Italian Naming Traditions

Naming patterns may provide important clues in family history research. People of all countries tend to name children after other family members, often using an unwritten, but traditional formula.

According to ItalianGenealogy.com Italian naming traditions are as follows:

"The first male is named after his paternal grandfather.
The second male is named after his maternal grandfather.
The first female is named after her paternal grandmother.
The second female is named after her maternal grandmother.

The subsequent children could be named after the parents, a favorite aunt or uncle, a saint or a deceased relative. You will see evidence of this tradition throughout your family tree. Although this custom is pervasive, you should never use this as a method for assuming an ancestor's name............................"

Continue reading more about this and other excellent Italian genealogy topics at ItalianGenealogy.com

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Lost Cousins - Free until 7 May 2007

If you are not already a member take a look at the Lost Cousins website.

As I was advised in an e mail ....

"To celebrate the 3rd Birthday of LostCousins on 1st May, the LostCousins site is COMPLETELY FREE until Monday 7th May.

This means that ALL members, including those who have free basic membership, will have subscriber privileges!"

Below is the basic information about the site as provided by Lost Cousins

"LostCousins is the ONLY family history site able to match you with others researching the same ancestors
AUTOMATICALLY - ACCURATELY - CONFIDENTIALLY

Just enter your ancestors and other relatives from the Canada 1881, British 1881 or US 1880 Census - then click the Search button!

Our automated matching is close to 100% accurate, so nobody else needs to see your information. And when you do find a 'lost cousin' you can be certain you're related!"

Take the opportunity of trying the site while it is free.

Old Photos of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and The British Isles

According to Old Photos of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and The British Isles:

"Launched in July 2006. The idea is to display as many old photographs as we can of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
This is a free to view website, that doesn't sell images, purely displays them for your pleasure. It will - when complete - be one of the most useful of resources available on the internet."

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FREE Genealogy Web Courses

Brigham Young University's Independent Study program is offering FREE web courses in Family History/Genealogy. See below for course titles:

Family History/Genealogy - Introductory

FHGEN 68 - Finding Your Ancestors
FHGEN 69 - Providing Temple Ordinances for Your Ancestors
FHGEN 70 - Introduction to Family History Research
FHGEN 80 - Helping Children Love Your Family History

Family History/Genealogy - Record Type

FHREC 71 - Family Records
FHREC 73 - Vital Records
FHREC 76 - Military Records

Family History/Genealogy - Regional and Ethnic

FHFRA 71 - France: Immigrant Origins
FHFRA 72 - France: Vital Records
FHFRA 73 - France: Reading French Handwriting
FHFRA 74 - France: Genealogical Organizations and Periodicals
FHFRA 75 - France: The Internet and French Genealogy
FHFRA 76 - French Research: Paris
FHFRA 77 - French Research: Alsace-Lorraine
FHGER 71 - Germany: Immigrant Origins
FHGER 72 - Germany: U.S. Sources and Surname Changes
FHGER 73 - Germany: Jurisdictions, Gazetteers, and Maps
FHGER 74 - Germany: Reading German Handwriting
FHGER 75 - Germany: Calendars and Feast Days
FHGER 76 - Germany: Vital Records
FHHUG 71 - Huguenot Research
FHSCA 73 - Scandinavia: Jurisdictions, Gazetteers, and Maps
FHSCA 74 - Scandinavia: Reading Gothic Script
FHSCA 75 - Scandinavia: Church Records and Feast Days
FHSCA 76 - Scandinavia: Census Records
FHSCA 77 - Scandinavia: Probate and Other Records

Visit http://ce.byu.edu/is/site/courses/freecourses.cfm and register for the courses.

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The End of the Looking 4 Kin Newsletter

Hi Folks

The last ever Looking 4 Kin newsletter has gone out and, from now on, up to date tips and hints will be posted on this blog.

If you have come into the site in response to the information shown in the newsletter, then let me remind you again that you can subscribe to the blog in the same way as you subscribed to the newsletter.

Unlike the newsletter, however, the blog will be added to on regular (hopefully daily) basis. In this way, if there is a special offer or a short 'freebie' out there, you will get to know quickly so that you can make the best use of the offer.

See you in
Looking 4 Kin Chat

Social Security Death Index Updates

FamilySearch.org and Ancestry.com
have updated the Social Security Death Indexes to include March 2007 entries.

Clues and facts from the SSDI often can be used to further genealogical research by enabling you to locate a death certificate, find an obituary, discover cemetery records and track down probate records.

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BBC Family History

BBC Family History was originally set up to support BBC2's Bloodties programme, but have been expanded into a very creditable family history section.

The website now contains information from the hugely successful series, Who Do You Think You Are? It offers one of the best introductions to the whole business of doing UK-based family history research on the web, including a selection of entertaining videos you can watch online.

