Saddleback Valley Trails South

Saddleback Valley Trails
South Orange County California Genealogical Society
Vol. 16 No. 9	P.O. Box 4513, Mission Viejo, CA. 92690	September 2009
Editor: Mary Jo McQueen
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 interested in genealogy. Individual membership fees are $20 per calendar year, $25 for joint membership. SOCCGS is not affiliated with the LDS Family History Center.

General Meeting – 19 September 2009

"DNA and Genealogy"
Presented By
Cheri Mello

In this presentation, Ms. Mello will break down the basics of DNA and explain how it can be used to further genealogical research. A case study illustrating one application of DNA will be presented. Cheri lectures on DNA throughout Southern California and nationally on Portuguese genealogy. She is the founder of the Azores Genealogy group on Google Groups.

The genealogy bug was planted in Cheri with a fifth grade history project. She began active adult research 17 years ago, after the death of her remaining grandparents. Cheri has hosted online chat rooms and taught many classes related to Portuguese genealogy. She is an active member of the Southern California Genealogical Society. Professionally, Cheri is a math teacher with degrees in psychology, sociology, human and child development. She holds a master’s degree in education. In her spare time, she plays the piccolo in a band!

SOCCGS Seminar - 17 October 2009
Bill Bluett - Seminar Chairman

Register Now! The Seminar will afford a great opportunity to hone your genealogy research skills. Paula Stuart-Warren topics: "Untrodden Ground, Sources You May Not Have Encountered;" "The U. S. Federal Government, 13 Underutilized Resources;" "Genealogy On The Internet, Make It Work For You" and "Organizing Your Genealogical Materials." Registration forms are located in the Genealogy section of the Mission Viejo Library, and on the SOCCGS website at sites.rootsweb.com/~casoccgs/. A form is also in this newsletter.

We Need Books - Eileen Merchant (949-831-1441) and Barbara Calabrese (949-855-6953) are collecting items for the Book Sale Table. Please bring any genealogy related books and magazines, fiction, non-fiction & cookbooks you wish to donate to the September 19 meeting, or call to arrange pick up or drop off. Books may be either soft or hardback and paperbacks are welcome. Please do not bring items to the seminar.

We Need Jewelry - Barbara Wilgus is once again the "Jewelry Lady!" The Jewelry Table is another of SOCCGS ways and means projects. Please bring your unused costume jewelry to the September meeting.

We Need Door Prizes - Cindie Reilly is accepting donations for the Door Prize Table. These may be new or very gently used items; or perhaps you know of a business in the area that will donate a gift certificate. Contact Cindie at 949-830-9488 or [email protected].

Genealogy Safari.

On September 23rd, we will visit, for the first time, the Whittier Area Genealogical Society Library Collection that is housed in the Whittier College Wardman Library. The collection is listed on their web page, which can be found at: www.cagenweb.com/kr/wags/library.html. We will leave the church parking lot promptly at 9:30 AM. Be sure to bring a lunch and a few $$ for your driver. We may stop for dinner on the way home if our venture is successful, and if our research continues into the early evening.

President's Message

~Sandy Crowley

We enjoyed another great speaker at our August meeting with Kathleen Trevena sharing with us information on "Crossing a Continent: Migration between the Revolution and the Civil War." Thank you, Kathleen, for speaking, despite inconvenient circumstances. You are a trooper! Thanks to our hospitality chairmen and this month’s snack volunteers Kathy Mauzey, Pat Weeks and Diane Sanborn. I’m sure we all enjoy our break with all the wonderful refreshments.

Do consider sending in articles or queries about your ancestors to Mary Jo for the newsletter. I was so pleased to hear from a researcher who had been reading our newsletter and following my articles about my Scottish Tannahill ancestors. She provided data and pictures for a nephew of my ancestor, Robert Watt Tannahill. I was able to share with her information on that nephew’s mother going back to the mid-1600s. Did you know that Google picks up surnames from our newsletters? The newsletters are online so those searching the web can read our Saddleback Valley Trails. Ah, the miracle of Google.

I hope to see you all at the September meeting where we will be learning all about DNA.

