Sun, 18 November 2007 EPISODE 34 SHOW NOTES: New videos for you at the Genealogy Gems website: "Family Tree" & "Circle of Life" by Venice. A very moving video highlighting a collection of photographs at the Library of Congress' American Memory collection taken by Lewis Hines of child labor in the early 19th century. MAILBOX: Wreath by creative podcast listener Linda Kvist, Sweden
"The Emigrants" movie review Create your own Family History Christmas Wreath by watching the An email from Beverly Shaw : If you"re looking for stocking stuffer ideas, there's still plenty of time to make the Sweet Memories candy bars which I described in detail in Episode 20 and in my book "Genealogy Gems: Ultimate Research Strategies"
From Barbara Murphy: Follow up on Google Gadgets: GEM: A Thanksgiving Celebration Thanksgiving at the Library of Congress What Shall the Harvest Be? Sowing the seed by the daylight fair, "OUR NATIONAL THANKSGIVING by Sarah Josepha Hale Sign up for the free Genealogy Gems E-mail Newletter |
Sun, 11 November 2007 Episode 33 Show Notes The New Genealogy Gems News Blog Newsletter: IGoogle: Upcoming Conference Appearance: All of the old Edison recordings on this episode are courtesy of the University of California at Santa Barbara GEM: This old dog learned a new trick – or how I got in touch with my own podcast: Here’s how to do it:
GEM: Google Gadget for American Memory: How to get the American Memory Google Gadget:
GEM: Genealogy Podfading: GEM: Silhouettes by Kathryn Flocken: Video: Kathryn Flockens Paper Portraits webpage
Silhouette of genealogy podcaster Lisa Louise Cooke by Kathryn Flocken GEM: History of the Census and Its Samples: Measuring America: The Decennial Censuses from 1790-2000 If you’d like to learn more about how the history of the census and a website like this can be of real help to you in your own family research, go to the July 2007 Genealogy Gems newsletter back issue and read the article featuring a listener question that was answered using this history of the census information. Email Me with comments and questions I hope you’re busily working on your Family History Christmas Wreath from episode 32. There are 4 videos there on the website to walk you through how to do that. Have fun! |
Sun, 4 November 2007 Episode 32 Show Notes
Email From Dave Green: "Attached (is) a find on ebay. I hadn't thought to look there for family mementos. I typed in the tiny town of Fiat, IN and it came back with a matchbook from the store my grandparents had owned there! Thanks for the valuable gem.�
Genealogy for the Next Generation The Genealogy Gems Listener page - see Simpsonized Dave Email from Judy in Memphis: Hi, Lisa, a few weeks ago I contacted you and said I was going to do the Sweet Memories candy bars this Christmas. I thought you would enjoy seeing how they turned out! I have only actually put the candy in two to try it out but will wait until closer to Christmas so the candy will be fresh. I used the 3.5 oz Dove Bars, dark chocolate. I will send them to 47 people in the family who will enjoy the candy and hopefully the memories. The front says: "In Memory of Daddy, (Kenneth) who gave us our love of chocolate and Mother (Mildred) who made all those wonderful desserts. Love, Judy." The three children on the front are my two sisters and me at Christmas about 1946. The picture on the back is of the same children and our parents, about 1960. I hope they enjoy this little gift. Thanks so much for the idea. Again, I love the podcast and have gotten a lot of useful information. You make it really fun.
GEM: Invite Your Ancestors to Christmas - Create A Family History Christmas Wreath Joy to the World Edison Records 1906 Courtesy of University of Santa Barbara This week, I"m very please to be publishing my first Christmas project instructional video sharing with you how to create your own family history Christmas Wreath. This wreath is so beautiful, and I’m really excited to have found a way to incorporate more wonderful family photos into our holiday decorations. I’ve done my best to give you step by step instructions so that you can make your wreath right along with me. Watch the four part video which in total runs about 35 minutes - Here's an example: Part 1 I really hope that you will take the time to create this lovely wreath. I had so much fun making it, and I’ve already gotten oos and ahs from people who have seen it. I guarantee if you invest your love and time into making it, it will be appreciated by everyone who sees it. And I would love to see your finished projects! So email me a photo as Judy from Memphis did with her Christmas candy bars. It would be inspiration for us all! |
Sun, 28 October 2007 EPISODE 31 SHOW NOTES Genealogy Gems: Ultimate Research Strategies. Thanks to those of you who have bought the book. You guys are great. A special little Halloween hello from Genealogy Gems. Sad news: The This Week's Genealogy Gems Google Gadget has crashed. However, I will likely create a new custom gadget in the near future so I"ll keep you posted. To receive the code for the gadget just be sure to sign up for the free Genealogy Gems monthly newsletter because that’s the email list I use to personally email you the code so you can install it on your iGoogle page. Newsletter Sign Up & Back issues The website is evolving every day with new content, so be sure and visit regularly at www.genealogygems.tv In the Resources section you will find lots of great genealogy research strategies. Be sure to click on the Google Research Gems Link. I have a special gadget there that will provide you with a new Google tip every day. And you’ll also find lots of other great tips that we’ve talked about to make Google work harder for your genealogy research. Please do let your research friends and your local genealogy society know about it as a resource for them too, even if they don’t listen to the podcast. The Irish Jig performed by the National Promenade Band in 1914 for Edison Records courtesy of University of Santa Barbara. American Memory provides free and open access through the Internet to over 9 million items of written and spoken words, sound recordings, still and moving images, prints, maps, and sheet music that document the American experience. These materials chronicle historical events, people, places, and ideas that continue to shape America.
Some of my other favorite areas of the Collections and Programs are:
Prints & Photos LOC online database: LOC WEBCASTS Start by browsing the Biography and History listings. The library website also offers RSS feeds and email Subscriptions on a variety of subjects. The future: the library just signed a World Digital Library Agreement with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization pledging cooperative efforts to build a World Digital Library website. World Digital Library at the Worlddigitallibrary.org. Video GEM: Genealogy for the Next Generation To get the attention of the next generation for genealogy I Simposonized myself.
