Fannie Finds Fantastic Foundations For Fact-Finding

hahaha   Say that five times without fail....but you can't!

But, what you CAN do is follow her suggestions for accumulating some great resources to fill in the blanks of your family tree research.

images.google.com, accessed 12 Nov 2016 

NOPE, no magic wand here...

Just some FANTASTIC help just for you!

Do you have some family members who were in the Civil War?  Having problems getting the real SCOOP on their experiences, service files, pension papers, burial locations?

Never Fear....Twisted Twigs on Gnarled Branches....has come to the rescue for YOU. Find them on the Internet at twistedtwigsgenealogy.com, and sit back for some great service at obtaining some of the most important records that you will ever use for your family history.  This is what they offer :

NARA Archive Military Record Retrieval Services

Washington DC – Archive I

College Park, MD – Archive II

Service Records, Pensions, Morning Reports

NARA St. Louis Military Record Retrieval Services

WWI/WWII Service Records, Civilian Personnel Files

CCC/WPA Files,  Burial Files, Misc. 

So, how does Fannie know about this company and their services?  That's easy...She Has Used Them.

Twisted Twigs provided the full pension files of two Civil War veterans to Fannie and Her Family.

One was a wounded veteran, who returned home after being shot in the leg during the Battle at Stone River.  He passed away just four years after returning home, dying from complications from his wound, which left him using a crutch and not able to straighten his afflicted leg. His leg proved to  harbor an infection causing his death.  He left a widow and small child.

The second pension file was that of a USCT Corporal, who hailed from Alabama and Mississippi.  He escaped the ravages of slavery from a brutal owner, made his way to Kentucky, met up with a unit of Union soldiers from Wisconsin who nursed him to health.  They took such a liking to him that they sent a letter to relatives in Evansville and asked them to meet him at the train station there.  They had secured him a home and a job.  He repaid the act by joining the USCT and served his nation to aide in the freedom of his comrades still in the bonds of slavery.  

All of this, and so much more, was gleaned from the pension files of these two soldiers.  Fannie was so fascinated with the stories of these two men who found side by side with their fellow soldiers, in what was the bloodiest war in the history of the United States.

Fannie is helping to write the accompanying blog to AncestorStuff.com, called Finding and Preserving Your History, www.preservingyourhistory.blogspot.com.   The first installment of this blog subject was written on 29 October 2016.  This blog is reviewing the complete pension file of Ernst Christian Reif, a wounded veteran of the 34th Illinois Infantry. It's an interesting story to be sure.  And it could not have been told without the help of the work of Twisted Twigs on Gnarled Branches.  Visit them today, and place your order for the history of your Civil War ancestor.

It's Fannie Endorsed, for sure!  She gives it Two Paws Up and Three Woofs.

Genealogical Encyclopedia - Good Stuff

Fannie has a new favorite book..  Three Paws UP, and Two Woofs!!

Genealogical Encyclopedia of the Colonial Americas. a Complete Digest of the Records of All the Countries of the Western Hemisphere.  by Christina K. Schaefer

www.genealogical.com

"Until the publication of this remarkable work, no single source could be used to identify and locate the records of the various countries of the Western Hemisphere. Given the extent and diversity of the records, this is hardly surprising; and yet the creation of such a source is precisely the task Christina Schaefer set herself. The immense body of records of the colonial period in the Western Hemisphere presents a serious challenge to the researcher--in some cases even a stumbling block--and therefore in this work Mrs. Schaefer has undertaken a systematic examination of the records to show the researcher where to find the most important genealogical records of the period and how to access them, all within the framework of a single encyclopedic volume" www.genealogical.com

A Great Desk Reference.  Chronology of History, dates, including the Colonies of Latin America, North American, South America....in addition to references of the many European nations that held interests in the Americas.

Fannie can't wait to get her paws on this one.  She is just thinking of all the great school reports that she will be able to write. Using this reference book to guide her to the sources of information, she can  produce some nice papers that will knock the socks off her geography and history teachers!  She smells some A's coming on her report cards!!!

Honestly, this is a really good book for any family with kids in grade school, high school and college.  And, what teacher would not like this as a new addition to their classroom bookshelf.  

Thinking of Christmas?  Here's one gift to mark off your list!

Fannie, black lab mix, history buff mutt

Tis the Season of All Hallow's Eve - Fannie Explores Records of Death

Let's face it!  When the air turns crisp and cool, and  leaves turn  a wide array of colors, it is natural for us to focus on one of the most exciting childhood holidays....Halloween.  Kids dress in costumes of every genre....silly, scary, pretty, ugly, etc.  This holiday did not start with doling out candy to urchins ringing our doorbells.  It started with remembrance of those who have passed away.  Death becomes the subject of the origins of this day.

Fannie has made it her goal to find out about all records and documents that might uncover hidden secrets that will fill holes in her family tree, and perhaps knock down some brick walls in her research.  She's got some fine ideas to share  with you, so that you, too, can solve some family mysteries that you may have in your ancestry.

