Back in September of 1984 I was a newly wed just back from my honeymoon. So that may explain why I don't remember catching the episode of the popular "Who's the Boss" TV show called "I Dream of Genealogy." If you missed it too, no worries, because now you can free on NBC Universal's website called Hulu.com.
When I found this episode, I thought I would just catch a couple of minutes, but ended up watching the entire thing. (TV was pretty cute back in the eighties!) In this genealogically themed episode, Tony's daughter Samantha (played by Alyssa Milano) is prompted by a schoolwork assignment about family history to write a letter to the mayor of a village in Italy in hopes of making contact with Tony's maternal grandfather. Tony is delighted to meet his maternal grandfather for the very first time when he comes to visit, but is shocked to discover that his house guest may not be a member of the "famiglia" after all.
It's a charming episode, and reminds us that half the joy of genealogy is the wonderful people we meet along the way, even if they don't share our DNA.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Friday, May 9, 2008
Torn apart and put back together again...
Art Buchwald, the world-famous humour columnist is one of many Jewish Americans who share their stories of World War II in the The Library of Congress Veterans History Project (VHP), a program of the American Folklife Center.
You can listen to Art, a member of the 113th Fighter Squadron, 4th Marine Air Wing of the Marine Corp, discussing his boot camp experience where they "tore you apart and put you back together again." And in the audio clip "Life in Marines for a Jewish boy from New York" he recounts the harassment he received and the surprising reason for it.
The Veterans History Project commemorates Jewish American Heritage Month with a special series of 10 first-hand stories of Jewish Veterans of World War II. The Library of Congress' Jewish American Heritage Month 2008 theme, “The American Jewish Experience,” was inspired by the Library’s book and exhibition “From Haven to Home: 350 Years of Jewish Life.”
According to the book, “the view of America as both a haven and a home reflects the country’s extraordinary hospitality to the civilizations and cultures of the diverse groups of Jewish immigrants who, over the centuries, made America their home. The twin blessings of freedom and opportunity encouraged and rewarded active participation in society-at-large. But persistent challenges to group survival have also been a consequence of this unprecedented freedom, and, in response to these pressures, new modes of group affiliation and identification emerged.”
You can listen to Art, a member of the 113th Fighter Squadron, 4th Marine Air Wing of the Marine Corp, discussing his boot camp experience where they "tore you apart and put you back together again." And in the audio clip "Life in Marines for a Jewish boy from New York" he recounts the harassment he received and the surprising reason for it.
The Veterans History Project commemorates Jewish American Heritage Month with a special series of 10 first-hand stories of Jewish Veterans of World War II. The Library of Congress' Jewish American Heritage Month 2008 theme, “The American Jewish Experience,” was inspired by the Library’s book and exhibition “From Haven to Home: 350 Years of Jewish Life.”
According to the book, “the view of America as both a haven and a home reflects the country’s extraordinary hospitality to the civilizations and cultures of the diverse groups of Jewish immigrants who, over the centuries, made America their home. The twin blessings of freedom and opportunity encouraged and rewarded active participation in society-at-large. But persistent challenges to group survival have also been a consequence of this unprecedented freedom, and, in response to these pressures, new modes of group affiliation and identification emerged.”
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Genealogist Racketeers!
Who would have thunk?! Genealogists immortalized on the big screen in a less than positive light. Where were my smelling salts when I needed them!
My husband & I went to the movies last night at our favorite grand old theater complete with Wurlitzer organ solos between movies. The theater has been running the complete works of Bette Davis from 1931 to 1938. The first in the double feature was a movie called "Jimmy the Gent" starring James Cagney as Jimmy Corrigan, genealogist, and Bette as his feisty love interest.
Wait a second...James Cagney playing a genealogist!
Yep, Jimmy Corrigan is a “genealogist” con artist who seeks out the heirs of rich people who have just died for a cut of the inheritance. If he can’t find them, he makes them up for a commission. He's a hot headed fellow who more than once throws a book through the glass pane in the door to his office that has his title painted on it "Genealogist."
