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Saddleback Valley Trails
South Orange County California Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 4513, Mission Viejo, CA. 92690
Monthly meetings are held on the third Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to Noon at the Mission Viejo Family History Center Institute Building, 27978 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, between Medical Center Drive and Hillcrest Drive. Membership is open to anyone wishing to join. Yearly membership fees are $20 per calendar year for individuals, $25 for joint membership. SOCCGS is not affiliated with the LDS Family History Center.
JUNE 18 GENERAL MEETING
“GERMAN RESEARCH”
Presented By
LELAND POUND
Mr. Pound has much to share with German researchers. He has researched his German ancestors here in the U.S. and overseas, and has compiled his family history back to the 1500’s. The first part of his presentation will cover record research we can accomplish here, in the United States. Leland will then discuss the different types of records available in Germany, and how to access and use them. “The key to your research is to establish your ancestor’s place of origin in Germany.”
Genealogists have benefited from Lee’s information-packed presentations to societies, conferences and classes for over 30 years. His research experience gives him a unique insight into difficult problems, records used to solve those problems, and creative approaches to using those records. He is the co-author and primary researcher for several books that have been published on genealogical research. We are pleased to have Leland back with us once again.
PLAN TO ATTEND THIS KEY RESEARCH PROGRAM!
2005 CALENDAR
July 16----------------Annie Lloyd - “Welsh Settlements in the USA.”
August 20-------------Kathy Mauzey - “What To Do With That Census Information.”
September 17---------Caroline Rober - “Kentucky Research.”
October 22 -----------Seminar, featuring Lloyd Bockstruck.
November 19---------Preserving Your Photographs and Documents
December 16 -------- Holiday Party.
JUNE GENEALOGY SAFARI
The destination for the June 22nd Safari will be announced at the June meeting and a notice will be sent out via email. Bill Bluett is on a European vacation, and we didn’t make a safari decision before he left. Sorry!
LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS
We still need docent volunteers! There are two shifts that are currently being filled by a different substitute each week, and with summer vacations coming up your help is needed. Being a docent or substitute is a positive way for members to help the society. It entails about two or three hours a week, or month, depending upon your availability. PLEASE THINK ABOUT IT! And, then call Mary Jo McQueen, 581-0690.
Ongoing classes for persons considering becoming docents are held on Thursdays (12-3) and Saturdays (10 to 1). These classes are also open to current docents and other members needing help in using the resources available at the library. If you are unable to meet one of these times, call Mary Jo, and we will set up a special time.
"The fool wonders, the wise man asks."
~Benjamin Disraeli
IN MEMORIUM
We have just become aware that longtime member, Gail Gilbert passed, away on March 5. Gail was a dedicated member of our society and will be greatly missed. She joined SOCCGS in 1996, and was editor of the Saddleback Valley Trails from July 1999 through June 2003. One of Gail’s family research projects was the Woodruff family.
MAY MEETING
There were over sixty members and guests present to hear Rosalind Heaps give a wonderful presentation. She inspired us to “get organized” and properly prepare for our genealogy research trips. As Francie Kennedy said, “She gave me a new way to look at the things I haven’t yet filed!”
Bunny Smith provided the goodies. Hospitality Chairman, Leesola Cannon, recruits these terrific members. We thank both of them!
NEW MEMBERS & GUESTS
Iris Graham reported at the May meeting that we have 234 members. We are so fortunate to be a growing society. Following are the new members we welcomed, with the surnames they are searching:
Lesley and Al Rankin, [email protected].
JOYCE (Danbury CT abt. 1750); LEE (Bath, ENG abt. 1850); STEVENS (Dunham, Quebec 1775).
Pat Langdon, LANGDON (bn. 22 Feb 1865 - Illinois/Nebraska).
Maggi Finnigan, MCGARRIGLE, 1820's Ireland
Guests at the meeting were: Dinah Beattie, George Robinson, Marlene Bock.
PLEASE SIGN UP
(SOCCGS MAILING LIST)
In order to receive information between meetings and newsletters you need to sign up for the SOCCGS Mailing List. You may also use this list to send out a query, or to pass on genealogical information to the group. To subscribe to the SOCCGS mailing list, just send an e-mail to [email protected] with the message: subscribe. Don't put anything in the subject line. To send a message or query to the list address the message to [email protected].