Fannie, Black Lab Mix, History Buff Mutt

Where does she start?  Well, death certificates are a good place.  They certify the death date of a person, and have secondary information to point her in other directions.  If the place of burial is mentioned, then looking for records for that interment is a possibility.  The place of death is important because there may have been a will, a probate case, an obit in the newspaper, and address of the deceased person's place of residence could be the same place where the death occurred.  Social security death files may contain more information of the person.  The cemetery plot/grave records should tell who purchased the grave site, and when.  There may also be others related to that person buried next to them, or very nearby.  Each piece of information can lead you to another clue about the deceased.  Fannie has to look over every bit of information that is mentioned in these resources and explore where additional facts can be found from these.  She has to be a detective!

"Cemetery Inscriptions of Madison County New York, Volume 1", by Mary K. Meyer and Joyce C. Scott, Heritage Books, http://www.ancestorstuff.com/new-york-madison-cemetery-inscriptions-of-madison-county-new-york-volume-1.html

 Books about cemetery inscriptions can be helpful, as they are abstracts of the information inscribed on tombstones and memorial markers in cemeteries.

"A Collection of Abstracts From Otsego County, New York Newspaper Obituaries, 1808-1875", compiled by Gertrude Audrey Barber, Heritage Books, http://www.ancestorstuff.com/new-york-otsego-a-collection-of-abstracts-from-otsego-county-new-york-newspaper-obituaries-1808-1875.html

 Newspapers can provide such interesting information. Search them through various databases online, or consult books like this one, a compiled abstract book of newspaper articles.

"Death and Marriage Notices, Tompkins County, New York, 1879-1890", compiled by Nancy E Greene Young, CGRS, Heritage Books, http://www.ancestorstuff.com/new-york-tompkins-death-and-marriage-notices-tompkins-county-new-york-1870-1890-nancy-e.-greene-young..html

Some texts, such as the one above, can combine abstracts and extracts from various publications.  This one happens to be taken from a publication of the DeWitt Historical Society in Ithaca, New York. Historical and Genealogical Societies are a nice resource to use for histories of people and places.

 Various states have free databases of death certificates, indexes and images.  

Your local library may have access to several databases that could lead you to the exact information that you desire, or at least close by.  Think outside the box when searching.

Many cemeteries have their own burial databases to browse, or you might try "Find A Grave" and "Billion Graves" for their search engine capabilities.   

Church Records can hold some very interesting information like, family names, dates of birth/marriage/death, and places of residence.

Funeral Home records may also be available for your deceased member.  Check the information on the death certificate for the name and location of the funeral director.  Placing a polite inquiry with them just might result in a lucky find.

Don't forget to browse the will and probate records for the area that your deceased person lived in.  Sometimes newspapers published notices of probates that were currently awaiting claims to be collected against a deceased person's accounts.  Many of these records are on microfilms...check FamilySearch.org for further available information, or search the county recorder's office websites to see if they offer a search for the papers. Many wills can be found in the nearby county court.  Send them an  inquiry, or make an appointment to visit in person.

Newspaper articles may contain information if your person died in an unconventional way.  And, along with that, police records may also contain some secrets to help you. Also, if your person belonged to a club, group or organization, they may have had it's own publication (think companies, brotherhoods and labor unions), that may mention members, present and past.

Once again, Fannie urges you to think outside the box....do a wide search for any records that may have had any mention of the passing of your deceased subject.  

Don't forget pension papers, especially those belonging to deceased military veterans.  These are a treasure trove of information for the deceased and his/her family and close relatives.

AncestorStuff.com has an extensive collection of published items from many publishers and writers.  Search for categories like DEATH, FUNERALS, OBITS, PENSIONS, PROBATES, WILLS and DEEDS, just to mention a few.  

If you need help in the search for information on your deceased person, just ask.  Fannie can help you in whatever way she can!

Fannie Hits the Books

schoolbooks.jpg, from www.photomorgue.com

Fannie Hits the Books

It's September, time to go back to school. And, Fannie has to take inventory of her research books.

Follow along to see if your collection of Genealogy resource books resembles hers:

The Handybook for Genealogists, by Everton Publishers, umteenth editions....this book is an essential for researchers.  County lists are extensive, and in addition, maps, addresses and history lead every researcher down the right paths.

Ancestry's Red Book, Alice Eichholz, editor, maps by William Dollarhide, published by Ancestry, Inc.  A wonderful reference book for American research.  

The Family Tree Resource Book for Genealogists, by Sharon DeBartolo Carmack and Erin Nevius, published by Family Tree Books....Each state has a chapter with maps, historical dates, county information, bibliographies of sources, etc.  Tips and tricks for contacting those cities and communities that operate independantly.  

The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy, by Val Greenwood, published by Genealogical Publishing Co.Inc.  This text covers every aspect of research.  Includes up-to-date computer technology and it's use in research.

The Source, edited by Loretta Szucs and Sandra H. Luebking, published by Ancestry, Inc.  If you are confused about source materials, this book will make things easy to undestand.  There is perfect instructions on how to find those vital records, in addition to land, military, business, divorce and other records.  Ethnic origins are also covered to track and trace what might break down a brick wall.