Ah, but a genealogist can't be all bad, and by the end of the "picture" (as Grandma always called them) Jimmy goes legit and wins his girl, Bette. A riveting story of genealogy redemption!
My husband & I went to the movies last night at our favorite grand old theater complete with Wurlitzer organ solos between movies. The theater has been running the complete works of Bette Davis from 1931 to 1938. The first in the double feature was a movie called "Jimmy the Gent" starring James Cagney as Jimmy Corrigan, genealogist, and Bette as his feisty love interest.
Wait a second...James Cagney playing a genealogist!
Yep, Jimmy Corrigan is a “genealogist” con artist who seeks out the heirs of rich people who have just died for a cut of the inheritance. If he can’t find them, he makes them up for a commission. He's a hot headed fellow who more than once throws a book through the glass pane in the door to his office that has his title painted on it "Genealogist."
Ah, but a genealogist can't be all bad, and by the end of the "picture" (as Grandma always called them) Jimmy goes legit and wins his girl, Bette. A riveting story of genealogy redemption!
Saturday, May 3, 2008
The British Are Coming...To FamilySearch!
Here's some good news for those of us researching British ancestors...
SALT LAKE CITY-FamilySearch announced today it is working with the UK family history Web site www.findmypast.com and The National Archives of the United Kingdom to increase access to select British historical records. The first major projects will provide access to millions of names of deceased British soldiers and seamen from eighteenth to twentieth century.
Findmypast.com and FamilySearch were recently awarded licenses by The National Archives to digitize and make available both the Chelsea Pensioners retired soldiers records between 1760 and 1914, and the Merchant Seamen's collection of records dating from 1835 to 1941.
Chelsea Pensioners and Militia Records
The three-year project will digitize and index nine million images from the War Office's Royal Hospital Chelsea Soldiers' Service documents dating from 1760 and Militia Attestation Papers documents from 1870, through to 1913.
The records truly bring to life the comings and goings of pensioners (patients) in the Royal Hospital Chelsea, including each ex-serviceman's name, age, birthplace and service history, as well as details of physical appearance, conduct sheet, previous occupation, and in some cases the reason for discharge. After 1883, details of marriages and children may also appear.
Merchant Seamen Records
The Board of Trade's merchant seamen records from the periods 1835 to 1844 and 1918 to 1941 will also be digitized and indexed. When the project is complete, the public will be able to easily search online for the names and date and place of birth of ancestors who served as merchant seamen.
Many of the twentieth century records include portrait photographs of the sailors as well as personal details and summaries of their voyages. The records include people of many nationalities and women's service records.
Nearly a third of UK families have ancestors who served as a merchant seaman, and many Americans have British roots, making this series of records extremely important to genealogists and family historians.
Digitization partnership
FamilySearch will digitize the records on site at The National Archives, and Findmypast.com will create indexes and transcriptions to enable online patrons to easily search the records and images at both www.findmypast.com and www.familysearch.org.
Elaine Collins, Commercial Director at findmypast.com said, "This is great news for anyone who has hit a brick wall in their family history research. Servicemen and merchant seamen played a hugely important role in the United Kingdom's military, economic and social history. The details included in these two sets of records will open up a wealth of new information about their lives to family history enthusiasts and military historians alike."
SALT LAKE CITY-FamilySearch announced today it is working with the UK family history Web site www.findmypast.com and The National Archives of the United Kingdom to increase access to select British historical records. The first major projects will provide access to millions of names of deceased British soldiers and seamen from eighteenth to twentieth century.
Findmypast.com and FamilySearch were recently awarded licenses by The National Archives to digitize and make available both the Chelsea Pensioners retired soldiers records between 1760 and 1914, and the Merchant Seamen's collection of records dating from 1835 to 1941.