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Upper Canada and Canada West Naturalization Records (1828-1850)

The Library and Archives of Canada site:

"Before 1947, foreigners could petition for naturalization. Library and Archives Canada holds several naturalization registers for Upper Canada/Canada West (now Ontario), for the years 1828 to 1850 only, organized by year within each county. This research tool contains 3,344 references."

Visit the virtual exhibition Moving Here, Staying Here. The Canadian Immigrant Experience

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1915-1932 Canadian Naturalization

The Canadian Genealogy Center Naturalization Webpage states:

"The Canadian Naturalization databases contain references to about 200,000 people who applied for and received status as naturalized Canadians from 1915 to 1932. During that period, the Government of Canada published the lists of names of those naturalized subjects in the annual reports of the Secretary of State (Sessional Papers) and in the Canada Gazette. These two databases, produced by the Jewish Genealogical Societies of Montreal and Ottawa, make it possible to search those annual lists by name.

In 1901, there were 5.3 million Canadians, of which only one in 20 were not "British-born," a term that was used for Canada, England and other countries of the British Commonwealth. By 1911, due to a wave of immigration from continental Europe and the United States, one in 10 Canadian residents were from non-Commonwealth countries.

Many of these non-British immigrants did not speak English, and often had names that English speaking people had never before encountered. As well, they often had no firm plans as to where they would make their new homes in Canada. These factors pose major problems for today's genealogical researchers trying to trace the movements of their direct ancestors and other relatives. We may know whence they came, but it's not always known what names they used, and where they went.

The databases are one of the few Canadian genealogical resources specifically designed to benefit those researchers with roots outside of the British Commonwealth. References located in the databases can be used to request copies of the actual naturalization records, which are held by Citizenship and Immigration Canada."

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Family Search Web site reaches 150 million names

According to TribStar.com

"The Family Search Web site announces that it has reached 150 million names on its free genealogy database at www.familysearch.org. This database has grown by 19 million names per year since it was launched in 1999.

One feature of the online databases is the Pedigree Resource File, or PRF. Family files in the PRF are submitted by visitors to the Web site. To submit files, a user has to download the free Personal Ancestral File genealogy software at the site, or submit the information using a GEDCOM file from another genealogy software program.

A new search feature on the advanced search screen allows users to check a “show all events” feature to view extended generational information that they were unable to view before to this addition. The advanced search screen is at www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp."

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Ancestry.uk Free Trial

Have you ever thought about using the UK version of Ancestry, but been afraid of committing yourself to an annual subscription, or the possibility of forgetting to cancel the free trial?

If you click on the link below, you will gain access to the free parts of the UK ancestry site, with no need to give any card details. Take notice of the 14 day trial comment - all that is needed is registration - which is free.



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Trouble Shooting to gain access to Looking 4 Kin Chat

Registration

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Browser Cache

Try emptying your browser's cache http://support.addoninteractive.com/index.php?action=kb&article=2 then reboot and try again.

If using Internet Explorer and Windows operating system:

Make sure you have the latest java update. You can get it at http://java.com/getjava

Make sure your Windows Operating system is fully updated

Open Internet Explorer and click Tools then select Internet Options. Click the tab at the top that says Advanced. Scroll down and make sure that under Java (Sun) the Use JRE is checked. The latest version is 1.5.0_09

If there is a Microsoft JVM area uncheck all boxes

Click OK

Go back to the tools and it will open up again with the General tab up and settings. Delete Cookies and Delete Files then click OK

It wouldn't hurt at this time to close all browser windows and other applications then restart your computer.

A Red X image is displayed where the applet should be, applets won't run

An applet does not load, and the "Java Plug-in Control Panel" shows the following error: java.net.UnknownHostException: www.xxxxx.com at java.net. PlainSocketImpl.connect(Unknown Source)

Or

you see an image that looks like a small white box with a Red X in it

Or

The browser cannot display the program and shows the error message: "Loading Java Applet Failed...

To learn more about this problem and it's resolution, please visit http://www.java.com/en/download/help/redximage.xml

Blank gray box when loading applet

Try emptying your browser's cache http://support.addoninteractive.com/index.php?action=kb&article=2

Remember to shut down all instances of your web browser after emptying the cache (temporary internet files).

If this does not work, it is possible that you do not have Java installed, or that the version of Java that you're using is outdated. Please visit java and download the latest version.

Browser

Although Firefox and Netscape might allow you to access chat we recommend Internet Explorer (6.0 SP2 or later) at this time as the best method.

If you are using a Mac the new chat will not work with anything lower than OS-X.

For Mac users still having trouble

This link: http://sourceforge.net/projects/javaplugin/ has proved helpful for people using browsers which no longer support the new versions of Java, and for old Mac OS's that no longer provide Java updates through the Software Update utility.

We hope one or any combinations of the steps above will help you access chat. We apologize for any inconvenience you have had.

If you have serious issues I recommend that you e-mail your queries to support@addonInteractive.com with a very detailed explanation of what problems you are having and what you are using for an operating system and browser.