"A Day At The Seminar"

Barbara Calabrese and Eileen Merchant will greet you at the Book Sale Table, which is a ways & means project for the Society. Genealogy related books and magazines, fiction, non-fiction & cookbooks will be offered for sale.

Nancy Kingston is a local "Creative Memories" Consultant. With their products and software, you can create a traditional or digital scrapbook with your treasured photos, documents, and memories expressed in your own words. You can check out the website at: www.creativememories.com/. Nancy will be happy to answer questions at her table.

Bling! The Jewelry Table is back again this year. Karen Schumaker and Pat McCoy will offer a selection of mostly vintage costume jewelry. Great bargains await! This is a SOCCGS ways & means project.

Genealogy - Marilyn Kowalski & Shirley Fraser will be at the Genealogy Table offering a "Genealogy Handbook" and "Ancestral Tablet" for sale. Herb Abrams has made a CD with instructions for making your own "Ancestral Tablet." Herb will be available to answer questions. Proceeds will benefit the SOCCGS Library.

Jacquelyn Hanson – Author Jackie is a member of SOCCGS. Her newest title is "Gardner Randolph of Illinois" and is the prequel to "Matilda's Story." "Betsy Ann (my great-great grandmother) is telling the story. Her father, John Stringfield was at the Battle of King's Mountain in the Revolution and her father and three of her brothers were in the War of 1812, as was Gardner. One brother was with Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans. They migrated from Alabama in 1820 and finally settled in McLean County in January of 1822." Surnames include: Randolph, Stringfield, Burleson and Crose.

Mel Kinnee – is the owner of Graphic Associates specializing in memory DVDs, which can be produced to memorialize an event, a holiday, a family affair or to honor someone special. Please visit the website at www.GraphicAssociates.net and plan to visit Mel’s table. She will hold a drawing for a free DVD.

David Flint – will conduct demonstration of Legacy Family Tree Software. He will have a limited supply of free trial CDs. He will also have informational handouts. This is a well-rounded and easy-to-use genealogy program for both beginners and experienced genealogists. Stop by the Legacy table and see for yourself.

The Quilt - Barbara Wilgus & Ann Hagerty will conduct the drawing for the beautiful hand made quilt at the closing of the Seminar. During the day, tickets will be offered @ $1.00 each, or 6 for $5.00. All proceeds go to support the SOCCGS Genealogy Library, which is located within the Mission Viejo Library.

DAR–SAR - Bunny & Leon Smith are the local registrars for "Daughters of the American Revolution" and "Sons of the American Revolution." Persons interested in either organization may stop by their table for information.

Door Prizes - Cindie Reilly will display the many door prizes, which will be given during the day. Chuck and Pat Nostrome will assist in passing out prizes. Be sure to stop by her table and take a look. Every attendee will be a given a door prize ticket. Good Luck!

As you can see, a "Day At The Seminar" will be well spent!

Ralphs Community Contribution Program
David Flint – Ways & Means Chairman
[email protected]

In order to help raise funds for SOCCGS, it is time to renew your registration in the Ralphs Community Contribution Program. Under this program Ralphs will donate to SOCCGS a portion of the cash register receipt total for shoppers who have a Ralphs Rewards Card. The amount donated to SOCCGS varies from 1% to 4% of the total amount you spend each time you shop at Ralphs.

This annual program runs from September 1 through August 31. So we must renew our participation in the program and re-designate SOCCGS to receive your donations, or to join in if you are not yet involved. Beginning September 1, please go to Ralphs website and follow the instructions below to renew your registration or to register for the first time.

First, you need to have a Ralphs Rewards Card. You obtain one the next time you visit your Ralphs market. Once you have your card, you need to register online. Go to www.Ralphs.com and click on the "Sign In/Register" link in the upper right corner of the page.

Most participants are new online customers, so you must click on "Sign up today!" in the "New Customer?" box.

Sign up for a Ralphs Account by entering your zip code, clicking on your favorite store, entering your e-mail address and creating a password, and agreeing to the terms and conditions.

You will then get a message to check your e-mail inbox and click on the link within the body of the e-mail message you received.

Click on "My Account" and use your e-mail address and password to proceed to the next step.

Click on "Edit Community Contribution Program Information" and input your Ralphs REWARDS card number. (It is a 12-digit number.)