Chelsea Pensioners and Militia Records
The three-year project will digitize and index nine million images from the War Office's Royal Hospital Chelsea Soldiers' Service documents dating from 1760 and Militia Attestation Papers documents from 1870, through to 1913.
The records truly bring to life the comings and goings of pensioners (patients) in the Royal Hospital Chelsea, including each ex-serviceman's name, age, birthplace and service history, as well as details of physical appearance, conduct sheet, previous occupation, and in some cases the reason for discharge. After 1883, details of marriages and children may also appear.
Merchant Seamen Records
The Board of Trade's merchant seamen records from the periods 1835 to 1844 and 1918 to 1941 will also be digitized and indexed. When the project is complete, the public will be able to easily search online for the names and date and place of birth of ancestors who served as merchant seamen.
Many of the twentieth century records include portrait photographs of the sailors as well as personal details and summaries of their voyages. The records include people of many nationalities and women's service records.
Nearly a third of UK families have ancestors who served as a merchant seaman, and many Americans have British roots, making this series of records extremely important to genealogists and family historians.
Digitization partnership
FamilySearch will digitize the records on site at The National Archives, and Findmypast.com will create indexes and transcriptions to enable online patrons to easily search the records and images at both www.findmypast.com and www.familysearch.org.
Elaine Collins, Commercial Director at findmypast.com said, "This is great news for anyone who has hit a brick wall in their family history research. Servicemen and merchant seamen played a hugely important role in the United Kingdom's military, economic and social history. The details included in these two sets of records will open up a wealth of new information about their lives to family history enthusiasts and military historians alike."
Friday, April 18, 2008
Genealogy Gems PREMIUM is here!
Over the last year I’ve been developing the Genealogy Gems Podcast into the kind of show that I would want to listen to as an avid family historian. And I hope therefore I have created something that pleases you.
As you can imagine, creating the show, videos and website has become more than a full time job. I’ve been searching for the right method to deliver all of this information to you that will enable me to sustain the podcast well into the future. Well, it’s here: The Genealogy Gems Premium Membership…
With one low yearly subscription fee you will help to ensure that I can keep delivering the Genealogy Gems Podcast and all of the gems you’ve come to enjoy. Production of the free podcasts will be slowed down now that I have over 45 available. However, as a Premium subscriber you will have access to two brand new members-only podcast episodes, as well as new videos each and every month. These will not be available anywhere else, even iTunes. They will be available ONLY to premium members.
In addition to the Premium Podcasts and Videos, you’ll get great BONUS features:
Genealogy Gems Message Board Forum
Behind the Scenes with Lisa
Genealogy Gems Interactive Crossword Puzzles
…and you asked for it and now you’ve got it: The COMPLETE Genealogy Gems Newsletter Archive Library
For much less than the price of a gallon of gas a month, you can get all of these gems! And the premium area of the website has NO outside advertising! This became particularly important to me because of the recent bogus genealogy websites that have been popping up. In the past I, like so many websites, have included Google ads to try to help cover costs. But we website owners don't have any control over which Google ads appear. Since they are genealogy related, that means we could potentially host ads for these bogus sites on our websites. I'm not willing to take that chance, and have removed all Google ads from the Genealogy Gems website, and they will not appear in the PREMIUM area. (I hope all genealogy related websites and blogs hosting Google ads will take a serious look at this problem and how they may be unknowingly passing along ads to visitors for these bogus sites.)
If you enjoy the show and have found that it has added value to your research, then I know you will be thrilled with the Premium Membership.
Be sure and listen to Episode 46 ASAP. First, I know you’ll enjoy my guest, Paula Sassi, Certified Graphologist, who is going to give us a peek into our ancestor’s personalities that will amaze you! Next I’ll be announcing Genealogy Gems Premium Membership. Finally, I’ll be announcing two exciting offers.