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lulu.com self-publishing service

If you have ever thought of publishing your family history you may want to check out www.lulu.com.

Lulu is a self-publishing service where you submit your book for publishing, order copies for yourself and provide a web address to your relatives so they can order a copy of your book for themselves.

Their site says "Lulu is fast, easy and free
Publish and sell easily within minutes.
No set-up fees. No minimum order.
Keep control of the rights.
Set your own price.
Each product is printed as it is ordered.
No excess inventory."

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Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics

Nova Scotia is the first province in Canada to digitize all of its historical vital statistics and make them available online.

When you enter novascotiagenealogy.com, you’ll find a fully searchable database containing one million names. Every name is linked to its original record, which will be within one of the following record groups:

Births 1864-1877
Marriages 1864-1930
Deaths 1864-1877 and 1908-1955

You'll be able to view the actual record in digitized form, and by using the Viewpoint® plug-in that they have provided, you'll also be able to read every detail entered on the original registration.

If you want copies of the records for historical and genealogical research purposes, you can purchase them – either e-files at $9.95 each, or paper copies at $19.95 each.

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Guidelines For Using Genealogy Message Boards & Submitting Queries

Posts to message boards, mailing lists, and newsgroups are great ways to connect with researchers with similar interests, to seek information, or to locate family members and can yield great results if they are written to gain the attention of potential cousins, or someone in a position to help you.

Resist impulse posting. Taking a few moments and care in writing a query will give your request a better chance for gaining someone’s attention rather than ending up being skimmed over on a message board or in their e-mail trash bins .

Be specific in the subject line. Use a name "DOE, John" instead of something vague like "Looking for" or "Family history" or "Help needed".

Post detailed information rather than something that reads like "Looking for all information on John Doe". More information lessens confusion about what it is you are after and lets the reader know what you have. If your message is detailed, it will lend itself more toward attracting positive responses.

Separate your information into paragraphs:

Who
Who are you looking for and what information you do have. Include:
Full name, including any middle names or initials
Birth, marriage, and death dates
Places where the above events occurred
Residence and migration details
Names of their children and / or their parents

What
State what specific information that you are seeking:
Need parents, wife, husband, children etc. of
What is the maiden name of
Or need obituary of etc.

When
Narrow it down to a specific time frame if possible. If you don't known an exact date, make an educated guess. Use circa or about so readers will get an idea of what time period is indicated.

Where
State the area, as close as possible, that you are looking in.

Avoid abbreviations. Write out words like born, died, married, daughter, month, city, parish, county, state, etc.

Write out dates in standard genealogical format - Day, Month, Year (21 Sept 2004).

Limit your query to a single surname or question. Too many requests will decrease your chances of a response.

Read your query at least once before posting it. Make sure all the necessary information is included.

Successful queries should:
Give information on a specific individual or research problem
Give specific information without overwhelming the reader
Have surnames in capital letters
If you don't know a date, estimate the time period.

Thank anyone who responds to your query, whether you found the information helpful or not. If they tried to help you they deserve to be thanked.

Post your families on the message boards at Looking 4 Kin Genealogy Links & Chat

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Titanic Passenger List

If you hurry, you will have a chance to look at the Titanic passenger list for free.

The Findingmypast.com website e mailed me to say ...

'To commemorate the 95th anniversary of the sinking of the SS Titanic we've made the Titanic passenger lists and images free to view until Friday 20 April'

Take a look at Findingmypast.com

PaperofRecord.com

PaperofRecord.com is a fully searchable, freely accessible database of digital newspapers with 21 million images in their collection so far.

Simply create a user account and start searching for articles in newspapers in UK, USA, Australia, Bahamas, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and Mexico.

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Celebrate Ellis Island's 100th Anniversary with Ancestry

Today Ancestry.com celebrates April 17, 1907, the 100th anniversary of the single largest day of immigration to the U.S. ever.

Until 30 April 2007 you can get free access to the newly expanded Ancestry Immigration Collection, as well as the Ellis Island Experience - a website that will help you understand your ancestors' journeys to America.

Immigration Collection

Free Access ScotlandsPeople

The Scottish Sunday Mail is giving away to their readers 20 free credits for the ScotlandsPeople site. These are worth £4 or roughly $9.00 CDN.

Just click on the link and follow the instructions. The Scottish Sunday Mail

On the voucher page simply type in sundaymail.

Your 20 FREE credits voucher must be redeemed before 1 pm on Wednesday, April 18, 2007. Your 20 FREE credits will then be valid for 90 days after you redeem the voucher.

Among the records:

Statutory Registers
» Births 1855-1906
» Marriages 1855-1931
» Deaths 1855-1956

Old Parish Registers
» Births & Baptisms 1553-1854
» Banns & Marriages 1553-1854

Census Records
» 1841
» 1851
» 1861
» 1871
» 1881
» 1891
» 1901

Other Records
» Wills & Testaments Search 1513-1901 (Free)

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