Update or confirm your information.

Enter the NPO number or name of organization (South Orange County California Genealogical Society), or select organization from list and click on confirm. (The NPO number for SOCCGS is 91293). To verify you are enrolled correctly, you will see your organization’s name on the right side of your information page.

If you are a customer who uses your phone number at the register, you can call 800-660-9003 to get your REWARDS card number. If you are interested in the alternate SCANBAR method of member registration, please call 800-443-4438 and a SCANBAR letter will be mailed to you.

You must swipe your registered Ralphs REWARDS card (or use the phone number that is connected to the card) when shopping for each purchase to count. Remember that purchases will not count to provide funds for SOCCGS until after you re-register your Ralphs card.

Please re-register on or after September 1. Please consider participating in this valuable program if you are not already doing so. If you have any difficulty or need help with the instructions, feel free to contact David Flint at [email protected] or 949-551-6300.

August Meeting

Guests among the nearly ninety persons in attendance were: Christine Murtha and Lorraine Kobett, Mission Viejo and Mary LaVenture, Laguna Hills. Also visiting was Carol Haynes from Stuthers, Ohio who is in the area to be with her mother, member, Elma Massie. Elma has been ill and we wish her well.

Several members shared brick walls and research suggestions at the August 2009 meeting. Karyn Schumaker reported that Footnote.com is free for two weeks until the end of August. (Too late as of now, however they make this offer several times a year. We will try to keep you posted) Footnote.com is always free in the genealogy section of the Mission Viejo Library! Cost to print is ten cents per page. The National Archives also has Footnote.com and printing is free. Joyce Van Schaack talked to us about Constitution Day, which falls on Thursday, September 17. People are urged to rings bells at 1:00 PM in celebration. Mission San Juan Capistrano will be participating. A docent tour of the Mission is available for $7.00. You may join the DAR for lunch that day at the Cedar Creek Inn near the Mission. Paul Horning is having good luck finding old books through Google Books. Annabelle Farago has found success using books from the BYU website. Diane Hearn had a question about using genealogy software on a Mac. Melbournia Pittman shared the sadness of many small towns seeing the demise of small stores as their town grew and larger chain stores arrived. The small shop owner’s knowledge of his/her customers and the personal interactions were missed.

"An Ancestor I Wish I Had Known"

~Patricia Nostrome

My paternal grandfather came from "the Iberian World although not the Iberian Peninsula." He came with his parents and three of his younger brothers. They migrated from the "volcanic archipelago known in mythology as the remnants of the lost continent Atlantis, the Azores."

Manuel Vieira Anselmo was born on 15 June 1866 on the Island of San Miguel in the Portuguese controlled Azores Islands. He was the son of Jacinto Vieira Anselmo, a small farmer and Maria Jose a native cloth weaver. They lived in the district of Ribeira Seca in the city of Ribeira Grande in the diocese of Angra on the street of Valeas. By the time he died on 16 October 1948 he had traveled far and endured much but never complained.

When, in 1877, the Hawaiian government needed sugar cane workers they offered to pay transportation costs for anyone wanting to immigrate from the Madeira Islands and the Island of Sao Miguel in the Azores. From 1878 to 1899, 12,780 people emigrated from those islands to Hawaii. Another 1,652 came from the mainland of Portugal. They had to work in the sugar cane fields for 36 months for which the men earned $10 a month and the women, $6.50. The also were given lodging, rations and medical care. The young children were received schooling.

When the British Bark "Highflyer" arrived in Honolulu April 30, 1881 after leaving from London from Downs on November 19, 1880 (131 days) my grandfather would be on it. Twenty-six days out of England the Highflyer took on passengers in St. Michaels and sailed for Honolulu 19 December. At St. Michaels, 242 men and women, 86 children, 22 under six months joined the passengers. There were 13 deaths on the voyage.

Manuel Vieira Anselmo, the oldest child at 12 years of age, traveled with his father, mother and the next two oldest brothers as well as the three year old brother. Two younger brothers were left behind to take later trips.

Why did they leave their ancestral homes for Hawaii? Most were uneducated peasants who farmed the land of another. Their lives and those of their ancestors were unchanged for generations. Poverty was widespread throughout the Azores and Madeira Islands. They had little chance of improving their station in life. Contract labor on the plantation gave them something they never had—hope.

