Thursday, February 25, 2010

March Is Coming

March is finally just around the corner!! With it, hopefully, will come warmer, dryer weather. I'm not sure how much more snow this old back can handle;)

Our morning meeting in March should be very interesting. Michael Mulholland will present: "Online Illinois". He'll be giving us a look at some the the great research sites specific to Illinois. You just may be surprised by the wonderful possibilites just waiting at your finger tips.

See you there: March 2 at 9:30 at GBPL.

While I'm at it let me remind you that on March 11 at 9:00 the Computer Interest Group will be discussing the many ways Google.com can help in your genealogical Research. Come with questions, suggestions, tips and favorite features.

Friday, February 19, 2010

February 2010 evening meeting

What an interesting meeting last night!! Janice Fritsch and Jane Haldeman presented: A comparison of FTM 2010 and Legacy Family Tree 7.4. They showed us category by category how the two programs are similar, different or unique.
I have been an FTM user for 16 years now - not that I haven't reviewed and tried others along the way - but I learned things about the program I'd not considered before. However, since I'm still using 2009, I'm convinced I need to upgrade very soon:)
In the end, it appears that both programs will provide users with excellent entry and output features. What really matters is each persons comfort level with the product. Try them out and see which one you prefer.
Sure wish you could all have joined us last night because is was an educational meeting.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Larry's art work

Larry Pepper's art work is currently on display at the Dundee Library. I think it is a must see. Larry can add a lot of visual interest to your family story. I have used his talents for photo restoration and putting old photos together to add interest and help tell a family story. Even if you are not into scrap booking photos and art work help make stories come alive . Future EGS programs will have speakers that will help you write your own family history and Larry can help you with that by adding visual interest with his creative art work and photo talent. Dont forget that what you do now and how you share your work will impact your descendents and provide them with a lasting remberance.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

February 18 evening meeting announcemnt

Hope you're planning on coming to the February evening meeting at 7:00 pm at the Gail Borden Public Library. The topic sounds really interesting and should prove to be educational.

Janice Fritsch and Jane Haldeman will present: A comparison of FTM 2009 and Legacy Family Tree 7.0

Even if you're not using either of these softwares or have a different version, I'm sure the comparisons will give you plenty to think about.

Hope to see you there:)

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Newspaper Indexing

Thank you to all the newspaper indexers for being faithfull and dedicated to indexing. I will be asking you to again sign up for indexing dates and also asking for contact information either email or phone so we can all stay connected. Remember you can do indexing anytime you are at GBPL and for any amount of time you have available. If you need a new assignment please contact me.

THANK YOU your work does matter and is valued.
from Ann Braasch

Thursday, February 11, 2010

EGS CIG

We had a rousing Computer Interest Group meeting this morning. Our topic was Using the LDS website, Family Search, including the pilot project.

It seems many of the group were unaware of the many research helps and records to be found. there We discussed the problem of finding books housed in Salt Lake which can't be ordered. One option is to take the information, check WorldCat to see it can be found at a library which does interlibrary loan; if so, then your local library should be able to get it for you. In addition, of course, we talked about ordering microfilm/fiche from our local LDS History Center or the Arlington Heights Memorial Library.

The pilot project brought oohs and ahhs when the group saw examples of original documents available there. I showed some marriage certificates from Cook County, Illinois and Judy Van Dusen brought up church records (marriage and burial) from St. Louis, MO. (all free!!) Though the LDS is a long way from digitizing and indexing every record held in the mountain, more and more are frequently added on-line so it's important to check back often.

Hopefully, everyone went home and to spend some time playing at these sites!! Even if you weren't at the meeting, it will be worth your while to take a look at these sites.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

CIG meets Thursday Feb 11

A little reminder that our Computer Interest Group is scheduled to meet this Thursday, February 11, at 9:00am at Gail Borden Public Library.

Hopefully by then we'll all have clean driveways and safe streets. So far the snow is predicted to stop tomorrow, Wednesday, morning.

Until then, stay warm and cozy.

Becky

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Half of February AM Meeting

Those who braved the weather Tuesday morning benefited from two wonderful talks regarding communities to our North. Below is a summary for half of that program (the other half will be forth coming.)

Thanks to Janet for this summary:

Janet Burkart presented a program on the Upper Great Lakes 1680-1780. The focus of her program was Colonial Fort de Michilimackinac 1715-1780. Her husband Gordon Burkart's ancestor (great-grandfather x3) Charles de Langlade was born at the fort in May 1729. Charles was the son of French fur trader Augustin Mouet de Langlade and his Ottawa Indian wife Domitille, sister of Ottawa principal chief LaFourche. Charles became a leading resident of the Michilimackinac community and a powerful intermediary between French officers and the Ottawa Indians. Charles Langlade's role in the history of the fort, and the French/Indian war to the beginning of the American Revolution were covered in her program.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Who Do You Think You Are ?

The NBC series "Who Do You Think You Are?" premiers on Friday March 5. Check out the video clip at:

http://www.nbc.com/who-do-you-think-you-are/

Featured are Susan Sarandon, Brooke Shields, Matthew Broderick, Spike Lee, Emmitt Smith, Lisa Kudrow and Sarah Jessica Parker. One of these celebrities has ties to the Salem Witch Trials and another to the Battle at Gettysburg. Can you guess who?

Judy