Military records available

Did you happen to see the article in the Wednesday 11/7/2007 USA Today newspaper about the access to military records? I was talking to a 2nd cousin who mentioned this article to me. WOW! The National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis,MO has opened the vault up to over 6 million service records. Especially interesting to me are the files concerning World War II. I have been trying for several years to obtain my fathers' service records. Maybe, this will be path to take. Fortunately, he was in the Navy and his records should be there. There was a fire in 1973 that destroyed 80% of the Army records from Nov 1912 to Jan 1960 and 75% of Air Force records from 9/1947 to Jan 1964. Sadly, I would really love to have the records of my grandfather EF O'Neal. He was in the Army during World War I and I know very little about him. (He was the black sheep of the family.) From what I have read in the article, the existing records have a little of everyting photo negatives, unit assignments, education, and disciplinary actions. You have a couple of options to view the records. Visit the center in St. Louis, be sure to call for an appointment, write to the center or try the online service of vetrecs.archives.gov. If you would like to view the article that I have mentioned online, try this link. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-11-06-veterans-records_N.htm?csp=34&loc=interstitialskip

Visiting genealogy libraries

I was headed down to Colorado Springs,CO last week and did a little bit of research on one of their libraries. Did you know that the Pike's Peak Public Library has a genealogy special collections library? This is located in an old Carnegie library building and is fantastic. The upper level is all genealogy but the lower lever houses several World War I and II collections. Throughtout, this building are fabulous historical displays. On the second floor where the genealogy collection is housed, you are met with very stringent security. I was only allowed to take in a pencil, tablet and my laptop. NO zippered items. Bags, laptop bags, purses etc are not allowed. They even have little lockers for you to use that are locked for your security. I took off with my trusty list ( you know I did my research ahead of time?) I even had a personal assistant to help me. Love it when you train your kids to be able to navigate through the Dewey system!! With almost an hour to search, I came up empty handed again. Except for the fact that I got to visit an incredible library and scope out a few more volumes I hadn't had a chance to look at before. Just a word to the masses, be sure to list all the sources you have searched so you are not revisiting the same books again and again. (Unless you want to of course!)

Other informative genealogy blogs

Wow, after a busy weekend, it is nice to settle into the daily routine again. I attended the Cheyenne Genealogical Association convention last year and was delighted to attend a workshop by Dear Myrtle. If you are not familiar with her or her blog, you are missing out on wonderful instruction and enlightenment. Myrtle has been actively giving advice since 1995 and has been online since 1984!! I found her to be very easy to interact with and her advice was for all avenues of the genealogists attending the workshop. Look at her blog and let me know what you think. http://blog.dearmyrtle.com

Genetics and Genealogy

My curiousity is getting the best of me when it comes to the genetic testing for genealogy purposes. I've toyed with the idea about having the test done but....... I have several generations completed, including many "across the big pond." So why do the test? I have a friend in Albuquerque, NM who chose to have the test done through the National Geographic program (Genographic). https://www3.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/index.html His family history had always been referred to as Italian. He has a definite Italian name, but was just curious. So he takes the test and six weeks later he has his proof. Not only Italian but Sicilian. His results included a map of where his haplogroup originiated from. This map even showed the area in Sicily that his great-grandfather immigrated from in the late 1800's. That is so incredible! There are several genealogical sites out there will suggest companies that do the DNA testing besides the one I have mentioned. If you are interested in persuing this, try a Google search for "genealogy genetic testing." Several different companies will appear in your results. Remember to inquire into the crediblity of the company before you commit your credit card. Maybe I will treat myself to a little deep ancestral digging and have the test done. I'll be sure to fill you in on my results if I do.

Interesting aggregate genealogy website

While checking things out at the library last night, I realized that I hadn't perused the latest edition of "Internet Genealogy." If you are not familiar with this magazine, let me enlighten you. This high quality periodical is devoted to providing the reader with Internet genealogical sources both in the free and subscription based world wide web. At their website you can get a free download from a past issue on German research. What I really like about the magazine is the articles are varied and written for the average web surfer. One of the best links I have used out of the magazines is a site called "Linkpendium." This highly evolved website was developed by Karen Isaacson and Brian Leverich, founders of the extremely popular RootsWeb genealogical community site. Basically, it is one stop shopping for genealogical information. From the home page you can either select a region or alphabetical listing for a surname. For today let's use a region (Louisiana). This takes us directly to a listing of all Louisiana parishes and links to each one. For a quick search just type in the name of the parish or county and there you are. Give this site a try, since it is so very comprehensive and easy to use. http://www.linkpendium.com/ .

What is a third cousin twice removed??

Have you ever been referred to as a second or third cousin twice removed. Removed from what? I found out!!! It is in reference to you and your cousins or distant relatives and a common ancestor. Check out the link for relationships at the bottom of this blog to better understand the concept.

Do you get the Rootsweb weekly e-newsletter?

One of the things I look forward to each week is my Rootsweb Review newsletter. This is a free e-letter from Rootsweb.com. This newsletter is delightful and informative. One of the more interesting articles this week was about a "mysterious" genealogist that leaves messages in plastic sleeves by local graves. The messages contain information about the deceased person taken from censuses and other records. You can read the full story and watch a video at http:/tinyurl.com/3y5ksd .