2005 SEMINAR
October 22
Please mark your calendars now for the Forth Annual SOCCGS Genealogy Seminar. Lloyd Bockstruck will be our featured speaker. Four topics, to be announced, will be presented throughout the day. Mr. Bockstruck has been Supervisor of the Genealogy Section of the Dallas, Texas, Public Library since 1973. He is the author of “Virginia's Colonial Soldiers”, “Genealogical Research in Texas”, and “Revolutionary War Bounty Land Grants Awarded by State Governments”. He received the Award of Merit from the National Genealogical Society in 1982, was named a Fellow of National Genealogical Society in 1993, and was the first recipient of the "Filby Prize for Genealogical Librarianship" from Scholarly Resources and the National Genealogical Society in 1999.
The day promises to be interesting, informative and fun! There will be food, door prizes and an opportunity drawing for a hand made quilt. More information will be forthcoming.
PLEASE PLAN TO JOIN US!
"Whatever you would do, begin it.
Boldness has courage, genius and magic in it."
~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
1749-1832
DATING OLD PHOTOS
Most of us have old family photos that are lacking dates and some even names. Perhaps the following information will help you decide when some of them might have been taken.
Daguerreotype (1839-1870) is the oldest commercially made photograph. It usually has a delicate image on a highly polished, silver-plated copper sheet. The earliest daguerreotypes have silver toned images. They are almost always in a case.
Ambrotype (1854-1863) photo image is usually glass. The photo is a negative image that appears positive because of red or black lacquer painted on the back of the glass. It is sometimes backed with velour paper or cloth.
Tintypes (1856-1915) appear like a positive image on thin, polished iron, not tin. They were put in cases until 1865. Sometimes they are found in paper frames. Some photographers used these until the 1930s.
Cartes-de-visite (1869-1910) were visiting cards that were the first of the paper photographs. They originally were sized about 2 x 3 x 4 inches.
Cabinet photo (1866-1910) was most common from 1870 to 1900. It typically has a glossy finish. The most popular size was usually about 3 x 5 mounted on a 4 x 6 board. Most cabinet cards were brown, sepia or yellow-toned.
Crayon or charcoal photos (1890-1910) were copies or enlargements of earlier photos and sometimes combined two different originals. The original photos, from which these copies were made, were taken in 1860 and earlier. Daguerreotypes were copied into tintypes, cabinets, etc.
Bromide print (1890-Present) has a variety of surfaces, weights and textures. The images are usually black and white or blue-black. Earlier prints sometimes have a “silver substance” that is starting to come to the surface.
Go to http://www.classyimage.com/dating.htm for much more detailed information on photograph dating.
COOKBOOK PROJECT
Due to concerns expressed by the membership at the May meeting, the cookbook format has been revised to include more variety and flexibility.
Expanded Content: The cookbook will now include historical anecdotes about food. This may include topics, such as: table manners, food preparation and preservation, farming and crops, medicinal qualities of foods, and anything other food-related stories you want to share. Share your own experiences as well as those of your ancestors! Use this opportunity to educate younger and future generations about how times have changed.
Here are a few examples of stories you may want to think about sharing:
The kinds of meals families had to get by on during the Depression.
What were your meals like while stationed abroad in the armed forces?
What food rationing was like during World Wars I and II.
Home/kitchen remedies used by your ancestors to treat family illnesses.
Food preservation methods before electricity and refrigeration.
Plus any other stories you wish to share!
Physical Format and Arrangement: The example and instructions on the original flyer are ONLY general guidelines. It is not required that you submit a photo, or a story, with your recipe Articles do not have to be 280-300 words, however, we would like to keep the stories and anecdotes under one full page in length. Please keep in mind that the editorial staff reserves the right to edit the length of submissions.
All submissions must be received by July 1st, 2005.
Thank You,
Colleen Robledo, Ways & Means Chairman ([email protected])
"Experience is not what happens to a man.
It is what a man does with what happens to him."
~Aldous Huxley
TECH TIPS FOR GENEALOGISTS
By Colleen Robledo
Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Genealogy Tech Tips Column. This will be an ongoing feature in the SOCCGS newsletter!
Trying to keep up with the ever-changing nature and variety of technological tools available for genealogy researchers can be positively overwhelming. Just when you get comfortable with one tool, another one comes along to stump you! This is where I hope this column will help, as each month, I will showcase and provide instruction on a different technological topic relevant to your research. This may include organizing and archiving email, designing a simple free web site, backing up genealogy data, or doing genealogy on a handheld computer.
