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Saddleback Valley Trails |
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South Orange County California Genealogical Society |
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Vol. 17 No. 10 |
P.O. Box 4513, Mission Viejo, CA. 92690 |
October 2010 |
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Editor: Mary Jo McQueen |
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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. |
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SEMINAR
October 16, 2010
"Revolutionary War Genealogy"
"German Emigration, Immigration, and Migration Patterns"
"Rivers to Trails to Roads to Canals to Trains"
"Questions and Answers"
Introducing Dr. George K. Schweitzer
| Dr. Schweitzer is an Alumni Distinguished Professor at the University of Tennessee. Today he stands as the longest-serving faculty member (over 60 years) in the history of the school. Over the decades, Dr. Schweitzer’s wit and wisdom has converted many to the cause of history and genealogy. He has authored 220 publications including 19 genealogical guidebooks. He uses historical reenactment (in full costume) to teach genealogy and has lectured to well over 200 genealogical and historical societies in the U.S, Canada, England, and Germany. He has traced many of his ancestral lines back to the early 1500,s. For those of you who have not attended one of Dr. Schweitzer’s presentations, you will find this to be a significant genealogical experience. After the lectures, there will be an opportunity to ask him questions. Since they do not have to relate to the day’s presentations, you may want to bring one of those “stumbling blocks” with you! |
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Safari News |
| We last visited the Los Angeles Regional Family History Center in April 2008. Since that time the facility has undergone a complete remodeling and renovation. On October 27th those who take part in the safari will be able to see the changes and take advantage of the vast genealogy resources offered. Go to www.larfhc.org/, where you can search for books, film and fiche available in the Center. This will enable you to better plan the day. The car(s) will leave the LDS parking lot at 9 a.m. Bring a brown-bag lunch, $$ for your driver and dinner on the way home. |
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Put some fun into your Genealogy Research. Join a SOCCGS Safari. |
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"If the riches
of the Indies, or the crowns of all the kingdom of Europe, |
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~ Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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President's Message |
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~Sandy Crowley |
| The September meeting brought
us one of our favorite speakers, Joan Rambo, who shared information
on “Getting The Most out of Non-Genealogical Libraries.” Some highlights
included how to use the Orange County Public Law Library to peruse
the Decennial Edition of the American Digest: A Complete Table of
American Cases From 1658-1906. These are appellate (appealed) cases.
We learned that university and college libraries use the Library of Congress numbering system and not the Dewey Decimal system. Joan provided us with both the Dewey Decimal numbers and the Library of Congress numbers for each state. Libraries using the Dewey Decimal system and not having a special genealogy collection will most likely place most genealogy related materials in the 920’s, i.e. Family Histories 929.2, Genealogical Sources 929.3, and Heraldry 929.6. Joan gave ideas on using public libraries, including this handy tip: Change the Dewey history number to a Dewey travel number. Insert the number one just after the nine, thus changing 976.4 for Texas history to 917.64 for Texas travel. Travel books often tell about old ghost towns. They also may have pictures of old cemeteries, and give directions to them. If you missed the meeting, stop by the Mission Viejo library to pick up a copy of Joan’s hand out which includes much more data. Thanks to our Hospitality Chairmen Barbara Heebner and Eunice Murai and those who provided snacks for the meeting: Joan Petrime, Mary-Ellen Syer, Rex Ketter, Joy Allen, Donna Hobbs, Barbara Wilgus and Mary Lou Brascia. Hope to see you at our October Seminar, with speaker Dr. George Schweitzer! |
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Brick Walls & Genealogy Research Suggestions |
| Tom Corning has not only
found an ancestor who married two cousins, one in 1846 and the other
in 1862, but both women had the same name. Jim Thordahl has found that Ancestry.com has a great link to Nova Scotia records. Jim recently interviewed his 102 year-old cousin, Beulah. Jim first met her younger brother, and then heard about Beulah from that brother’s son. Joan Rambo reminded us to never overlook even the smallest items. She found a small hand-written booklet in the library in Salt Lake City. When looking through these few pages she found her Thomas Jones from East Tennessee. She also found his daughter, Jemima’s, birth and marriage dates and her husband’s name. Verl Nash shared some history of the Connecticut Pequot Indians in 1637, and their interactions with some settlers who fought them. Thomas Nash, gunsmith, who was involved in this area and time had descendant’s who married descendants of other settlers from that same time period…some 200 years later. (See the written version of Verl’s story elsewhere in this newsletter.) |
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Membership |
| Please welcome, Ronald Holst, our newest member. He lives in San Juan Capistrano. Email [email protected] |
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Google Workshops |
| Francie Kennedy is scheduled to conduct Google Workshops at 10 a.m. on October 22 and November 19. Signups were taken at the September meeting and may be full. However, you may contact Francie to add your name to the waiting list. 949-487-4304 or [email protected]. The workshops will be held in the SOCCGS Research Center in the Mission Viejo Library. |
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Newsletter Submissions |
| Do you have a query, research tip, website, or a special ancestor, who’s story you would be willing to share? Please submit to the newsletter editor by the fourth Wednesday of the month for inclusion in the next newsletter. Articles are best at 900 words or less, however exceptions are allowed. Please note: leave only one space after punctuation at the end of a sentence. Please send as a word document. Mary Jo McQueen – [email protected] |
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"A Day At The Seminar" |
| Eileen Merchant, Lee Kraft,
Gary Schwarz will greet you at the Book Sale Table, which is
a ways & means project for the SOCCGS. Genealogy related books and
magazines, fiction and non-fiction books will be offered for sale.