Shown in the 1890 Hawaiian Census, Big Island of Hawaii, Hamakua district, my grandfather labored with the rest of his family. As the oldest child, Manuel had no chance for the little schooling which was given the youngest children. He was twelve on arrival and was put to work with the men. Advancement was based on race. Since the Portuguese were of the white race they could end up in higher positions but only American born men held positions at the top of the ladder.

Times became more and more uncertain in Hawaii. In 1893 a revolution deposed Queen Liliuokalani. The Anselmo family finally left that year for San Francisco where they heard there were jobs. However, even after working for approximately twelve years in the Sandwich Islands they didn’t have enough money saved to all go at once. The parents and younger children went first. The older men came later when they could save enough money. By October 15 of 1893 the parents, nine brothers and one sister were all living, working or going to school in Pleasanton, California. The youngest had a chance for an education.

The Hawaiian Islands became a United States Territory in 1898 thus ending the Hawaiian penal contract labor system under which most immigrants had arrived. Would they have a better life in California?

Being the oldest child my grandfather had to help support the younger children and the family when his father became more unreliable. On April 28, 1901, in spite of always being the responsible one, he was finally able to marry Mary Dutra, an eighteen year old immigrant from the Azores Island of Pico. These were happy years for him. A hard worker, he bought a lot and built a little house. They had a daughter Julia, sons Manuel and Joseph. Unfortunately Julia and Manuel died at age 6 and 5 when an epidemic struck. Manuel and Mary lost several babies but finally had another son Louis, my father, and daughter Elizabeth and baby George. Mary developed Diabetes and little could be done. She died in 1925. Louis was eleven and stayed with his father. Babies, Elizabeth and George, were taken to live with Mary’s sisters, Catherine and Mariana, who had both married Anselmo brothers. Catherine and William took George and Mariana and Joseph took Elizabeth, So Manuel lost not only his wife but the two babies as well.

The oldest boy Joseph went in the Navy. No one ever heard Grandpa never complain. He worked almost his whole life and died when he went to repair his leaking roof after a rain and fell off.

Four-Step Organization

~Julianna Smith

One of the more challenging aspects of family history is keeping everything organized. Records, computer prints from online collections, and notes can quickly add up and turn into piles that threaten to take over your workspace. Nothing will bring your research to a screeching halt like not being able to locate that one piece of information you need. Let’s take a look at a few steps we can take that will lead to more productive research.

Devise a filing scheme. Whether you use file folders or binders, the most important step you can take is to have a consistent filing scheme. You may choose to keep the files for each person separate, filed alphabetically. Color-coded folders or paper can help make certain branches easy to pick out.

Perhaps your system is more family-oriented, with each family in a separate binder. When an ancestor moves out of their parents’ home, they get their own binder. Siblings and other collateral relatives get their own divided section at the back of the family’s binder. Arranging records chronologically within each section allows you to see events unfold as you page through the records.

Choose a system that will be easy for you to keep up. With folders or binders that are easily accessible, you’ll be more likely stay organized as you go along.

Start sorting. If you’ve got a huge stack of papers waiting to be filed, don’t try to put everything in its place all at once. You can make your project more manageable by doing a quick pre-sort. Sort all of the papers by surname first, and then once they’re all separated, you can pick one pile and start incorporating them into your file system. You’ll only need to work with a small set of folders or binders and staying focused on one family allows you to do a little reviewing as you go along. Keep your to-do list handy because you’re sure to run across some new leads.

Update your electronic files. Once we find a record, we’ll do that little happy dance, and then put it in its proper place. But don’t overlook your electronic files. Make sure you update your electronic files at the same time that you file the physical pages. Keeping your online tree current allows you to check details quickly without having to pull out your files. Online trees have the added benefit of being an offsite back-up of your family history in case of disaster.

Find a home for the "maybes." As you research, you’re going to stumble across other people in the areas in which your ancestors lived who may be related. Of course you don’t want to discard these "maybes," but saving them means extra papers lying around. Find a home for them until you can prove or disprove a relationship. Start a "Maybe" or "Misc." section at the back of a binder. Or perhaps give them a binder of their own, with dividers that separate each surname. Giving them their own place will make it easier to lay your hands on their records when you run across that detail that finally connects them to your tree.