Genealogy for the Next Generation at Genealogy Gems. Simpsonize Me! It’s totally free, and really fun. |
Sun, 21 October 2007 SHOW NOTES for Episode 30 Calling all Ladies: Notice a trend on the Genealogy Gems Listener Page? Only men have sent in photos! Come on ladies, you need to be represented! Email a photo of yourself listening to the podcast on your ipod or computer, or holding up something that you've found since listening to the podcast, or both. Website News: New this week you will find a search box on the left side of the Genealogy Gems homepage under the navigation menu. I hope that you will use it and find it helpful in getting to where you want to go. GEM: Interview with Ali Selim, Director of "Sweet Land� In episode 29 I told you about a wonderful movie that I saw recently called Sweet Land
Ali’s Grandparents William and Sophie Niemeier of Minnesota. This week I had a chance to talk to Ali Selim, award-winning director of Sweet Land, and we chatted about his immigrant parents, the power of memories and some of the terrific actors that he features in the film.
Ali Selim, Director When you're done listening to the audio podcast, you can watch the Videocast below. Just double click on the Play button. |
Fri, 12 October 2007 Video Cast: An interview with the award-winning director of the film Sweet Land, Ali Selim. Sweet Land is a story about family history, focusing on Norwegian immigrants in Minnesota circa 1920. If you love historical fiction, and quiet thoughtful movies that you can watch with your entire family, then this is the videocast for you. Sweet Land
P.S. Rather read? Try Sweet Land: New & Selected Stories
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Sun, 7 October 2007 Episode 29 SHOW NOTES GEM: Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation I had the opportunity to talk with Anna Swayne of the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation recently. Listen as we walk through this emerging area of genealogy step-by-step and get a solid overview of how DNA testing can assist us in our family history research. Suggested Reading: DNA & Genealogy USA TODAY article - SMGF's founder, James LeVoy Sorenson, was featured in a USA Today article in June. The article focuses on Mr. Sorenson's work in genetic genealogy as well as his other companies. Free Genealogy Gems Newsletter: Send an email with your name, state or country and how you heard about the podcast, and I'll get the Oct issue out to you right away, and you"ll be all set to receive each monthly issue. Check out what’s new at the Genealogy Gems Website
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Tue, 2 October 2007 Episode 28 Show Notes The first Genealogy Gems videocast was published last week: The Socks to America. It's available through iTunes where you can download it to your video iPod. Now's the time to subscribe to the FREE Genealogy Gems Podcast Newsletter! Logitech Webcam Anytime you access Amazon through the links on my website and purchase any item on the Amazon site, you are supporting this podcast which I really appreciate! Thanks to you guys I was able this week to double my podcast storage space which means I can create longer podcasts and also publish videocasts for you. I hope you'll keep this in mind as we approach the holidays and you start doing your Christmas shopping. It's because of you that the Genealogy Gems Podcast, website and videocasts are possible. Thank you! GEM: GENEALOGY "COLD CALLS� My Lady of the Telephone was performed by Joseph A. Phillips and chorus for Edison Records in 1915 Interview with Carolyn Ender from Texas who has conducted dozens of cold call research calls. 1) Identify the person you want to call 2) Locate the Person's Phone Number Anywho.com 3) Plan ahead Consider recording the conversation 4) Get up the “nerve� to call - Be prepared. Say to yourself: “I can do this. This is important�. Remember, all they can do is say “no thank you� 5) Introduce Yourself - Immediately identify yourself with first & last name & town. Indicate any family connection. Indicate who referred you to them. 6) Where to Begin - Talk about the family line you are researching 7) Reluctant Relatives - Share what you’ve learned. Share your own memories of a shared relative. Mention something of particular interest in the family tree that might pique their interest. Offer to mail them some information and call again once they’ve had a chance to look at it. 8) During the Call - Take notes during the phone call. Confirm information that you already have 9) When There’s No Answer - Leave a voice mail your name, number, why you’re calling, & offer to call back. 10) “Must Ask� Questions
11) Wrapping up the call - Thank them for their time. Ask for email address. Offer to give them your address and phone number. 12) Create Documentation Be sure to include the person's name, address, phone number and date of conversation. 14) Create a To Do List - Go through the notes you typed with a highlighter pen to mark items you will want to research further. 15) Follow-up Thank you card Birthday cards & Christmas card Follow up calls GEM: Sweet Land Click twice on the arrow to view movie clips
Enjoy! |
Tue, 25 September 2007 The First Genealogy Gems Videocast: The Socks to America.
This is the documentary spoof (or should I say "sockumentary") video about the immigration of the fictitious Sockish-Americans. Currently featured on Roots Television, the video is now available for FREE download onto your video ipod exclusively with this unique video podcast. Now you can "Sock It To Yourself" anytime you like!
The Socks to America Mugs: Immigration Story & I'm A Genealogist (Caution: Don't drink & watch the video at the same time as you will be in danger of laughing which causes spitting!) And the Poster... |
Sat, 22 September 2007 EPISODE 27 SHOW NOTES MAILBOX RE: WorldVitalRecords - All "Recently Added Databases� on the site are offered for 10 days free when they are added. A quick way to find keywords on a webpage such as the databases listed on World Vital Records is to use the “Find on this page� Function of Internet Explorer:
RE: Judy Gorman's email: Socks to America Video Rootstelevision chose "The Socks to America" as their homepage video last weekend. It now appears on their Roots Living Channel and Roots Tube channel. Sock it to Me! Express your Sockish-American side with Socks to America Posters and Mugs! They would make hillarious holiday presents for your fellow genealogists.   Many listeners burn the podcast to CD for listening away from their computer, and I think donating them to your local genealogy society after you are done with them is a great idea. Here is a link to an official Genealogy Gems Podcast CD Label. It's formatted specifically for CD Stomper Label System Genealogy Societies are also welcome to use excerpts from my newsletter in their society newsletter when they include the following author credit "by Lisa L. Cooke, The Genealogy Gems Podcast at www.genealogygems.TV". GEM: Interview with DearMYRTLE - |
Mon, 10 September 2007 EPISODE 26 SHOW NOTES I'll be at the Northern Utah Genealogy Jamboree in Ogden this Saturday September 15, 2007. Booth #302. (Listen to Episode 25) Gem: Organizing Your Internet Favorite Bookmarks
A more comprehensive organization strategy: Within the GENEALOGY folder you could have: Blogs
To Alphabetize Your Favorites:
And all your folders will snap back into alphabetical order. Be sure and subscribe to the free Genealogy Gems Podcast Newsletter...Coming in the October edition: yet another way to use your iPod as a family history tool. Go to the Newsletter page and send an email to subscribe. Announcing the premiere of the newest Genealogy Gems Production: The Socks to America. This video is a documentary spoof (a la Ken Burns) chronicling the immigration of the fictitious "Sockish" people (aka Sock Puppets). I invite Genealogists & Historians alike to sit back and enjoy a chuckle at our favorite pastime. |
Tue, 4 September 2007 Book Announcement: Genealogy Gems: Ultimate Research Strategies from Season One of the Genealogy Gems Podcast is finished and available online through Lulu Publishing.