All of the periodicals cleared from the genealogy section of the
library are included in the sale. Karla Houlihan - A Personal Publishing Consultant with Heritage Makers will share information and samples. Heritage Makers is committed to helping people archive and organize their photos and memorabilia, write their stories, and preserve their heritage. After all the time and effort put into researching your family heritage, Karla can help ensure that your final summary of your family’s story is presented in a professionally bound, library quality, hard cover book that can be enjoyed by generations to come! Be sure to stop by and see what is available. For a preview, please visit the website, www.GenXphotoalbums.com. Bling! The Jewelry Table is back again this year. Karen Schumaker, Pat Christiansen 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 & Karen Rowell 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 historically accurate books written about her family are a wonderful read. They are entertaining and educational. A great combination! Jeff Fromberg - Website host of "A Tale Worth Telling" will assist individuals on how to create an oral, written, or video life history of an ancestor or themselves. Choosing the medium you want to work in, organizing your story, and conducting an interview are his areas of expertise. He is an expert videographer and life-story coach. You can see examples of his work at: www.ataleworthtelling.com 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 new 7.0 version of Legacy Family Tree includes many improvements and new features (with free online updates to Version 7.4 available). The Quilt - Barbara Wilgus & Ginny Jenkins 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 Research Center, 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 – Chuck & Pat Nostrome will display the many door prizes, which will be given during the day. Cindie Reilly 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! Dr. Schweitzer - Pat Weeks will at the sales table offering Dr. Schweitzer’s books and tapes. |
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As you can see, a “Day At The Seminar” will be a day well spent. |
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"I Could Be Wrong About Some Things" |
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~David Servant |
| "Dear Mr. President: The canal system of this country is being threatened by a new form of transportation known as 'railroads' ... As you may well know, Mr. President, 'railroad' carriages are pulled at the enormous speed of 15 miles per hour by 'engines' which, in addition to endangering life and limb of passengers, roar and snort their way through the countryside, setting fire to crops, scaring the livestock and frightening women and children. The Almighty certainly never intended that people should travel at such breakneck speed." -- Martin Van Buren, Governor of New York, 1865 |
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Ralph's Community Program |
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~David Flint - Ways & Means Chairman |
| SOCCGS has received a check in
the amount of $271.06 courtesy of thirty-four members who
shopped at Ralphs between June 1 and August 31. Don’t forget to sign up again. The current year ended August 31 and everyone who participates must renew his or her membership. See David Flint at the Seminar Legacy Table if you need a copy of the scanbar letter, the easiest way to sign up. |
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Rules and Regulations
Adopted At Racola School |
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| Done by order of the Board this the 3rd day of August 1896. Teacher H C Null and F T Bequette, Dist Clerk. |
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(Printed in The Diggin’s, Old Mines Area Historical Society, Summer 2010. Shared by Pat Weeks.) |
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Research Classes Online |
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~David Flint |
| FamilySearch now offers 81 free
lessons on FamilySearch.org
enabling people anywhere in the world to access family history expertise
any time. The topics range from basic research to training on specific
record types and can be beneficial to both beginners and experienced
researchers. Most of the classes come from research consultants
in the world-famous Family History Library in Salt Lake City, but
FamilySearch is also now working with partners to broaden the pool
of expertise. Following is a list of research subjects currently posted: England ( Beginning), Germany, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, (México) Principios básicos para la investigación genealógica en Hispanoamérica, Reading Handwritten Records Series (NEW), Research Principles and Tools (NEW), Russia Research and U.S. Research (NEW). These online classes are available at www.familysearch.org by clicking on Free Online Classes on the home page. The classes include video segments, research outlines and class handouts that can be download from the website. As Barbara Renick would say, “This is the kind of thing you can do at home in your pajamas and bunny slippers.” And it’s free! Why not give it a look? |
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The Virtual Wall
– Vietnam Veterans Memorial |
| This really is an amazing web
site. Someone spent a lot of time and effort to create it.
