shows Richard and Susanna in Whitmore, Macon, Illinois.  The 1900 Federal Census show a residence of Cerro Gordo, Piatt, Illinois. The "other" Richard Poundstone appears to have been born sometime between 1836 and 1840 in Pennsylvania.  The variance in birth dates suggest that there may yet be another Richard Poundstone's records in question.  This Richard married an Emma.  They are listed in the 1863 Federal tax lists in Illinois and the 1870, 1880 and 1900 Federal Census in Farm Ridge, LaSalle, I

I am happy to announce I was awarded the Ancestor Approval Award by   Jo of Those Who Went Before @ arnspiger.blogspot.com.  The award originated from Leslie Ann Ballou at   Ancestors Live Here @ ancestorslivehere.blogspot.com.  I am thrilled to share my blog, even happier to know that followers enjoy reading it. Recipients of this award are asked to list ten things about their ancestors that have surprised, humbled or enlightened them and also to pass the award on to ten genealogy bloggers that they feel are doing their ancestors proud. 1.     SURPRISED, HUMBLED, OR ENLIGHTENED THINGS AOUT MY ANCESTORS:         1.  I was surprised that my paternal grandfather had been married three times between 1918 and 1924 prior to his marriage to my Grandmother.  One wife died of TB, the other two perished in the flu epidemic. 3.      2 .   I was enlightened when I located both of my mother’s Grandfather’s naturalization records at the Cook County Court House in Chicago, Illinois.  I had been

Holy Hope Cemetery, Tucson Arizona   Photographs by Juliana Urman

Use a different search engine for your online genealogy research. Google is quite popular, but other search engines may provide different results. Try Yahoo! Search ( http://search.yahoo.com/ ), Bing ( http://www.bing.com/ ), Ask.com ( http://www.ask.com/ ), Dogpile ( http://www.dogpile.com/ ), and even Clusty ( http://clusty.com/ ). Pick an unusual surname and search it in different engines. Make note of the top 10 page returns for each. If you’re a genealogy blogger, share your observations on this experience. This is a subject I have been sharing with people for years!  As a private investigator I use different search engines for different reasons.  What folks need to keep in mind is that each search engine is designed with a different focus by the developer.  The same goes for databases I use in my business.  You need to play and explore to see what search engine will get you what.   Ah the thrill of the internet search, so many ways to locate information.  Don't forget t

I recently had to break into the treasure chest (The Bank) to pay for the archival framing of my Grandfather's souvenir sweetheart pillow from WWI purchased in France.  I previously posted a picture of this treasure on 4 March 20 10.  I paid extra to have additional stitching put in to support the lace, extra for the museum quality glass.  In two weeks I will have my treasure returned to me safety mounted to preserve it from additional harm.  My mother kept it folded in quarters in a cedar chest.  I am looking forward to having this treasure displayed on the wall rather than hidden away.   I have found that family treasures that I display in my home generate stories and information sharing.   This happens not only with family members but guests in my home.   I have learned about other grandfathers’ war experiences, the lives of my family members, and traditions within and outside the family. The clerk at the framing shop also shared her stories her family heirlooms.   She had