In order to make this column applicable to our membership’s needs, I would like to hear from you, the members, concerning the types of tools already used, as well as topics about which you would like to learn more. The most effective way to do this will be for you to take the Genealogy Tech Tips Column online survey on the SOCCGS web site: https://sites.rootsweb.com/~casoccgs/techsurvey.html, or you may email me at: [email protected]. Thank you!
Thank you, Colleen. How fortunate we are to have a member who is both learned and willing to give us additional tools to accomplish our genealogy goals.
GENEALOGY RESEARCH DAY
On April 27 we held our first Research Day in the genealogy department (our SOCCGS library) in the Mission Viejo Library. Over forty people came throughout the day and evening. This project was so successful that we will be planning a similar research opportunity in the future, probably on a Saturday. We thank all of the members who gave assistance to the researchers and who so generously brought treats.
BRITISH ISLES FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY - USA
17th ANNUAL SEMINAR
August 13, 2005
9 am to 4 pm
LINDA JONAS speaking on "ESSENTIALS FOR MAKING BRITISH CONNECTIONS" at the Veterans Memorial Complex, 4117 Overland Avenue (at the corner of Culver Blvd.), Culver City, CA. The cost is $50 for members/ $60 for nonmembers. Includes a British Tea and a Syllabus. Registration deadline is August 1, 2005; no cancellations after that date. A registration form may be downloaded at https://sites.rootsweb.com/~bifhsusa/.
UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP TEST
Can you pass?
1. What do the stars on the U. S. flag stand for?
2. Who makes the laws in the United States?
3. Who becomes President if the President should die?
4. What is the Constitution?
5. What holiday was started by American colonists?
6. Who helped the Pilgrims when they first landed in America?
7. How did women get the right to vote?
8. Who was allowed to vote according to the Constitution in 1776?
9. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
10. What is the Bill of Rights?
11. Name the original thirteen colonies.
“The Grand essentials of happiness are:
something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.”
~Allan K. Chalmers
INTERNET SITES
Encyclopedia of Chicago Online - http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org
On May 11, the Chicago Historical Society, Newberry Library, and Northwestern University launched an online Encyclopedia of Chicago. This online collection will be of particular interest to the family historian with ancestors from Chicago. There are detailed historical maps and loads of background material. Maps are available showing damage from the Great Fire of 1871, early transportation, maps depicting the evolution of neighborhoods, historic events (such as the one titled, "Labor Unrest in Chicago, April 25-May 4, 1886"), and more. Photographs, broadsides, and newspaper clippings are accompanied by descriptions and background information on the images.
Southern California Genealogy Society in Burbank has a new website that is their first real step toward becoming a strong genealogical resource on the Internet. Go to http://www.scgsgenealogy.com/.
NYPL Digital is your gateway to The New York Public Library’s rare and unique collections in digitized form. NYPL Digital helps fulfill The Library’s traditional mission in the Internet Age to collect, preserve and make its holdings available. Check it out at http://www.nypl.org/digital/.
Talking Scot athttp://www.talkingscot.com/ has been set up as a meeting place for people with an interest in Scottish genealogy, history and culture.
http://www.ukgenealogy.co.uk/ is the ideal starting point for anyone researching their ancestors in the United Kingdom.
Genealogy Resources on the Internet http://www-personal.umich.edu/~cgaunt/gen_web.html
Reference, Facts, News......Free and Family-Friendly Resources athttp://www.refdesk.com/
Lots of links to Genealogy Resources at http://www.refdesk.com/factgene.html
http://www.proof-genealogy.com is an example of a personal website, with links.
The National Geographic Society, IBM, geneticist Spencer Wells, and the Waitt Family Foundation have launched the Genographic Project, a five-year effort to understand the human journey—where we came from and how we got to where we live today. This unprecedented effort will map humanity's genetic journey through the ages.http://www.nationalgeographic.com/genographic
This is similar to the Family Tree DNA Project but it does not show matches to individuals just shows where your ancient line came from. The cost to participate is $99.
This epitaph supposedly found in Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Scotland.
Beneath this stone, this lump of clay,
Lies Under Peter Dan'els,
Who, early in the month of May,
Took off his winter flannels
********
"Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.”
~Franz Kafka
OLD NEWSPAPERS
(Ancestry Daily News, 2005, MyFamily.com)
CAN YOU GUESS THE SIZE OF NEWARK?
