Sunday, April 30, 2017

This Week On My Family History Calendar

April 30- May 6



April 30~
  This day would have been my 5th great grandfather, John Dargan's (1749-1817) 268th birthday. He was the son of Capt. John Dargan (1726-1766) and Mary (Strother)  (1729-abt. 1808) and may have been born in the Prince Frederick Parish area of South Carolina. 

May 3~
 The 103rd anniversary of the marriage of my paternal great grandparents, John McSwain Hudson (1880-1961) and Louvinia Blanche (Thames) Hudson (1886-1918). John was 34 and Blanche was 28 when they married in Manning, Clarendon, South Carolina.

Marriage Announcement
John and Blanche Hudson
Manning Times (Manning, SC)
9 May 1914 


May 5~
   My paternal grandmother, Mary (Baker) Hudson (1920-2010) was born 97 years ago in Columbia, Richland, South Carolina. Mary was the daughter of Jubal Ransom Early (1888-1964) and Emma Ruth (Baker) Early (1901-1993).


Mary (Baker) Hudson
1920-2010

Who is on your calendar this week?
Helping you climb your family tree,


Celebration Sunday~Genealogy Happy Dance!



You know the dance. You know you've done it. The one every researcher does after finding something new. The one where you want to jump up and down and shout to everyone around that you found the document, contacted a cousin who has the family Bible, made a DNA connection or found a whole new branch to your tree. The one that is met with glazed stares and eye rolls.
                                                          Celebration Sunday is a place to share your discoveries. 
This is a weekly series to enable everyone to tell about their Genealogy Happy Dance moment. This can be done by scrolling down and adding your story to the comments section. You may also put a link to a blog post.




                                                                 
My Happy Dance This Week:
 Can't say there's been a moment to celebrate this week, just moving forward with a few projects and some research. It does make me do the Happy Dance when I read your comments as you share your discoveries and connections for the week! Please keep them coming! It's so much fun to celebrate together!

                                                                                           Share your discovery!
                                                                                   Let the dancing commence!






Looking forward to reading about your Happy Dance moment!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,


Thursday, April 27, 2017

In-Brief With IDG~Pennsylvania Genealogy-Review

Disclaimer:
Reviewing new genealogy products is something I am asked to do occasionally. For this review, a .pdf copy was sent for free.
No other compensation will be given. 
Opinions expressed are my own.



A new In-Brief Guide "Pennsylvania Genealogy" has been added to the growing list of available titles in the In-Brief with IDG series from The In-Depth Genealogist.

Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL is the author of this guide for those researching roots in the state of Pennsylvania.
What is an In-Brief Guide? An easy to take along 4-page laminated "cheat sheet" to help understand what is available for a topic or state to get you on your way to finding your ancestors.

This new publication begins with an overview of Pennsylvania including interesting facts and a timeline.
Very helpful are the research strategies explaining what types of records are available and where to find them. For those whose ancestors migrated to other locations from Pennsylvania an explanation of migration routes is included. 
The brickwall buster information is sure to come in handy with those problem ancestors. 
From where to find vital records to understanding Pennsylvania Laws, the guide has many links in various categories to help you find the records you are looking for. Also included is a list of books and manuscripts for using in researching the state.

Methods of research and the types of records available differ depending on location. Before beginning in a new area or when needing suggestions to work through a problem, learning the where, what and how in the locality can help us be successful.

Do you have Pennsylvania ancestors? Whether you have researched there for years or are just beginning, I would recommend In Brief with IDG  "Pennsylvania Genealogy".

Thanks for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,


Sunday, April 23, 2017

This Week On My Family History Calendar

April 23-April 29



April 28~
 Gilbert Ernest Roberts, Jr. (1944-1999), my maternal Uncle died 18 years ago on this day. He is buried in Quaker Cemetery in Camden, Kershaw, South Carolina.

Gil Roberts, Jr.
1962
©Cheri Hudson Passey




Arthur Wellington Baker (1857-1940), my paternal Great Great Grandfather, was born on this day 160 years ago. He was born in Sumter County, South Carolina and was the son of Alpheus J. Baker (1824-1917) and Mary Ellen (Jones) Baker (1826-1865).


Arthur Wellington Baker
(1857-1940)

 My maternal Great Grandmother, Beulah Mae (Price) Roberts (1897-1980) would have been celebrating her 120th birthday on this day. Beulah was born in Bath, Aiken, South Carolina. She was the daughter of Bertrand Campbell Price (1876-after 1922) and Bessie Mae (Eargle) Price (1878-1943).