1) FOR NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS ONLY: 20% off the annual Premium Membership valid through May 31, 2008. (To subscribe and get the coupon code, send an email with your name, state and that you heard about the offer on this blog)
2) Every new member will be entered for a chance to win a FREE handwriting analysis of one of their ancestors by Paula Sassi, CG (valued at $100. Drawing held May 15, 2008)
It’s going to be an exciting year that you won’t want to miss! Sign up now to become a premium member of Genealogy Gems Premium and be sure to enter your Coupon Code to get your 20% discount.
Thank you for listening, and I look forward to talking with you at the Members Message Board Forum!
Lisa Louise Cooke
Here’s what one listener had to say about the Genealogy Gems Podcast…
“This is, by far, my favorite podcast on iTunes. Listening to Lisa Louise Cooke makes my ancestors much more than a name, set of dates, and a face in sepia tone. The many innovative tips she has shared which has helped to break down several of my “brick walls!” (Review in iTunes)
Thursday, April 10, 2008
NARA's guide to Records of Mauthausen Concentration Camp
The National Archives announced today that it has published a new guide to Records of Mauthausen Concentration Camp, including World War II and Postwar Records.
The guide, compiled by staff archivist Amy Schmidt and intern Gudrun Loehrer, identifies and describes records from 19 record groups preserved at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland.
From the NARA press release:
"The records were developed through wartime intelligence and reconnaissance, captured during the camp's liberation, and generated through postwar military investigations and tribunals. They include textual, photographic, motion picture, and cartographic records, spanning the period 1938-1960. The 367-page reference information paper (RIP 115) is available free from the Research Support Staff at the National Archives at College Park. To obtain a copy, please call 1-866-272-6272 or 1-800-234-8861.
Mauthausen was an SS-operated "Category III" death camp designed to hold "heavily accused" prisoners and "asocial prisoners, those who can hardly be corrected." The volume provides detailed description of records that document both the nature of the Mauthausen complex as a network of about 50 sub camps and the operation of the camps, including forced labor, transport of inmates, and methods of execution. The opening section describes Original Mauthausen records and special collections, and another identifies at length the records of the U.S. Army war crimes trials in Dachau, Germany, 1945-1948. Appendices provide a list of Mauthausen defendants by case; a catalogue of Mauthausen materials at the International Tracing Service in Bad Arolsen, Germany; and an address list of other international repositories holding Mauthausen-related records. These records are an invaluable source of information for Holocaust historians."
More info:
Holocaust-era records and research at the National Archives .
Online Holocaust-Era Assets: A Finding Aid to Records at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland.
Information on Holocaust-related microfilm publications
The guide, compiled by staff archivist Amy Schmidt and intern Gudrun Loehrer, identifies and describes records from 19 record groups preserved at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland.
From the NARA press release:
"The records were developed through wartime intelligence and reconnaissance, captured during the camp's liberation, and generated through postwar military investigations and tribunals. They include textual, photographic, motion picture, and cartographic records, spanning the period 1938-1960. The 367-page reference information paper (RIP 115) is available free from the Research Support Staff at the National Archives at College Park. To obtain a copy, please call 1-866-272-6272 or 1-800-234-8861.
Mauthausen was an SS-operated "Category III" death camp designed to hold "heavily accused" prisoners and "asocial prisoners, those who can hardly be corrected." The volume provides detailed description of records that document both the nature of the Mauthausen complex as a network of about 50 sub camps and the operation of the camps, including forced labor, transport of inmates, and methods of execution. The opening section describes Original Mauthausen records and special collections, and another identifies at length the records of the U.S. Army war crimes trials in Dachau, Germany, 1945-1948. Appendices provide a list of Mauthausen defendants by case; a catalogue of Mauthausen materials at the International Tracing Service in Bad Arolsen, Germany; and an address list of other international repositories holding Mauthausen-related records. These records are an invaluable source of information for Holocaust historians."
More info:
Holocaust-era records and research at the National Archives .
Online Holocaust-Era Assets: A Finding Aid to Records at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland.
Information on Holocaust-related microfilm publications
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