Now that you’ve organized your files, it’s time for some fun. You probably have a list of items you want to investigate, and if not, just give your newly organized files a quick review. New content continues to be added to online collections, so what are you waiting for? It’s time to dig in and start searching for those ancestors.

Membership

New members who joined at the August meeting are: Richard Merritt, Mission Viejo and Mary Jo Vincent, San Clemente. Richard is looking for Merritt, Westchester County, New York (1800's). He can be contacted at [email protected]. Mary Jo is searching Parker, Vincent, Koster, Blachly, Randall, Ellis, Gaiter, Evans and Carrie (also spelled as Queret or Cary). Contact her at [email protected].

"You might want to check this out."
GenealogyWise.com

"This website is an open network that allows anyone to join and create social groups within the genealogy-focused community. The innovative and easy-to-use platform opens the doors of social networking to millions around the world who are interested in sharing their passion for family history and in meeting new people who share that passion." Leland Metzler

Note: Herb Abrams & Mary Jo McQueen have joined. Anyone else?

Correction: Tannahill to Burns

In the August 2009 issue of this newsletter Sandy Crowley wrote, "Helen Burns Tannahill’s parents. Helen was the daughter of James Tannahill and Marrion Pollock," Please note that Helen was the daughter of James Burns and Marion Pollock.

I Could Be Wrong About Some Things

~David Servant
"While theoretically and technically television may be feasible, commercially and financially
I consider it an impossibility, a development of which we need waste little time dreaming."
~Lee DeForest, American radio pioneer and inventor of the vacuum tube, 1926

"Websites of Interest to Genealogists"
http://tinyurl.com/lufdd9
	Online Canadian Naturalizations (Index) for 1915-1932.
http://www.geneabloggers.com/search-geneablogger-member-blogs/ http://www.geneamusings.com/2009/07/geneabloggers-members-google-search.html
	Search 500 Genealogy Blogs.
http://www.familyhistory101.com
	County Formation Maps: click on "Maps", and then click on "County Formation Maps". This is a fabulous site where you can track the evolution of county lines from year to year. It could be very useful to your research.
http://harvardmagazine.com/2009/07/who-killed-the-men-england?page=1
	Interesting reading. Shows what DNA can tell us about history and populations.
http://www.bmdindex.co.uk/info.htm
	England and Wales Birth, Marriage, Death Records.
www.thePeerage.com
	A genealogical survey of the peerage of Britain, as well as the royal families of Europe.

Territorial Records at NARA

~ Kathie Mauzey

In her presentation at the August meeting Kathleen Trevena talked about the territories created before statehood. The early Territorial Records are on microfilm at the National Archives at Laguna Niguel. You have to request them at the desk as they are in the stacks. In the 1940's this was a project to index the records and put them in book form. The names, places, events are indexed in each volume. This is the microfilm of the books. I don't know if they are available online. If you go to the NARA site and query M721 it should give you a description of the series.

I was looking for information on a Britain Williams in Missouri Territory and found him listed on a petition in 1806, that put him in the area about 6 years earlier than I had for him.

What’s New At The Library?

A two volume set "The History of Woburn, Middlesex County, MA" by Samuel Sewall
A three volume set of books on Cambridge, Middlesex, MA

"The Records of the Town of Cambridge (formerly Newtowne) Massachusetts 1630-1703"

"History of Cambridge, MA 1630-1877"

"History of Cambridge, MA 1630-1877" with a Genealogical Register, Supplement & Index

"A History of Hertfordshire" by Tony Rook
"Historic Gleanings in Windham County, CT" by Ellen D. Larned
Three Family Histories:

"Halsey Genealogy Since 1395 A.D." by David Halsey

"Descendants of Edward Howell (1584-1655) of Westbury Manor, Marsh Gibbon, Buckinshamshire and Southampton, Long Island, New York" by Emma Howell Ross

"The Autobiography of Henry Fowle of Boston (1766-1837)

Help ***** Need Docents ***** Help

There is a vacancy on Thursday 5:30 to 8:00 pm. Subs are needed to fill Nellie Domenick’s duties on the following dates. Tuesday, 10 to 1 on September 15, 22, 29 and October 6, 13, 20, 27. Also Friday, 1 to 4 on September 18 & 20 and October 16, 23 & 30. Please call Bunny Smith (949-472-8046) if you are available. Thank You!