It is jammed packed with genealogical gems that you can use straight from the book, or as you listen along to the podcast at GenealogyGems.tv. It was really important to me that the book be able to stand alone as a resource tool in addition to being a companion manual to the first twenty episodes of the podcast. You will find everything written out in step-by-step instructions, plus lots of photos, as well as many things that I never got a chance to talk about on the podcast or include in the newsletter. Lulu is very cool because you can preview several pages of the book. It's very safe and secure to order with them online. Shipping hint: When you're checking out the shipping will automatically show as Priority Mail. If you’re not in a huge hurry, use the drop down menu and select media mail - it’s much less expensive. It usually takes about a week to receive Media Mail. I hope to see you at the Northern Utah Genealogy & Family Heritage Jamboree at the Marriott Hotel, in Ogden on Saturday, September 15, 2007. I will be in Booth 302 in the Exhibition Hall. Stop by and say hello. For more information or to register online visit the My Ancestors Found website. Newspapers: The Genealogy database site World Vital Records is providing "increased access� to the collection of NewspaperArchive.com database. The first release of the NewspaperArchive.com data (40 million records ranging from 1759 to 1923) went up Aug. 27, 2007. And World Vital Records is giving 10 days of free access to these new additions BROWSE Gem: Some newspapers carry a history section or a 'looking back’ column where they run old articles. World Vital Records only had a sampling of years from the past newspapers that are digitized. But the columns like “Twice Told Tales� that can be found in more recent newspapers, may include articles about the family that the website didn’t have the originals of. So don’t dismiss those new issues – you may find some real gems! To view a sample back issue of the newsletter CLICK HERE To subscribe to the Genealogy Gems Podcast Newsletter CLICK HERE. The newsletter is absolutely free. Just type the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line of the email, & send your name, and how you first heard about the podcast. You’ll get the current issue and as a special bonus, an email giving you access to the “This Week’s Genealogy Gem� Google gadget. (see Episode 15) I know you’ll enjoy it. So be sure to sign up today. |
Sun, 26 August 2007 SHOW NOTES Episode 24The National Archives and Records Administration has taken the leap and raised their record reproduction fees. The new fees don’t become effective until October 1, 2007, so you’ve go a window of opportunity to order records at the old lower prices. Presidential Archives Uncovered. KodakGallery - Create a Family History Calendar. Consider highlighting an ancestor each month. It would make a wonderful holiday gift. Save 25% off calendars with coupon code SCHOOLCAL at Kodak Gallery My NEW book Genealogy Gems – Ultimate Research Strategies from Season One of the Genealogy Gems Podcast will be out VERY soon,. It will include step by step details from everything covered in Episodes 1 through 20. Check the website often for the official publish date. Correction: The title of the book I mentioned in Episode 19 called Papa’s Way is incorrect. The title of the book by Thyra Ferre Bjorn is Papa’s Wife. Here’s another Swedish Book recommendation that I received from Anna-karin Shander who lives in Sweden and is host of Anna-Karin’s Genealogical Podcast. The book is called The Emigrants – The Emigrant Novels Book 1 by Wilhelm Moberg. ordered my copy. With Fall coming, doesn’t it sound wonderful to curl up on the couch with some hot coffee and a novel called “The Emigrants�? The Emigrants by Wilhelm Moberg GEMS: A tour of Genealogy Gems TV In Episode 24 I take you on a tour of the new videos on the Genealogy Gems TV webpage. Click on the VIDEOS button or on the Genealogy Gems TV icon in the top right corner of the home page to check out all the new videos. Comedies Research Attention Podcast Listeners: Take a picture of yourself listening on your computer or listening to the podcast on your ipod and email it to me at genealogygemspodcast@gmail.com. You can make it funny, make it serious, you can hold up a sign saying that you’re listening to the show or what you think of it. Whatever you want to do is fine with me. Include your name and let me know in the email if it’s ok to use or not. You may find your photo on the upcoming Listeners page where I can show off my awesome audience. |
Sun, 19 August 2007 Episode 23 SHOW NOTES The Mailbox: According to alert listener Richard Yehle, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests can receive acknowledgement letters from the US Dept. of Homeland Security / US Citizen and Immigration Services in just two weeks. Richard's requests were placed on a speedier "simple track.� This means that response time has been drastically cut from the six months it took me to receive answers about 5 years ago. This is good news for genealogists! Better yet, you now have the option of requesting a CD with pdf file, instead of paper files, if the number of pages is over 15. We"re all waiting with bated breath to hear back from Richard when he receives the final results from his request for his great grandfather’s records. GEM: Follow up - Using Your Video iPod As A Genealogy Tool Proactive listener Donna wrote this week to ask what the best format and resolution was for saving pictures to be viewed on the Video iPod For photos to be viewed on a television screen, save them as JPEG files at 300 dpi resolution. For photos strictly viewed on your iPod, resize them to reduce their ipod storage requirements. Here’s how: To Reduce Image Size:
I was able to reduce my original 1.24 MB photo to just 141 KB. This saves LOTS of room on your iPod! Supply Checklist Photo Slideshow Troubleshooting Checklist
GEM: Home Movie Hint Please permit me to share a suggestion you may find useful... I recently took a number of old movie reels (from the 1940s) out to be transferred to DVD, as I'd long intended to do. Regarding Brick Walls: If you’re ready to give up you’re probably closer than you think. Or as they said in Galaxy Quest: “Never Give Up, Never Surrender!� |