I hope that everyone who receives this appreciates what those who
served in Vietnam sacrificed for our country. The link above is a virtual wall of all those lost during the Vietnam war with the names, bio's and other information on our lost heroes. Those who remember that time frame, or perhaps lost friends or family can look them up on this site. Pass the link on to others, as many knew wonderful people whose names are listed. First click on a state. When it opens, scroll down to the city and the names will appear. Then click on their names. It should show you a picture of the person, or at least their bio and medals. |
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Glimpses of the Gold Rush in the 1852 California State Census |
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~Juliana Smith |
| The discovery of gold at Sutter’s
Mill in California in 1848 triggered a migration of more than 300,000
people seeking their fortunes in the gold fields. While a few made
their fortunes through side ventures like selling much-needed supplies
to the influx of miners, most worked very hard looking for gold
and wound up with very little. Browsing through the 1852 California State Census for a glimpse at the Gold Rush, I was struck by the diversity of the people. The census lists names and ages, as well as occupation, birthplace and last place of residence. The last residence is particularly helpful when used in conjunction with the 1850 census because it allows you to zero in on the time frame in which your gold rush ancestor made the trek to California. (View the 1852 California State Census on Ancestry.com at the SOCCGS Research Center.) News of the discovery traveled fastest by ship, and among the first arrivals were people from the Pacific Northwest, Sandwich Islands, Panamanians, South Americans, Chinese, and Australians. Every available means of transportation was employed and for those coming from the east coast of the U.S. or Europe, many chose to make the trip by sea, rather than face the long trek across the United States. But the voyage by sea had its perils as well. The sea voyage could mean a trip around Cape Horn, where ships were tossed in turbulent, windy, and iceberg-inhabited waters, often being blown near Antarctica. Skilled captains might be able to shorten the trip by traveling the Straits of Magellan, a sea passage around the tip of South America, but this too was considered a dangerous trip, because the narrowness of the passage at certain points made it difficult to navigate. The trip could take up to eight months and onboard conditions were horrid. Food spoiled quickly with the heat of the equator, and worms and rodents got into supplies. A shorter trip took passengers to Panama where they embarked on canoes to navigate the Chagres River. From there things were more difficult as the remainder of the passage to the Pacific meant a fifty-mile hike through the Panamanian jungle where travelers were at risk of contracting cholera, malaria, and yellow fever. Those who survived this leg of the journey often arrived in Panama City to find a shortage of ships. This meant that they would have to wait for sometimes weeks to obtain passage on a northbound ship to California. The Argonauts also faced dangers once they arrived in California, where accidents and violence were commonplace. With the flow of miners, disease followed too. It’s estimated that between 800-1,000 residents of Sacramento were killed by a wave of Asiatic cholera that arrived in 1850. It’s estimated that one in five miners died within six months of their arrival. We often hear tales of the men who left their families to seek fortune in the gold fields, and browsing the 1852 census does reveal mostly men in the mining camps. But it wasn’t only single men who made that dangerous journey to California. It was interesting to see children like those of the Richards family—William (age 18), Elizabeth (age 6), and Grace (age 3)—listed with their parents in the mining camp. I went back to the 1850 census and found them living in Wisconsin, where Elizabeth and Grace had been born. Can you imagine what it was like on the trail with two very young girls? With them in 1850 were two more boys—Edward (age 12) and John J. (age 9). It’s quite possible that they died on the journey to California. Curious as to the fate of the family, I looked them up in 1860 and found that while they were still in mining country, as evidenced by the many miners enumerated on the same page, they had returned to farming and now had $500 in real estate and their personal estate was valued as $500 as well. Perhaps they were among the lucky ones who found enough gold to buy some land to farm and made their living selling food to the miners who hadn’t given up their quest for gold. Like many state censuses, the 1852 California offers us a unique look at families in the years between federal censuses. Whether or not any of your family members were lured by the prospect of finding gold and perhaps a better life in California, the 1852 Census provides a fascinating and up-close view of a time when our nation caught “gold fever.” (The Weekly Discovery, 15 September 2010, Copyright 2010, Ancestry.com) |
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Go to www.familysearch.org for the latest news and updates. |
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"The Battle At Mystic" |
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~Verl D. Nash |
| In 1637, at Mystic, Connecticut
the Pequot Indians were defeated in a battle designed to do away
with the Tribe. The Pequot’s had not been very hospitable to the
settlers in southern Connecticut, so the Massachusetts government