Newark Advocate (Newark, Ohio), 04 May 1910, page 6
Many Place Recent Count at 30,000 or 12,000 More Than Last Census
Work of City Enumerators Completed, But They Are Not Allowed To Give Out Information.
The working of taking the great 1910 census of the United States has been practically completed in the cities. Thousands of men and women all over the country and in the foreign holdings of the United States have been working almost day and night to complete this big job in the allotted fifteen days. Rural census takers have thirty days in which to complete their work.
Much speculation as to the population of Newark, as revealed by the government census, is being made in various quarters, but no definite information can be secured until the department of Washington gets ready to give it out. . . .
At the last government census it was shown that Newark had in the neighborhood of about 18,000 population and it's the belief of many people who have closely watched local conditions, that notwithstanding the depression of business, and the loss of a great many families during the late financial depression, that the city will show a population close to 30,000. . . .
With all this work and the fine system adopted by the government there is sure to be a few persons missed, but the work in Newark is said to have been a most successful one, and while a few oversights might have been made, yet the work has been thorough in general. On account of the wide publicity given the work of the people have been very willing to tell the enumerators all the answers to the thirty-two questions asked and this has [aided] in the speedy completion of the work. It will be several months before the government will be able to give out figures that will be of any interest to the residents, but we'll put the mark at 30,000 and let it go at that.
IMMIGRANTS
From The Ohio Repository (Canton, Ohio), 05 May 1852, page 3
From documents laid before Congress, the whole number of passengers which arrived at New York in the year 1851, was 294,445, of whom 119,531 were Irish; those at Boston numbered 25975--Maine, 5,361; Pennsylvania 18,566; Virginia 29.
THE END OF INDIANA DIVORCES
From the New York Herald (New York, N.Y.), 06 May 1871, page 7
The glory of Indiana divorces is gone. The law which for so many years was a beacon light of joy for distressed husbands and wives has been so amended that it offers now only the merest glimmer of hope to the would-be divorced. Three years' bona fide residence is required ere a divorce for any cause can be obtained, and in the case of application being made on the ground of acts committed in another State, it must be shown that those acts are legal grounds for divorce in the State where they were committed. These are important modifications of an obnoxious law, and in case they are rigidly enforced they will do away with the scandal and pest of Indiana divorces, which have for years been the fruitful source of unhappiness and crime, not in Hoosierdom alone, but in nearly every State in the Union. . . .
LOCUSTS
From The Ohio Repository (Canton, Ohio), 09 May 1849, page 2:
The New Orleans Bee says that in some parts of Texas the locusts have appeared in vast numbers, and are devouring every thing green and vegetable that comes in their way. The whole country is full of them, from Austin to the Gulf of Mexico. If this is related without exaggeration, this insect visitation may be worse than the cholera or yellow fever; for though no life is actually taken, the means of living are destroyed, and much suffering and disease may ensue.
"The only thing you take with you when you're gone is what you leave behind."
~John Allston
2005 GENEALOGICAL EVENT CALENDAR
June 25 & 26 - 32nd Annual San Diego Scottish Highland Games & Gathering of the Clans in Vista, California http://www.sdhighlandgames.org/index.htm
June 25 & 26 - Irish Fair and Music Festival at Irvine Meadows Fairgrounds http://www.irishfair.org/
INNER STRENGTH
If you can................
Start the day without caffeine or pills,
Be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
Resist complaining and boring others with your troubles,
Eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,
Understand when loved ones are too busy to give you time,
Overlook when people take things out on you when, through no fault of yours, something goes wrong.
Take criticism and blame without resentment,
Face the world without lies and deceit,
Conquer tension without medical help,
Relax without liquor,
Sleep without the aid of drugs.
If you can do all these things,
Then you are probably the family dog!
Contributions to this newsletter will be appreciated! Deadline for the July issue is June 24.
“Grandparent.” Something so simple
a child can operate it.
~anonymous
_______________________________________________________________________________________
South Orange County California Genealogical Society Membership/Renewal Application
( ) New ( ) Renewal ( ) Individual, $20/yr. ( ) Jt. Members, same address $25/yr.
Renewal Membership Number(s) _________________________ _____________________
Name(s) _______________________________________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________________________________________
City _____________________________ State_____Zip ____________Phone ______________________
Email address:__________________________________________________________________________
Make check payable to: SOCCGS (South Orange County CA Genealogical Society) Check No. __________________
Mail with application to: SOCCGS, P.O. Box 4513, Mission Viejo, CA 92690-4513 Date Rec'd__________________