Sun, 12 August 2007 SHOW NOTES August 12, 2007 THE MAILBOX When my grandmother had to downsize and move into an assisted living facility, my aunt stumbled upon a beautiful silk baby dress and a pair of leather button-up baby shoes that had belonged to my grandmother. She had these framed for me along with a photograph of my grandmother on her 1st birthday wearing them! She gave the finished product to me because she knew how much I am fascinated by our family's history. Sincerely, Diana Larson�
Email from Barbara Murphy, NY: Anna-Karin's Swedish Genealogical Podcast Use the time while you"re downloading podcasts to make a few entries into a memory book! That’s a gem of an idea! GEM: Turn Your Video iPod MicroMemo High-Fidelity Digital Audio Recorder for the Video iPod by XtremeMac The Micro memo snaps easily into the connector at the base of the video ipod. It has a flexible microphone and built in speaker. When you plug it into your ipod it automatically puts your ipod in Voice Memo mode with the option to start recording. How To Record
How To Download Recordings to Your Computer
How Two Use Two Desktop Microphones For An Interview
How To Record With An External Microphone Or Other Source In Stereo
How To Load Images Onto Your Video iPod:
ITunes has now copied all of the photos from that folder onto your iPod. You’ll see that happening in the box at the top of the Itunes screen. How To View Your Images On Your iPod
How To View Your iPod Photos And Videos On Your Television
How To Create A Photo Slideshows In Your iPod
So now you can gather the family around the television set and share your photos, and videos in big, living color with your Video iPod I hope if you do purchase any of the items I mentioned today, you’ll do it through the links on my website. The links simply tell the vendor who referred you. The price is the same and your personal information goes ONLY to the vendor. By purchasing through my website link, you help support this podcast and defer the production costs. So we all win. Your iPod is fun AND hard working. Happy listening AND viewing!! |
Sun, 5 August 2007 SHOW NOTES Episode: # 21 August 5, 2007 Genealogy Reviews Online blog: Genealogy Gems - You've Got to Check this One Out. Lisa's Movie Pick: Full of Life (1957). It's a really heartwarming movie about immigrants and their American born children that you can watch comfortably with your kids and your grandkids. The novel by John Fante is still available: Full of Life by John Fante GEM: Freedom of Information Act Follow Up Email from Richard Hrazanek: "I loved the tip about requesting your ancestor's immigration file through the Freedom of Information Act. Do you know if you can do the same thing with a person's military record.� FOIA can assist you in obtaining military records. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press Website article: How to use the Freedom of Information Act. Rod Powers of About.com does a great job outlining how to obtain military records The National Archives website article: Access to Military Records by the General Public, including genealogists who are not next-of-kin Timothy E. Blaise’ website devoted to the 4th Infantry Division 224th Infantry Regiment Company "D" which his uncle served in. Timothy outlines his experience with obtaining military records. GEM: Thanks for the Memories Get a piece of paper or pull up a word document. Close your eyes for a second, and visualize a favorite memory from your childhood. In my case I started with a favorite place, my maternal grandma’s house. But perhaps yours is the back alley where you and your friends played baseball, or your great uncle's garage where he showed you how to work on cars. Whatever is meaningful to you. Now, open your eyes, and write your thoughts one at a time. Just free flow it. They don’t have to be complete sentences. Later you can try your hand at writing more of your actual experiences or memories of a person. Again, it doesn’t have to be a novel or sound really professional. It’s just the memories from you heart. Tie together this gem with episode 20’s Sweet Memories gem where we made a family history chocolate bar label for a candy bar that could be tucked in a Christmas Stocking as a gift. Replace the Ingredient’s list on the back label with a text box that includes these free flowing memories about the photo that appears on the front label. |
Wed, 25 July 2007 SHOW NOTES - Episode: # 20 - July 29, 2007 Book Recommendation: Home and Home Again by George and Helen Papashvily. GEM: German Homeland - Part 2 Here's a checklist of other types of records that might contain information about your ancestor"s home town.
Bremen Passenger Lists 1920 - 1939 Hamburg Emigration Lists - BallinStadt – Port of Dreams Hamburg Passenger Lists, 1872 A research outline from FamilySearch for Hamburg Passenger Lists, 1850-1934 Look sideways, at brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, even friends. If you can determine where one of them was born, you will have an EXCELLENT place to look in Germany for your ancestors! In addition, determine if your ancestors had traveling companions on their way to America and look into their backgrounds. Go back to the census and check out your ancestors first recorded American neighborhood. Where were their neighbors from? Folks often settled near family and friends from the old country. The Freedom of Information Act… is a federal statute that allows any person the right to obtain federal agency records unless the records (or part of the records) are protected from disclosure by any of the nine exemptions in the law. It can take up to six months to receive a reply. I've obtained two ancestor files so far, and both contained information and photographs that I had never seen before. No fees are required when you make the request. And the first 100 pages of copying and two hours of search time are free!
GEM: Christmas in July Sweet Memories Candy Bar Stocking Stuffers
First, you’ll need the following items:
Here’s how to create the label: Scan the photos you want to include on the label Open a new page in Microsoft Publisher Use the Rectangle Tool to create a 7 ¾� high x 5 ¾� wide rectangle Insert a background image using the INSERT IMAGE function, and then resize it to fit just over the rectangle. Another option is to select the rectangle, and use the FORMAT FILL COLOR function to color the box. Use INSERT IMAGE to add your photos, and resize them to fit. Measure down 2� from the top of the label, and that’s where the top of the front side photo is placed. Set it ¼� from the left edge. The backside photo should begin 5� from the top of the label, and be set ¼� from the left edge.