decided to get rid of them. A Captain John Mason was the commander and had help from Captain John Underhill and a band of citizen soldiers from Hartford. The Hartford group brought along Reverend Samuel Stone, a preacher who was probably the first Chaplain in the colonies. When the group from Hartford arrived they asked to let Rev. Stone pray about the situation. He prayed for sometime, and following his prayer he met with Capt. Mason to discuss a possible strategy, which would allow the men from Hartford to rest for a night before starting an attack. Mason's first plan was to attack right away and use a frontal attack, however the plan changed to attack in the morning. Mason led the frontal attack and Underhill led the attack from the rear of the village. The Pequot’s were completely surprised and the battle went on with the Indians taking cover in their huts and firing their arrows through the openings. Stone ordered the village to be burned. Later, Underhill wrote about the battle and reported that the blood on the ground was boiling form the heat of the fires. The battle did not last long after the fires began. Only two colonists lost their lives and the wounded were carried back to their homes. Somehow, some of the Pequot’s escaped. Their descendants went to Congress in 1984 to ask permission for the Indians to set up casinos on their reservations to help pay for the services the Indians were receiving from the government. Permission was granted, even though the state of Connecticut did not allow gambling at that time. However, the Federal Government did. As a result other Reservations began casinos and this is why we have the Indian Casinos here in California Capt. Mason was honored with a statue at Mystic. Underhill was given the position of Military Advisor over the entire southern part of Connecticut and Rhode Island. When the Davenport group got to Quinnipiac (now New Haven) two years later, Thomas Nash, as the guardian of the muskets for his community, must have become acquainted with Capt. Underhill, and 212 years later their descendants married. They were my great grandparents, Charles Nash and Hannah Underhill. Reverend Stone's daughter, Rebekah, married Timothy Nash, son of Thomas Nash so I guess I am pretty closely related to the Mystic Battle. Remember, when you visit Pechanga, Pala, Morongo or other casinos if you win give Stone credit because some of the Indians escaped. If you lose blame Underhill because he didn't get 'em all. |
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(Some of this material is from First Encounter: The Indian and White Man in Connecticut by Chandler Whipple. |
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Upcoming 2010 & 2011 Genealogy Events |
| October 16 – SOCCGS’ Annual
Seminar featuring Dr George Schweitzer. October 23 - The Hemet-San Jacinto Genealogical Society will host Kerry Bartels & Lisa Cooke, speaking on: “The National Archives at Perris, CA”, “What You Must Know to Save Your Research From Destruction”, “Solving Family Tree Mysteries With Google Earth”, “The Many Facets of the National Archives Website”. Information at http://www.hsigs.org. November 6 – “Ancestry Novemberfest”, a free family history seminar 35 0 Wabash Ave., Redlands. Contact Belinda Knight January 29 – The Whittier Area Genealogical Society presents Lisa Louise Cooke at the 28th Annual Seminar. Ms. Cooke will present four topics: “Google Search Strategies,” “Google Earth & Maps for Genealogy,” “Genealogy Gems: Google Books & Google Toolbar,” and “Google Tools: iGoogle, Gmail, Google Alerts. For further information and registration contact Roger Mount (562) 693-2674, [email protected] or visit the WAGS web site at www.cagenweb.com/kr/wags. |
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National Archives at Riverside |
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23123 Cajalco Road |
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Do you need a name badge? |
| Wearing a name badge at the monthly meetings is an excellent way to meet new friends and/or possibly a “cousin.” These are provided to all members at no cost. Please contact Herb Abrams at (949) 581-6292 or [email protected]. He will have one ready at the next meeting. |
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SOCCGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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| President _________________________ | Sandy Crowley____________________ | [email protected] |
| Vice President,
Seminar & Safari Chairman _________________________ |
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] |
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SOCCGS Website @ https://sites.rootsweb.com/~casoccgs/ |
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Mail List: [email protected] |
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SOCCGS Research Center, Mission Viejo Library |
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Marguerite Parkway at LaPaz, (949) 470-8498 |
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SOCCGS E-mail: [email protected] |
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South Orange County California Genealogical Society Membership/Renewal Application |
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( ) New ( ) Renewal ( ) Individual, $20/yr. ( ) Joint Members, same address $25/yr. |
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Name(s) ________________________________________________________________________________ |
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Address _________________________________________________________________________________ |
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City _____________________________ State_____ Zip ____________ Phone _________________________ |
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Email address: ____________________________________________________________________________ |
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Make check payable to: SOCCGS (South Orange County CA Genealogical Society) |
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Mail with application to: SOCCGS, P.O. Box 4513, Mission Viejo, CA 92690-4513 |
SEND IN YOUR SEMINAR REGISTRATION TODAY!
Registrations must be received by October 13.
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SOCCGS ‘2010’ Seminar Registration |
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| Name(s)______________________________________________________ | Registration: _______ @ $20.00 |
| ____________________________________________________________ | Box Lunch: _________ @ $9.00 |
| Address:______________________________________________________ | Total: $ ___________ |
| City & Zip_____________________________________________________ | |
| Telephone:____________________________________________________ | |
| E-mail________________________________________________________ | |
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