TIP OF THE WEEK –  INTRODUCTION TO DNA AT SPL

On Monday, March 12, from 2:00 – 4:00 PM, John LaMont, Genealogy Librarian at Seattle Public Library – Central Branch, will present an “Introduction to DNA”.  The description says, “You will learn about DNA testing for genealogy including types of tests, major DNA testing companies, and tools and techniques for analyzing the results.”  This event is free and everyone is welcome, but registration is required and space is limited, so register early. Registration closes on March 9.  For all the particulars and to sign up for this event, go to the Seattle Public Library Website and find it on the Calendar of Events for the month of March. Start here:
http://www.spl.org/calendar-of-events

TIP OF THE WEEK –  THE CLEVELAND NECROLOGY FILE

Prior to 1976, the Cleveland Public Library staff clipped death notices from the local newspapers and maintained a file of these notices known as the Cleveland Necrology File. The Library has converted this file into an on-line database that is a breeze to search, readily accessible, and free to everyone. This is about 800,000 paid death notices and local cemetery records available online. No need to be a Cleveland Public Library patron.

It contains the complete full text of paid death notices as published in the following newspapers during the time periods listed:

• The Cleveland Plain Dealer – 1850-1975
• The Cleveland Herald – 1833, 1847-1848, 1876, 1878-1879
• The Cleveland Press – 1941-1975

TIP OF THE WEEK –
SVAR, the National Archives of Sweden

Don’t have an ancestry account, but want to access original Swedish records? Beginning this year, SVAR, the National Archives of Sweden, are offering their previous subscription records for free. These records are the same film you see if you log into Ancestry. It is still an open question of how many of the other records they possess will be made available under this program. Thanks to the Swedish government who funded this initiative in an effort to make all Swedish records freely available to all. Did you catch the word “free”?

TIP OF THE WEEK –
FamilySearch.org Affiliate Libraries

In the last issue of the eNews! we reported that as of December 13, 2017, patrons visiting FamilySearch.org need an account and need to login. In this issue we’re going to explain the different meaning of these two camera icons used at FamilySearch.org and when you need to visit a Family History Center or a FamilySearch Affiliate Library:

When you search historical records or the catalog at FamilySearch.org you may see one of these two similar looking, camera icons. They have totally different meanings.

The first icon, a camera alone, means there is a digital image available. You can click on it and view this image even from your personal computer, in the comfort of your home. Wonderful.

The second icon, the camera with a key over it, means access is restricted to these images and you must do one of the following:

• Access the images from a Family History Center computer
• Access the images from a FamilySearch affiliate library

An affiliate library will have access to nearly everything a Family History Center does. There are 3 affiliate libraries in the greater Seattle area and you may prefer to visit one of these, instead of a Family History Center, for the convenience of its location, or for its extended hours.

If you are far north of Seattle, the Snohomish Library in Snohomish, WA is an affiliate library with 40+ computers available and the reputation of having a very, helpful staff.

In South Seattle, the Northwest African American Museum is another affiliate library. They have two computers for your use. The computers are in the free area; no need to pay the museum entrance fee. Right now they are doing some updating, so hold off on your visit until the middle of January.

Last, but not least, is the Seattle Public Library. While you can access FamilySearch.org from any of the internet workstation computers in the library, the staff in the genealogy section, on the 9th floor of the downtown central library suggest you, as a newcomer to the process, come up and use one of their 5 computers. They are experienced FamilySearch users, and will be glad to help you navigate the slightly more complex login process. Don’t forget you will need your library card number, your library card password, your FamilySearch.org user name and FamilySearch user password.

No matter what affiliate library or Family History Center you use, don’t forget a USB thumb drive/flash drive with plenty of space. You will want to download copies of all those documents you are going to find.

TIP OF THE WEEK – Get a FamilySearch Account Now

As of December 13, 2017, patrons visiting FamilySearch.org are asked to log into their account, and if they do not have one, they are asked to open one. Not to worry; registering is a very simple process, and it is free.

I have had an account with FamilySearch.org for years and will vouch for them. They will not try to sell you anything and they will not bombard you with email. They promise not to pass your name and information to a third party without your consent.

If you had been using FamilySearch.org without logging in, you may not realize you were missing out on much of what FamilySearch.org had to offer. Without an account, you only had access to a small portion of their world class records.

Why is this login change necessary? FamilySearch is rapidly working toward their goal of getting all family history data into digital format, to be available online. Remember much of it was available only on microfiche and on paper in the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. With these changes, many of their data partners are asking for a more controlled environment and an authentication process, and with some providers, it is a contractual issue.

For over 100 years, FamilySearch, historically known as the Genealogical Society of Utah, has been dedicated to preserving the records of the family of mankind. Their purpose, to help people connect with their ancestors through easy access to historical records.

Signing in is a small price to pay for access to so much free, quality data. If you haven’t been to FamilySearch.org for awhile, be sure to visit soon.

Watch the upcoming eNews! issue for a tip on local FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries. There are a few you probably didn’t know about.  Possibly, there is one near you.