Insert the text boxes. The "Sweet Memories� and Ingredients text boxes are about 3� wide and 1 1/4� high. Format with the borders and colors that you want. Reflect your own family values in the Ingredients list. To Print: From the menu, click FILE then PRINT and then click the PROPERTIES button. From this window select “high resolution paper’ or “High Brightness� as the Media Type, and select HIGH for the Print Quality to get the bestlooking label. Print the label & cut out carefully. Folding guidelines: The first fold line is 1 ½� from the top of the label, and the second fold line is 4 ¼� from the top of the label. Use a small piece of double sided tape to stick the label to itself on the backside snugly. Now you have your own custom family history themed chocolate bar ready to tuck in Christmas stockings this year. They’re guaranteed to put smiles on everyone’s face on Christmas morning, and hopefully inspire a bit of curiosity about the family tree. August Episodes - In order to get the book finished and prepare for some exciting new episodes for Season Two I’m not going to make any promises about how often new episodes will be published in August of 2007. However, I will be putting out a couple of new podcasts as well as doing some blogging on the website so check back often. Music courtesy of UC Santa Barbara: Deutschlands Ruhm performed by the Johann Strauss Orchestera for Edison Records in 1913. Homeland, sung by the soprano Elizabeth Spencer, recorded by Edison records in 1911 |
Sun, 15 July 2007 SHOW NOTES July 15, 2007 GEM: A Long Look Sideways Have you ever heard the piece of genealogical advice that says if you get stuck with your own ancestor, look sideways - at their siblings, aunts and uncles? Well in this episode we stretch this idea even further by looking at folks who aren't even related to us in order to get a clearer view of our ancestor"s lives. EXAMPLE Here’s a list of books that I’ve found that are about specific locations and experiences that apply to my ancestors:
Places to find old or out of print books: Ebay.com, Amazon.com, Google Search, Garage Sales GEM: Finding Your German Ancestor’s Town of Origin A little German village can seem like a needle in a haystack when you’re starting with ancestors who made it to the shores of America. But once you’ve found that gem, it will open up all kinds of records from their native land, and likely take you back several more generations. There are three important pieces to this Ancestral puzzle:
First step: find them in the most recent census and work backwards. Look for immigration information. The naturalization process created a lot of paperwork, and in that paper work your ancestors were asked for specific information about where they were born, where they immigrated from, the ship they traveled on, and when they arrived in America. Naturalization was applied for at the county courthouse in most cases. Try the free GenWeb website http://http://usgenweb.com/ for the county where you think your ancestor’s applied for citizenship to see what resources they have available. Also, look up the county courthouse online for records and contact information. Declarations of Intent: The first document filed for citizenship The more recent the naturalization, the more likely you will find listed the place of birth, date of emigration and the ship on which they sailed. Brush up on your German border history. Most recent border changes occurred in 1945 and 1871. Wikipedia Consult a gazetteer at the library or online, and look up the town. This should indicate the parish and Kreis. Check familysearch.org: Enter the last name, and the country as Germany to see if people with the same last name are listed in the same location you have pinpointed in Germany. Also, Search PLACE under the Family History Library link to find out what records they hold for that village. Suggestion: Put the village name in the first field and the kreis in the second. Next, Timelines are a great tool for seeing the bigger picture and determining how the little bits of information fall within it. One of my favorite German sites is Genealogy.net German Genealogy website http://www.genealogienetz.de/reg/ger1871.htm Email me & Visit the complete website at genealogygems.tv |
Sun, 8 July 2007
SHOW NOTES July 8, 2007 In addition to this Genealogy Gems Podcast website, I've launched the new website at Genealogygems.tv From the Homepage of the GenealogyGems.tv website click on the TV set on the right side of the page to go to the Genealogy Gems TV page where you can watch my "Our Summer Vacation" video that just took 2nd place in the Rootstelevision.com Wild Roots Contest. GEM: Colorado History The song That Railroad Rag performed by Edward Meeker.is an Edison Recording from 1912, Courtesy of the University of California, Santa Barbara Georgetown Loop Railroad website Colorado State Archives Website GEM: Vehicular Forensics
Applying your own CSI "Alternative Light Source" to reveal the license plate number on an a car in an old photo.
Compare the plate with plated found on LicensePlates.TV Check the state's Department of Motor Vehicles website for license history Try the state's archive website online catalog for 'motor vehicle records' Paul Young Willys Overland Knight Registry website Book Alert: No more note taking required! My new book The Comprehensive Guide to Season One of the Genealogy Gems Podcast -The First Twenty Episodes is set for publication in August / September 2007. Subscribe to the newsletter for special notification. Ragtime music courtesy of Frederick Hodges |
Sun, 24 June 2007
NOTE: Though I mentioned in this week's podcast that the new website is up and running, there have been some problems with coordinating it with itunes. So in order to get this podcast to you in itunes, I've delayed the launch of the website. Thanks for your patience. I highly recommend that you subscribe to the newsletter as this is the email list I will use to listeners if it turns out that I must move my podcast feed. Saw the movie "Waitress" this week. Nothing to do with genealogy, but boy it was one terrific movie and I can't recommend it enough. If nothing else, seeing Andy Griffith again in a movie was worth the price of admission. But it"s also a great story done in a really fresh way. http://www.foxsearchlight.com/waitress/ GEM: A Few Gems From The Great White North - Canadian Research The song O Canada courtesy of the University of California, Santa Barabara The Library & Archives Canada GEM: Searching with Synonyms in Google Place a tilde (~) character directly in front of the relevant keyword in the search box. For example, a search for "burket ~genealogy" would not only bring up sites that include 'burket and genealogy," but also "burket and family history," or "burket and family tree" Coming Soon: The Comprehensive Guide to Season One of the Genealogy Gems Podcast - the First Twenty Episodes. So don't worry about extensive notetaking while you listen to the podcast. Hopefully by September you will have everything at your fingertips in this new book which will be available through the Genealogy Gems Podcast website Store page. |