Beulah Mae (Price) Roberts
(1897-1980)
57th Birthday-1954
©Cheri Hudson Passey

Interesting how events coincide with one another. Not only did these three happen on one day, but Gil Roberts died on his grandmother Beulah Mae Robert's birthday.

Who are you remembering this week?
Thanks for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,


Celebration Sunday~Genealogy Happy Dance!



You know the dance. You know you've done it. The one every researcher does after finding something new. The one where you want to jump up and down and shout to everyone around that you found the document, contacted a cousin who has the family Bible, made a DNA connection or found a whole new branch to your tree. The one that is met with glazed stares and eye rolls.
                                                          Celebration Sunday is a place to share your discoveries. 
This is a weekly series to enable everyone to tell about their Genealogy Happy Dance moment. This can be done by scrolling down and adding your story to the comments section. You may also put a link to a blog post.



                                                                 
My Happy Dance This Week:
 Teaching two classes of newbies had me jumping for joy! I absolutely love getting people started on their genealogy journey or helping them continue on their way. Can't wait for my next class!


                                                                                           Share your discovery!
                                                                                   Let the dancing commence!





Looking forward to reading about your Happy Dance moment!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,


Friday, April 21, 2017

NGS 2017 In Raleigh~Come See Me!


If you have ever attended a National Genealogy Society Conference, you know what an amazing learning experience it is!



This year, Findmypast.com is offering to get you connected with expert genealogists at its booth #315 in the Expo Hall.
All you have to do is sign up for a free consultation and choose a topic! How simple and fun is that! 
For more information check out the Findmypast blog.
I am pleased to announce that I will be one of the genealogists who will be helping with this awesome experience.
So, if you are going to NGS2017, request a time for a consultation and come see me! 
What can I help you with? 
We can talk about getting started on your journey, brick walls, U.S. research, etc. 
Just fill out the form, and tell 'em Cheri sent you! 
See you in Raleigh!

Helping you climb your family tree,
Cheri




Sunday, April 9, 2017

Celebration Sunday~Genealogy Happy Dance!



You know the dance. You know you've done it. The one every researcher does after finding something new. The one where you want to jump up and down and shout to everyone around that you found the document, contacted a cousin who has the family Bible, made a DNA connection or found a whole new branch to your tree. The one that is met with glazed stares and eye rolls.
                                                          Celebration Sunday is a place to share your discoveries. 
This is a weekly series to enable everyone to tell about their Genealogy Happy Dance moment. This can be done by scrolling down and adding your story to the comments section. You may also put a link to a blog post.




                                                                 
My Happy Dance This Week:
 My local genealogy club had a workshop yesterday. After much planning and long hours putting together my presentation, it all went off without a hitch....well except for a couple of problems with the internet connection. Other that we had a great day of learning and sharing. It's always great to hang out with genfriends!

                                                                                           Share your discovery!
                                                                                   Let the dancing commence!






Looking forward to reading about your Happy Dance moment!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,


Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Tuesday's Tip~Gettin' By With Help From Our Friends-Emily Hackett-Fiske!


Today's Tuesday Tip comes from Emily Hackett-Fiske, owner of and blogger at A Link to Your Past.


­­Tips for Navigating AncestryDNA results

Many times our excitement (think kid in a candy store) takes over when thinking about the possibilities of combing genetic and traditional research, but we often need to take a step back and not miss the obvious.  I am writing these tips to help not just the genetic genealogist, but for anyone and everyone who takes a DNA test.  Though the tips in this blog post are using AncestryDNA results for examples, these tips can be applied to the other DNA testing companies as well.

       1.    Family Tree – Link It!

Everyone should have a “basic” family tree linked to his or her DNA results at a minimum.  There is nothing more frustrating than seeing “No family tree” as seen in the image below.  If you have tested and have not included a family tree, I am speaking to you!  Everyone takes DNA test for different reasons, but why not take advantage of the features available.  Now there are a few instances, such as adoptees, who may not have a “paper” family tree to link.  

You do not need a subscription with Ancestry to link a family tree to your results.  The option for nonsubscribers is to create a free, public family tree, and link to your results under the AncestryDNA settings.  Worried about privacy?  There is the option to make people “living” for the first couple of generations even when they are deceased.  A more advanced researcher most likely will determine the connection even with the simplest clues, while a more beginner researcher user may begin to recognize surnames or locations. 

If you are a subscriber, there is the option to make your family tree private (lock symbol as seen below for my linked family tree).  You could also create a “genetic” family tree to link, where you are providing much less information than your “paper” family tree.  Once again, there may be enough clues for the advanced researcher to identify the connection and the beginning stages for the beginner researcher. 