These are just a few of the research books in Fannie's research library.  Do you have all of these in your home library?  If not, maybe they should be.

Tell Fannie about your favorite research books, and maybe she will add them to her collection.

Fannie, a black lab mix, genealogy and history buff mutt

  

Fannie is Prepared for the FGS Conference

Fannie, Black Lab Mix, history buff mutt

We are headed to Springfield for the big FGS conference.

UNFORTUNATELY,  it is not pet Friendly!

Perhaps someone didn't realize that Fannie has a very large following on social media.

She will just have to have her photo displayed at table 516...AncestorStuff.com exhibit. Farm and Families research tips will be shared.

Fannie plans to have some wallet photos made for future appearances. And then, just maybe, she will be invited for guest appearances.

Until that time, she will just have to remain behind.

Fannie's Favorites : Hearthstone Legacy and the Genealogy Hound

Fannie, Black Lab Mix and History Buff Mutt

Fannie's Competition?!?!?!   NOT 

My Genealogy Hound, http://www.hearthstonelegacy.com/

While browsing on the Internet, Fannie decided to do a Google search for pooches and dogs plus history and genealogy....and look what she found!  MY GENEALOGY HOUND!

At first she thought that she had some competition with her posts and photos.  But, after contemplation, she decided to look at this whole thing in another view.  They are both very good looking...without a doubt!  Fannie has a certain knack of attracting people to her very versatile style.  The Genealogy Hound has a stable look...never changes, never moves. He is a hound.

Fannie decided to look into the company that uses My Genealogy Hound, The Hearthstone Legacy Publications.  She was so amazed at the various things that this company offers.  Maps, County histories, Vital Records, Plat Map books, Census records....the list never ends.  And, they offer so many of these things on CD, so it's easy to own a lot of them and still have room on your bookshelves!  Perfect!

The list of the States that are covered in the catalog for this company is impressive.  Here's what their website posted : 

Hearthstone Legacy Publications publishes a wide variety of History, Genealogy, and Map materials with an emphasis on Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas Counties www.hearthstonelegacy.com

Fannie was excited when she read this.  Gee, they might have something about her roots in Kentucky.

That Genealogy Hound is not such a bad guy, anymore.  Fannie has a new friend in her corner.

AncestorStuff.com is honored to represent Hearthstone Legacy Publications, We have personally been customers of this company for years, and have had the best experiences with them.  We proudly offer their products to our customers with utmost confidence that they will be very happy with their purchases from their items on our catalog. 

Find the Hearthstone Legacy Publications items in our AncestorStuff.com catalog  products begin with 156-

http://www.ancestorstuff.com/search.php?mode=search&page=1&keep_https=yes

As far as Fannie is concerned... there is room for more than one pooch in this business, and she is happy to share it with The Genealogy Hound and..

www.hearthstonelegacy.com

The Tiger's Widow : A Fannie Favorite

The Tiger's Widow, by Jennifer Holik; a new favorite of Fannie's

Today, Fannie is going to tell you about a book that has inspired her patriotic spirit.  She happened upon this book when AncestorStuff.com. announced that Jennifer Holik would be a new writer featured on their online bookstore.

Virginia Brouk Davis, the Flying Tiger's widow, has told her story through Ms. Holik's enlightening book about a career in the Women's Army Corps.  Most of the photographs in the book show the lovely memories of a woman who knew loves, and the pain of heartbreak.  As a "Hello Charley" girl for the Western Electric Company, Ginny became a representative for the company, and appeared at many events. During WWII, she greeted the boys in uniform as they stopped at hometowns while on leave.

This gal met her hometown hero in 1942 when Robert Brouk, a flying ace, was honored in a parade.
They married in November of that year. But their life together was cut short.

In 1943 Ginny joined the WAAC while she wore Robert's insignia.  Her time as a "Hello Charley" girl followed her along in the corps.  She helped to recruit other women in the military service. Broadcasting on radio programs became a way of life for a while.

Her time in the service took her throughout the world.  She had the opportunity to see so many places that a young woman probably would never have the chance otherwise. Letters to home were a top priority for her. While coming off of a plane in 1944, Ginny accidentally met her new love, Harvey Davis,  through a rather awkward moment (you have to read the book to get the full story).  After both were discharged in late 1945, they were married.  Many years were spent together with a beautiful family.

Harvey is no longer at Ginny's side, but she has her memories of him.  She kept her life stories going by sharing them with her family, and now they are shared with everyone through this book.

Jennifer Holik ends her book with 9 discussion questions that help the reader to think about what they had read and how they feel about the life, loves and memories of Virginia.

Images @ www.google.com

Fannie LOVED this book.  She could not put it down.  It kept her attention engaged, and she learned so much about what women could do during WWII in service to their country.  Fannie is now a new fan of Virginia Brouk Davis, and Jennifer Holik, too!

Fannie's Ratings :

Engaging/Educational Factor:  TWO Paws UP !!!!!

Entertainment Factor : THREE Woofs!!