​We’ve discussed in past blogs the importance of reviewing our old notes and documents for our family research. While most love the thrill of the chase, researching for new documents and exploring the web, we might be missing vital clues right in our own files. Let’s take a look.

​October is quite an impressive month with two genealogy recognitions:  Family History Month and German (American) Heritage Month. We often identify our immigrant ancestors as German even if they came from areas outside of what we identify as German borders today. And this is correct because often the borders were changing and so pockets of German speakers were in Poland, Austria, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, and other areas. They hadn’t moved but the wars and treaties had changed where they were living. Think how strange this would be for us today if suddenly Montana’s border extended into western North Dakota. There are many resources for your “German” research. Let’s look.

As we settle into the rhythm of Fall days—crisp mornings, warm afternoons, and shorter daylight hours, it is the perfect opportunity to think about how we can improve our research methods and explore new research tools and sites. For an additional excuse to immerse ourselves in genealogy (but really who needs an excuse!) October is Family History Month! Let’s take a look.

 I’ve been watching the recorded sessions from our 45th Family History Workshop and enjoyed the tips that Rick Crume, in his presentation “How to Organize Your Digital Files,” gave on labeling and identifying our digital records, photos and documents within our own files as well as when we share those online trees. By labeling items clearly and consistently this helps relatives and future researching understand what the record or photo is and why it is relevant. All of this made me think more about how to preserve the genealogy research that we have done when we are gone. While it is a slightly morbid thought, we all want to make sure that our meticulous work isn’t thrown out with the trash! Let’s look at ideas for preserving our genealogy research.

​September is here and I am happy to announce that the Heritage Education Commission is hosting our 45th Family History Workshop. We have great speakers lined up and the best part is you can enjoy this virtual conference from the comfort of your home.  Our main speaker Jill N. Crandall, MA, GA will be presenting live on September 18th.  If you can’t make that day, no worries.  All the sessions will be on demand for registrants through October 2021.  As cochair this year, I hope that you will enjoy this virtual workshop and find key information to help you with your family history.
 
To learn more and to register check out our website HEC Workshop General Info (heritageed.com)  It will be a fun event.  Hope you can make it! 

​Much like in the United States, early European settlements in Canada happened on the east and west coasts with Ontario as one of the target areas for settlement in mid-eighteen-hundreds.  And like in the United States, when new areas were opened for settlement, people moved further west into the prairie provinces of Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.  Let’s look at what is available for genealogical research in those areas.

BLOG – Happy Labor Day
 
Well summer is officially coming to an end with Labor Day Weekend.  Fall is my favorite season with the warm days and crisps nights. However, I am not in any hurry to have Winter arrive!  As you salute the last days of summer with family and friends, here are few links about the history of Labor Day.  Surprisingly the first Labor Day was observed in 1887 while Congress didn’t pass a bill to make it official until 1894.  I wonder what our farmer ancestors thought…did they take a holiday from chores?  Their milk cows may have had a say on what work got done.  Enjoy!
 
History of Labor Day | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)
 
What Is Labor Day? History and Meaning • FamilySearch
 
10 Labor Day Facts Everyone Should Know - Labor Day Trivia, Facts, and History (goodhousekeeping.com)
 
Labor Day - Wikipedia

Have you thought about capturing medical history for your ancestors? A cousin recently contacted me to ask about our family’s medical history…cancer occurrence within our aunts, uncles, and cousins.  As I was compiling a list, it made me think how this disease impacted so many lives.  As medicine advances, more people can beat the odds, but it is still a dreaded disease.  As genealogists, we seem to be the keepers of family information, including those related to illnesses and death.  Let’s look at ways that we can capture this information for others.

The Library and Archives Canada (LAC) has likely been a “go to” place for you if you have Canadian ancestors.  They have a wealth of information.  Some online while others to be researched in person.  This past year plus has been challenging for many, including an institution such as this.  They are in the process of revamping their website and have introduced podcasts to help us discover interesting treasures in their collections.  Let’s look.

​A well-loved Aunt celebrated her 85th birthday recently and as part of her birthday gift, I decided to find her Danish mother’s birth record. Her mother came to the United States when she was only 9 months old with her parents, a sister, and a brother. They were the only ones from their family to travel to America. They were never to see their family in the old country again—an experience of many immigrants. As you know and have experienced yourself, we family historians cannot stop at just one name in our research! So, of course, I didn’t stop at just her mother’s generation. Instead, I went back a couple more generations in Denmark. This week let’s look at the Danish records available online.