This was the case with the first of the 3rd cousin level matches shown below.  Based on the public family tree linked to the match’s results, I was able to correlate a spouse’s surname and make the connection.  This was significant for the match as he knew nothing about his grandmother’s family, and it confirmed most likely the half-sibling relationship between my great-grandmother and his grandmother.  We need to be building and linking these family trees for everyone to have a better experience with genetic genealogy.







2.  Shared Ancestor Hint  - Check it!

Recently, a DNA match on AncestryDNA.com contacted me because she was interested in our Shared Ancestor Hint, but was unable to see the connection due to my private tree setting. Prior to returning a message, I reviewed the hint and the username information.  How did I connect to someone from Australia and why was my gut telling me something seemed off with the hint?  





Thank goodness for private tree setting!  This prevented wrong information from being distributed to a public family tree.  Stopped one shaky leaf hint replication error!  As you can see above in the image, Ancestry provided a “hint” to our DNA connection.  Does your gut tell you anything is wrong? 

According to this hint, Susannah Ware was the mother to Joseph Casborn/Casborne and Joseph Parker.  There is always the possibility she was married twice.  However in this case, Casborn is not a common surname in Rhode Island during the time period, and I had spent time researching this family, eventually making my way back to England.  My balloon of excitement was deflated very quickly when I realized the error! 

The first image below is Joseph Casborn, who is the son of Susannah WARE, however, take a good look at the second image below.  Joseph Parker is not the son of Susannah Ware, but of Susan WARDE.  Always check Ancestry’s Shared Ancestor Hint for accuracy!  






    3.  Last Logged In Date – Review It!


The “Last logged in” date can be somewhat telling about how interested someone might be about connecting with DNA matches.  The image below shows when various matches have logged into their accounts to view their DNA results/matches.  There are matches that log in every day, while some haven’t logged in to accounts for over a year.  I know it is hard to believe someone not wanting to log in every day, but it can be overwhelming when you are uncertain about what to do with these DNA results. 


         4.  Family Units – Build It!

Many times various members of a family will test, however, each person administrates their own DNA results instead of one person administrating the family. It is beneficial to determine the family units from shared matches and clues left by the users.  Once the family unit has been determined, find the person of the group that has been logging in the most (going back to Tip No. 3) and contact that person. 

Recently, I came across two situations, where the family members all tested separately.  In one case, the family member with the closest match to my client had passed away only months earlier, which I would have not known without contacting the other family member that logged in the most.  In the other case, the family member with the closest match to my client was older and not computer savvy, which I only determined by contacting the family member that logged in the most. 

        5.   GedMatch.com – Upload Today!

If you have not uploaded your DNA results to GedMatch, PLEASE consider doing it.  There are many blog post on what Gedmatch is, how to upload and the features.  It is hard to believe that not everyone is running out and testing at all four companies, but they aren’t.  Gedmatch is a great (FREE) website, where anyone from the “big three” testing companies can upload the DNA results and compare with others who have tested at other companies.  There are also some great tools as well! 




Emily Hazel Hackett-Fiske is owner of A Link To Your Past, a genealogical research company specializing in unknown parentage and DNA.  Emily also provides services in Vermont and New Hampshire genealogical research.    Genealogical research has been her passion in life since she can remember.  It is the thrill of the chase and discovery for those complex genealogical problems that keeps Emily’s passion burning.  It is her desire to share and support others in their journey in discovering their family, both past and present, where genetic and paper family trees meet.







Wow! Emily! Thanks so much for the great DNA tips!
They will help me and many others as we try to connect with family.

We'd love to hear your thoughts on Emily's tips and how using DNA has helped you in your family history research.
Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,



Sunday, April 2, 2017

Celebration Sunday~Genealogy Happy Dance!



You know the dance. You know you've done it. The one every researcher does after finding something new. The one where you want to jump up and down and shout to everyone around that you found the document, contacted a cousin who has the family Bible, made a DNA connection or found a whole new branch to your tree. The one that is met with glazed stares and eye rolls.
                                                          Celebration Sunday is a place to share your discoveries. 
This is a weekly series to enable everyone to tell about their Genealogy Happy Dance moment. This can be done by scrolling down and adding your story to the comments section. You may also put a link to a blog post.




                                                                 
My Happy Dance This Week:
 After a few extensions due to family emergencies, I finally completed the American Genealogy Home Study Class from the National Genealogy Society!  Getting my certificate of completion in the mail had me dancing for joy! 


NGS American Genealogy Homestudy
Certificate of Completion


                                                                                           Share your discovery!
                                                                                   Let the dancing commence!






Looking forward to reading about your Happy Dance moment!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,