Last Wednesday (June 15), David Zwahr gave a presentation about Masonic records and how to use them for genealogy purposes. Many of you may recognize David from his many research trips to the library on Wednesday and his work with Lynna Kay Shuffield.
The presentation was full of very useful information that many of our customers may be interested in:
There are many histories of lodges compiled by members of Masonic groups and some of the Grand Lodges. Each state has a Grand Lodge that records the initial application for membership, payment of dues, offices held, transfers, and any demits. Original applications and paperwork are held by the individual Lodge Secretaries through the Lodges. Original petition for membership (application) has some information about the candidate and his family, such as fathers name and where the father was born. Also, since 1955 an original birth certificate is required to be turned in with the petition. An explanation of name changes is also required to be disclosed on the form.
When a lodge closed down, the records of the lodge were supposed to be transferred to the Grand Lodge Secretary for storage at the Grand Lodge.
The best way to start looking for Texas Masonic heritage is to contact the Grand Lodge of Texas. The website for the Grand Lodge of Texas is http://www.grandlodgeoftexas.org/. There is also a Grand Lodge Library and Museum in Waco that has much information.
Upon request and the appropriate fee, the Grand Lodge of Texas will send a researcher an index card with compiled information about the membership activity of a member in Texas. With this information, the researcher can then contact the secretary of the lodge that the ancestor belonged to and request information from the original petition for membership. Not all lodges allow copies of the petitions or other documents. Many only allow digital photography or copying of the information.
In addition, many lodges keep photographs of members which could be the only surviving photograph of ancestors. This could also be a benefit of contacting the lodge secretary.
Other resources of information about ancestors include:
Proceedings of Grand Lodge of Texas from 1837 onward
Transactions Texas Lodge of Research
Roster of Members (published every five years)
There is also the Houston Masonic Library and Museum http://www.houstonmasonilibrary.org/.
Hope the information is useful to some of you!
Heather
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Extreme Reference: Latin Phrases
A very nice lady approached the reference desk yesterday asking for some help translating Latin phrases in Catholic church records. She was new to genealogy and had never looked at Catholic church records in Latin before. After explaining some of the more common words, such as natum (birth), baptizum (baptism), and sponsores (godparents), we came across a few phrases that I had not seen before:
"anno aetatis suae" = in the year of his age" (used for indicating how old someone was when they died, such as 80 years, 5 months, and one day)
"levantibus" = slang for godparents
Heather
"anno aetatis suae" = in the year of his age" (used for indicating how old someone was when they died, such as 80 years, 5 months, and one day)
"levantibus" = slang for godparents
Heather
Monday, June 6, 2011
Illinois Database of Freed Slaves
The state of Illinois has compiled a little-known database that can provide a lot of help to genealogists. A freed slave was required to carry a certificate to prove he or she was free and not a runaway. Those certificates, called “free Negro bonds,” had to be submitted to the county and, today, provide some of the information for an online database.
Archivists working under the auspices of the secretary of state’s office maintain the Servitude and Emancipation Record Database (www.ilsos.gov/GenealogyMWeb/servfrm.html) that contains historical records, many of them documenting freed slaves who settled in Illinois.
You can learn more in an article by Dave Bakke in The State Journal-Register at http://goo.gl/BDFwA.
From Dick Eastman's Online Genealogical Newsletter 5 June 2011
http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2011/06/illinois-database-of-freed-slaves.html
Archivists working under the auspices of the secretary of state’s office maintain the Servitude and Emancipation Record Database (www.ilsos.gov/GenealogyMWeb/servfrm.html) that contains historical records, many of them documenting freed slaves who settled in Illinois.
You can learn more in an article by Dave Bakke in The State Journal-Register at http://goo.gl/BDFwA.
From Dick Eastman's Online Genealogical Newsletter 5 June 2011
http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2011/06/illinois-database-of-freed-slaves.html
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Vinegar Syndrome Microfilm
As many of you know several rolls of microfilm have been removed from upstairs because of deterioration. All of the rolls that have been removed are marked in the microprint database and finding aids. The rolls that can be duplicated have been sent off to the company for duplication and we do not have a current time frame on when they will be ready. The rolls that could not be duplicated because of the damage being too extensive have been properly disposed of and we are looking into replacing them as funding allows.
Ashley
Ashley
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Zytron training for staff
Hi!
Over the next few days everyone is going to receive one on one training on the ELMOs from either Ashley or myself. We know that they have been a source of confusion or frustration for not only staff but our customers also. We hope that the training will answer some of the questions. Our goal is to leave everyone feeling more confident in providing excellent customer service using them!
During training you will learn how to:
Questions are welcome during the training! It may be helpful to compile a list of the two or three most important things you need to perform your job. However, by no means limit yourself to two or three if you have more!
Heather
Over the next few days everyone is going to receive one on one training on the ELMOs from either Ashley or myself. We know that they have been a source of confusion or frustration for not only staff but our customers also. We hope that the training will answer some of the questions. Our goal is to leave everyone feeling more confident in providing excellent customer service using them!