Sun, 17 June 2007
GEM: Genealogy Play Day! SONG: Ev'rything's funny to me performed by Sallie Stembler. Interesting and Fun Genealogy Aids Legends , Lies & Cherished Myths of World History Ragtime Music courtesy of Frederick Hodges Music Visit his website at Frederickhodges.com Songs are from the album: Picnics. Song: I think I hear a woodpecker knocking at my family tree performed by Edward M. Favor. Issue by Edison Standard Record, 1910 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: No more note taking required! My new book The Comprehensive Guide to Season One of the Genealogy Gems Podcast - The First Twenty Episodes is set for publication in August / September 2007. Subscribe to the newsletter for special notification, or check back to this website often for more details. Email me with questions or comments |
Sun, 10 June 2007
GEM I Love to iGoogle & You Will Too! Create An Account Go to: https://www.google.com/accounts/ManageAccount How to Add an rss Feed Gadget for this Podcast BONUS: I have created a special gadget just for you called This Week's Genealogy Gem. I will be emailing all of my newsletter subscribers an invitation to add the Genealogy Gem gadget to your igoogle homepage. If you have an itunes account & are enjoying the podcast, please click this ITUNES REVIEW LINK and leave a positive review in Itunes. Thanks for your support! |
Sun, 3 June 2007
Ancestry.com U.S. Military Collection Free through D-DAY JUNE 6, 2007 The collection because it contains the 267 issues motion picture newsreels called The United News produced by the U.S. Office of War Information during World War II. GEM: A New View On Family History - Exploring Silent Movies The people who performed in the silent movies were viewed intently by your ancestors. They took in their hairstyles, decorating, morality, etc.This podcast includes an interview with Sam Gill, Archivist of the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, and retired archivist for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences in Hollywood. Sources for Silent Movies Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum (& Edison Theater) 37417 Niles Blvd, Niles, CA The Picture Show Man Website (click festivals & events and search by State). The Stanford Theater (Palo Alto, CA). The Silent Movie Theater (Los Angeles, CA) Netlfix: They have an INCREDIBLE catalog of hard to find silent films. (as well as all their other movies & TV shows totaling over 75,000 titiles) Mailing is very fast, and convenient (they provide postage paid envelopes & no driving!) The low cost per rental makes it a hard to beat - $4.99 a month gets you 2 movies (just $2.50 each). And for $9.99 you can get an unlimited number of movies (one at a time). If you watch 2 a week that's just $1.25 each! I've become a huge Netflix fan - I LOVE it!
Recommendations To Get You Started: Mary Pickford in Daddy Long Legs Turner Classic Movies (TCM) Amazon EBAY My Grandma's Diary Entry for Friday, Nov. 2, 1930 |
Sun, 27 May 2007 The next episode of the podcast will be published on Sunday, June 3, 2007. This week I'm on a very special assignment - being mother of the bride! However, next week's episode is going to be "supersized" (over 40 min.) and on a very special topic that I believe will bring your family history into clearer view. In the meantime, sign up for the Genealogy Gems Podcast Newsletter by CLICKING HERE & sending an email with "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line & include your name, state and how you first heard about the podcast. The June issue is about to be published & you won't want to miss it! Talk to you soon, Lisa Category: News Alerts - Great Stuff -- posted at: 11:00 AM |
Sun, 20 May 2007
Ragtime music is by the talented Frederick Hodges From the MAILBOX GEM #1 - Memorial Day - WW II Service Records Music courtesy of the University of Santa Barbara Library featuring the Chorus of Male Voices singing U.S. Army Camp Songs, an Edison recording from 1918 Two free must check websites: #1 NARA (The National Archives and Records Administration) Search the WWII enlistment records and prisoner of War records at archives.gov/aad #2 Search for soldiers traveling overseas or returning home after the war with Steve Morse's All New York Arrivals Search form http://stevemorse.org/ellis/passengers.php?mode=ny For more information & historical background on Memorial Day: GEM #2 Publish Your Own Family History Book My videos A Nurse In Training Part 1 & Part 2 can be seen at Rootstelevision.com on their RootsTube channel (See Episode 5 of the Genealogy Gems Podcast) The video was taken from a book that I self published. Books are still hard to beat for telling a story in words and pictures in an extremely easy to use way. My Top Six Tips For Making Your Book Fascinating to Your Reader: #1 The book should convey an overall theme I create my books in the Kodakgallery. There are several websites out there offering the ability to publish your own book. I chose Kodakgallery because it was easy to use, price competitive, FAST publishing & shipping, and Excellent quality. For my Family History Books I use:
I'm going to walk you through the steps of setting up a book in Kodak Gallery because it's a resource I feel very comfortable recommending. If you decide to use Kodak, I really appreciate you accessing it through this link because it will help support the production & costs associated with producing this podcast.
A Nurse In Training
Remember, your research CAN be fascinating and understandable to others in your family. It just takes a little creativity and effort. What good is it sitting on a shelf? Don't wait until your DONE with your research. It'll never happen! Start putting pieces of your family history directly into your family's hands with a beautiful family history book. You can email me with comments & questions. |
Sun, 13 May 2007 Type SUBSCRIBE in the email subject line, and include your name, state & how you heard about the podcast in the email. Happy Mother's Day! News: If you'd like to see me being silly on the world wide web check out Rootstelevision.com & watch my video called Our Summer Vacation. TODAY'S GEM - High School Graduation
Check your genealogy database to figure out when your ancestor would have attended school. I am going to be focusing on high school, but this could just as easily apply to researching the college years. 2. Family Papers & Books We always start our research at home, so go through old family papers & books looking for Senior Calling Cards, High School Autograph Books, Journals & Diaries, Senior Portraits, & Yearbooks
Senior Calling Card from 1930 Yearbook Entry from 1930 3. Newspapers Search for announcements, honor rolls & other articles about end of the year activities . It is easy to say search newspapers, but it's not always that easy to find them. So here are some ideas of where to look for historical newspapers...