Surname List
https://sites.rootsweb.com/~casoccgs/

Members, please check your information on the SOCCGS Surname Website. If corrections and/or additions are necessary notify Herb at [email protected] or (949) 581-6292). New members may add their information by sending an email to Herb listing surnames, locations and years being researched.

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Please use the Form below to register for the October Seminar.

2009 GENEALOGY COMING ATTRACTIONS

September 26 - North San Diego county Genealogy Society plans a Fall Seminar, "Unexpected Journeys". Presentations: "What’s in a Name?" "What We Learned on the Way to Proving Something That Wasn’t True", What Did I Just See?" and "Fortune Favors the Prepared Mind." Contact: Nina Anderson, [email protected] or (760) 599-9958.
October 10 - British Isles Family History Society-USA presents the 2009 Seminar featuring Judith Eccles Wright at Noski Auditorium, Cal State Northridge. Information and/or registration: www.bifhsusa.org or Kay R. Devonshire (310) 399-3188, [email protected].
October 17 - SOCCGS 7th Annual Seminar featuring Paula Stewart Warren. Contact Bill Bluett, (949) 492-9408 or [email protected].
October 24 - Hemet-San Jacinto Genealogical Society presents classes featuring Susanne Russo Adams & Larry Bowles: "Personalizing Google To Fit Your Genealogical Research," "What’s New On Ancestry." "Searching Techniques on Ancestry" and "Google Gadgets for Genealogy." Information: http://www.hsjgs.org.

Member Badges

Would you like a badge holder without a pin? You may pick one up at the check-in table at the next meeting. Bring your current badge and make the change. Don’t have one? Sign up and Herb will make you one. New members may contact Herb at [email protected] and he will have one ready at the next meeting. Up to six surnames may be included on the badge.

Newsletter Submissions

Please send ancestor stories, web site information or items of special interest to the newsletter editor by Wednesday following the monthly meeting. These may be sent via email or Word attachment and must be 800 words or less. All submissions are subject to editorial approval, and may be edited for content or space. Articles should be of genealogical significance. Complete stories, outlines and/or rough drafts will be accepted. Send to: [email protected]

SOCCGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President _________________________	Sandy Crowley____________________	[email protected]
Vice President, Seminar Chairman & Safari Coordinator ________	Bill Bluett ________________________	[email protected]
Recording Secretary ________________	Cindie Reily _______________________	[email protected]
Corresponding Secretary ____________	Pat Weeks _______________________	[email protected]
Treasurer & Newsletter Editor ________	Mary Jo McQueen _________________	[email protected]
Membership ______________________	Jack Naylor ______________________	[email protected]
Publicity/Webmaster _______________	Herb Abrams _____________________	[email protected]
Librarian _________________________	Bunny Smith _____________________	[email protected]
Parliamentarian ___________________	Charles & Patricia Nostrome _________	[email protected]
Hospitality _______________________	Barbara Heebner __________________ Eunice Muari ______________________	[email protected] [email protected]
Historian ________________________	Barbara Wilgus ____________________	[email protected]
Ways & Means __________________	David Flint ________________________	[email protected]

SOCCGS Website @ https://sites.rootsweb.com/~casoccgs/

Mail List: [email protected]

SOCCGS Library within the Mission Viejo Library;

Marguerite Parkway at LaPaz, (949) 470-8498

SOCCGS E-mail: [email protected]

SOCCGS ‘2009’ Seminar Registration
Name(s)______________________________________________________	Registration: _______ @ $20.00
____________________________________________________________	Box Lunch: _________ @ $9.00
Address:______________________________________________________	Total: $ ___________
City & Zip_____________________________________________________
Telephone:____________________________________________________
E-mail________________________________________________________

Mail to: SOCCGS, P.O. Box 4513	Information: (949) 492-9408 or
Mission Viejo, CA 92690-4513	https://sites.rootsweb.com/~casoccgs/

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