4. The State Library 5. State Historical Societies 6. Rootsweb.com 7. Websites focused on Yearbooks 9. Call the School 10. EBAY Don't be afraid to ask...Ebay sellers want to sell! And if all else fails, set up an Ebay Favorite Search to keep a look out for you. Go to my website and check out Episode #3 for instructions on how to do this. SPECIAL NOTE: As a special bonus for newsletter subscribers, I will be including a customized form just for researching your ancestor's high school years with the June 2007 newsletter. It's a great little tool that I use all the time and it's a thank you gift to my subscriber family. If you haven't subscribed to the free newsletter yet, go to the top of these show notes & you'll see a red arrow pointing you to click on the email link to sign up. Type the word SUBSCRIBE in the email subject line, and send me your name, state, and how you heard about the podcast. And as always, you can email me at genealogygemspodcast@gmail.com with comments & questions. |
Sun, 6 May 2007  CLICK HERE In the email subject line type: SUBSCRIBE send your name, state & how you heard about the podcast
GEM #1: Discover Pictures from the Past with Google
Now you are looking at a cache version, or in other words an older version of the website, hopefully before the image was removed or moved. By browsing through this version of the website, you will hopefully find the image you are looking for! GEM #2: Mother's Day Project: Decopage Plate (The song "M-o-t-h-e-r" is a 1916 Edison recording. Courtesy of U of C, Santa Barbara.) The supplies:
Play with laying out your design to fit the plate. When applying the cutouts, you'll be working in reverse: the first images placed on the plate will be in the foreground of the design when viewed from the front of the plate. Start by applying the decoupage medium to the RIGHT SIDE of the first image. Don't worry about brush strokes, but be careful not to go over it too many times, you don't want the ink to smear. Glue the edges firmly to the glass. Turn the plate over to check the placement of images. Adjust as needed. When you have the photo placed where you want it, spread the glue over the back of the photo as well. Turn the plate around so you can see the image from the front and work out the air bubbles from behind. Continue placing the images until the entire plate is covered. Let it dry. Use painters tape to tape off the edges before you apply the acrylic paint to the back of the plate. Let dry. Apply a second coat, or sponge on a second color if you want to. Let dry. If you want a glossy finish on the back, apply an acrylic varnish. Email me with comments & questions. |
Tue, 1 May 2007 |
Sun, 22 April 2007  SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER SHOW NOTES April 22, 2007 Announcing the NEW Genealogy Gems Podcast Newsletter... To Subscribe: Send an email In the Subject Line of the email type the word: SUBSCRIBE In the body of the email:
You will receive a monthly newsletter by email which will include:
The newsletter is going to be an integral part of the podcast, so don't miss it. And it's free, so what could be better? Click on the SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER link today to get started. |
Sun, 15 April 2007
; Check out your ancestor's tax records using the links at Cyndislist GEM #1: Great San Francisco Earthquake "Hello, Frisco" by Harvey Hindermeyer courtesy of U of Cal, Santa Barbara Library Below: C. A. Burkett (on left) c. 1906
The Virtual Museum of the city of SF Remembering the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake an audio recording by NPR. The San Francisco 1906 Earthquake Great Register BOOK: Denial of Disaster: The Untold Story and Photographs of the San Francisco Earthquake
San Francisco 1906 Earthquake Marriage Project by sfgenealogy.com GEM #2 Shake Up Your Research Stategy Step 1: Locate the event on a Timeline History.com This Day In History Step 2: Internet Searches
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Sat, 7 April 2007  SHOW NOTES - April 8, 2007
Article by Cynthia G. Fox Income Tax Records of the Civil War Years. GEM #1: Anna-Karinâ's Genealogical Podcast GEM #2: Civil War Research (The song Battle of Manasas courtesy of University of California, Santa Barbara Library. Sam Houston portrayed by Roger Koehn.) The Civil War began at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, SC 146 years ago this week on April 12. The Historical New York Times Project - The Civil War Years 1860-1866 Civil War Soldiers & Sailors System Website GEM #3 - Surname Tools Germany Surname Mapping: Geogen For British Surnames: The Orange Hedgehog Surname Profiler Email me with comments, questions or suggestions. Be sure & let me know what state you're from, and how you heard about the podcast. |
Sun, 1 April 2007
350 Years of American Jewish History JewishGen The Home of Jewish Genealogy Calling all videos: Have you found a great genealogy related video on YouTube.com, or did you add a family history video of your own? Then email me and tell me about your gem. Be sure to include a link to the video. GEM: Cast a Shadow on Your Ancestors In episode #5 (below) I talked about adding silhouettes to the database file of an ancestor when you don't have a photo.Creating your own silhouettes:
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Sun, 25 March 2007
Irish Roots Caf�© : http://www.irishroots.com NEW: Voice Mail Box
GEM #1: You Tube Follow Up Bill Puller of the Genealogy Tech Podcast was a real gem for teaming up with me last week on how to use the YouTube website - Thanks Bill! Click this link YouTube.com, and search "Genealogy Gems" to find my two new videos: "A Nurse In Training Part 1" & "A Nurse In Training Part 2". GEM: Bring Sites Back From the Dead with Google After pulling up an error page in Google:
The Wayback Machine (http://www.archive.org/web/web.php) GEM: Spice up your database When you don't have an ancestors photo, find something that represents what you do know about that person. It really does help you see them more as a person and less as an entry in your database. Email me with comments & questions My Odeo Channel (odeo/cd49194c34ae1437) |
Fri, 16 March 2007  Episode: # 4 Show Notes I'm excited to announce a new collaborative effort with the Genealogy Tech Podcast, but first... HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY A Tribute to My Irish Roots...
Margaret (nee Scully) Lynch Born July 17, 1839 in Limerick, Ireland Find your Irish ancestors now with this book: "In Search" will take you step by step back to Britain and Ireland. From the MAILBOX: For those of you new to Genealogy, Kay has a great posting about getting started. Another Amateur Genealogist DVD Gem: Berkeley Square - My oldest daughter and I have been glued to this DVD since we started it. We are both HUGE Pride & Prejudice fans (The A&E version) and are thrilled to find a serial of the same caliber. Each episode of the 10 episodes is packed with romance, intrigue, and plot twists that have kept us glued to the couch. GEM #1: YouTube.com I'm pleased to announce that the Genealogy Gems Podcast and The Genealogy Tech Podcast (GTP) are joining forces to bring the power of YouTube.com to you. In this episode, I'm covering how to find those video gems that will compliment your family history research. In episode 009 of the GTP, Bill Puller will be covering some of the technical details on how to use the site and upload your own famiy history videos. We want you to get the most out of YouTube! The site lends itself beautifully to family history research by offering a method for finding & sharing videos pertaining to your family and research. To become a Free member:
Caution: Be aware that there is objectionable content on Youtube. East Prussia Video... South east england old film A film made up of very old footage from the 1920s offering a tour of Margate, England and surrounding villages... To view the videos in my playlist on YouTube.com, type GENEALOGYGEMS in the search box, & click SEARCH. You'll get a "No results found" message, but just go over to the left side and click PLAYLISTS. Then just click on the link. Be sure to tune into the Genealogy Tech Podcast Episode #09 for great how-to info on uploading your own Family History Videos to YouTube! GEM #2: Correspondence Logs Here is a Correspondence Log Template for you to use.
I'd love to hear from you - Email me with comments & questions. I read every email. |
Wed, 14 March 2007 What is a podcast?Podcasting, a word combining a reference to Apple's "iPod" and "broadcasting", is a method of publishing audio files to the Internet, and allowing folks like you to subscribe (usually free) so you can receive new shows automatically. (More on how to do that below) It first became popular in late 2004, and has grown tremendously in popularity since then. The beauty of a podcast show is that, unlike a radio show, you can listen whenever and wherever you want to. And if you miss something good, you can rewind and go over it again. It puts you in control of your listening while getting current and useful information on exactly what you want to hear about - which is of course GENEALOGY! Does it cost money to subscribe the Genealogy Gems Podcast? Nope - It's absolutely FREE! What’s the Genealogy Gems Podcast about? My goal is to provide folks who are researching their family history with nuggets of inspiration and innovation to help them get the most of out their research time. Episodes are published on a weekly basis, and run from approximately 25 minutes long. Show Notes with "how to" info, photos, and reliable resources are also published weekly at www.genealogygemspodcast.com. So how do I subscribe to the Genealogy Gems Podcast? If you don’t already have itunes installed on your computer …
Now you’re ready to subscribe to Genealogy Gems Podcast…
The podcast will automatically load into the Podcasts section of your itunes Library. You will now receive new episodes whenever they are published, & be able to listen to them in itunes anytime you want! Do I have to have an ipod to listen? Absolutely not. You have lots of options to listen, but here are the easiest: In Itunes (where you have subscribed to this podcast. See "How do I subscribe" FAQ above.)
On this website - just click the media player in the upper right corner of each show. Of course I love using my ipod to listen whenever and wherever I want. I just plug it into my computer's USB plug, open up itunes and itunes automatically loads my ipod with new episodes it has "caught" for me since the last time I plugged it in. Hence the term "podcatcher"! How can I get started in researching my family tree? No point in reinventing the wheel here.Click on this link: A Guide to Research Comments[0] |
Sun, 11 March 2007
Before I get to the Episode #3 show notes (below), I want to be sure that folks new to podcasting know How to Subscribe to this podcast for FREE: If you don't already have itunes installed on your computer...
Now you're ready to subscribe to Genealogy Gems Podcast...
The podcast will automatically load into the Podcasts section of your itunes library. You will now receive new episodes whenever they are published, & be able to listen to them in itunes anytime you want! GEM: GOOGLE ALERTS & EBAY FAVORITE SEARCHES (what I refer to as Ebay Alerts) GOOGLE ALERTS: Check out Bill Puller's podcast Episode #8 of the Genealogy Tech Podcast. You can create a thousand! (Idea: Start with those items you highlighted in your family journals (See episode #2 below) EBAY FAVORITE SEARCHES: Here's how to create a Favorite Search in Ebay...
You'll probably receive your first emails tomorrow morning! Examples:
San Joaquin Cotton Oil bale of cotton...
Here's a link to my current Ebay listings GEM: FAMILY HISTORY DISPLAYS Shadow Box...
Wall Display...
I'd love to hear from you! Email me with comments & questions. |
Mon, 5 March 2007
Start with what you know. Then talk to your oldest relatives first before you lose them.
Transcription is worth it! One of my inspirations: the autobiography of my husband's grandfather Raymond Harry Cooke born March 6, 1894 in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England. This journal led to the discovery of the following photograph... The Rose Theatre Staff in 1914 (Material courtesy of the City of Regina Archives":
Bottom left corner: Raymond Harry Cooke. To his upper right, Miss Belle Osborne. They later married, and remained so for over 50 years. Please email feedback and questions. I read every single email. And be sure to let me know how you heard about the podcast. |
Fri, 2 March 2007  Episode 01 February 25, 2007 by Lisa Louise Cooke My goal in creating this podcast is to provide you with inspiration and innovation to help you get the most of out your research time. There's never enough time to work on your family tree, is there? So when you have some precious moments to dig into your roots, you want to be mining gold nuggets, not dead ends. Genealogy Gem: Google.com allows you to restrict search results to a specific website. 1 - Go to your favorite genealogy website You will receive search results just like a regular Google search, except these results show only pages where your keyword appears in the website you chose to search, rather than every website on the internet! Believe me, once you use this gem, you will never go back to slogging through hundreds of pages that have nothing to do with your family. Try it today! I hope you'll subscribe to this podcast so you won't miss a single gem packed episode. Email me with feedback, suggestions, and questions. |
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Genealogy Gems Podcast - Your Family History Show Genealogy Gems Show Notes are listed backward from the most recently published podcast. For episodes published more than one month ago, scroll down this page & see ARCHIVES or type episode # / keyword in the SEARCH BOX (below right.)
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. It's a film about Norwegian immigrants in rural Minnesota following WWI. I feel so passionate about it not only because it’s about family history, but because it’s such a rare thing to find a gem like this that you can watch with your entire family.
SHOW NOTES June 24, 2007 
SHOW NOTES June 17, 2007 
SHOW NOTES - June 10, 2007 
SHOW NOTES May 20, 2007 
Only the Shadow Knows: Do you have any old family heirloom silhouettes from your family? 
Welcome! New to the podcast? I've left you a message on the website voice mail (right column). Just double click "Lisa" to listen. Then, start with the ARCHIVES link & Episode #1. To learn more about Podcasts and how to subscribe for FREE to the Genealogy Gems Podcast (so you'll catch every new episode!), click on the "Frequently Asked Questions" link in the right column to learn all you need to know. Now, for more info on Episode #05...
A big thanks to Bill Puller of the 
GEM: Transcription of Family Journals & Letters 