During training you will learn how to:
- Respond to repeated error messages and successfully navigate through the ScanWrite software
- Create normal and high resolution images
- Print documents using the administration controls through the printers
- Suggestions and tips for providing customer service using the ELMOs
Questions are welcome during the training! It may be helpful to compile a list of the two or three most important things you need to perform your job. However, by no means limit yourself to two or three if you have more!
Heather
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Texas Birth Certificates 1903-1934 on FamilySearch
Hello there,
FamilySearch has a new database for Texas Birth Certificates from 1903-1934. You'll need to have a FamilySearch account to be able to view the actual images, but accounts are free and easy to set up. I did some investigating to find out how comprehensive and complete the database actually was. The following list shows the total number of records for each year of coverage of the database (as of 03/23/11):
1903 - 1910: less than 100 records for any one year
1911: 12,300
1912: 26,822
1913: 69,718
1914: 60,872
1915: 65,440
1916: 61,863
1917: 72,418
1918: 87,572
1919: 71,873
1920: 69,254
1921 - 1934: less than 100 records for any one year
Observations: For the early years (1903-1910) there are often separate birth registers maintained by the counties that are NOT a part of the statewide collection of births and deaths maintained in Austin (this is true for Harris County), so that could explain, in part, why those numbers are so low. For the later years (1921-1934), I assume that they just haven't gotten around to those yet, as this is a work in progress. I'm guessing that the spike in births between 1917-1919 probably had something to do with a World War I baby boom... Anyway, in conclusion, if you let patrons know about this database, be sure to pass along the known limitations... and don't forget what we have on microfilm and on Footnote for 1903-1909 and 1926-1929.
Happy Hunting!
Steven
FamilySearch has a new database for Texas Birth Certificates from 1903-1934. You'll need to have a FamilySearch account to be able to view the actual images, but accounts are free and easy to set up. I did some investigating to find out how comprehensive and complete the database actually was. The following list shows the total number of records for each year of coverage of the database (as of 03/23/11):
1903 - 1910: less than 100 records for any one year
1911: 12,300
1912: 26,822
1913: 69,718
1914: 60,872
1915: 65,440
1916: 61,863
1917: 72,418
1918: 87,572
1919: 71,873
1920: 69,254
1921 - 1934: less than 100 records for any one year
Observations: For the early years (1903-1910) there are often separate birth registers maintained by the counties that are NOT a part of the statewide collection of births and deaths maintained in Austin (this is true for Harris County), so that could explain, in part, why those numbers are so low. For the later years (1921-1934), I assume that they just haven't gotten around to those yet, as this is a work in progress. I'm guessing that the spike in births between 1917-1919 probably had something to do with a World War I baby boom... Anyway, in conclusion, if you let patrons know about this database, be sure to pass along the known limitations... and don't forget what we have on microfilm and on Footnote for 1903-1909 and 1926-1929.
Happy Hunting!
Steven
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Vital Records on Footnote (now Fold3)
Hi there,
Footnote has started adding vital records to the database holdings. These databases have the actual certificate image. Right now there are only three vital records databases:
Cuyahoga County Birth Returns (OH) 1871-1908 - mostly for the City of Cleveland. 100% complete.
Texas Births, 1903-1910; 1926-1929. 51% complete.
Texas Deaths 1890-1976. 64% complete.
So while the Texas databases are only about half completed right now, in the future they will be fully available. This means that there is an alternative for those of you that do not like logging into a FamilySearch account.
To access the vital records, go to the Footnote mainpage available through the HPL website. Click on BROWSE, which is right next to the main search box. Then scroll to VITAL RECORDS and click on it. All three databases will then appear. Select either TEXAS BIRTHS or TEXAS DEATHS. All the counties then show up alphabetically to choose from. However, in the top right corner there is an option to SEARCH WITHIN. Upon selecting this, a search box will appear for you to type in the name that you are searching.
Just a word of caution, the search feature in Footnote is not as precise as that in FamilySearch. Sometimes you will not retreive the certificate if the name is not spelled correctly or if it includes the middle name. When this happens, try searching by last name only or go the Texas Deaths Index in ancestry. The search feature in FamilySearch is still better at finding round about spellings, middle names, and parents.
Footnote has started adding vital records to the database holdings. These databases have the actual certificate image. Right now there are only three vital records databases:
Cuyahoga County Birth Returns (OH) 1871-1908 - mostly for the City of Cleveland. 100% complete.
Texas Births, 1903-1910; 1926-1929. 51% complete.
Texas Deaths 1890-1976. 64% complete.
So while the Texas databases are only about half completed right now, in the future they will be fully available. This means that there is an alternative for those of you that do not like logging into a FamilySearch account.
To access the vital records, go to the Footnote mainpage available through the HPL website. Click on BROWSE, which is right next to the main search box. Then scroll to VITAL RECORDS and click on it. All three databases will then appear. Select either TEXAS BIRTHS or TEXAS DEATHS. All the counties then show up alphabetically to choose from. However, in the top right corner there is an option to SEARCH WITHIN. Upon selecting this, a search box will appear for you to type in the name that you are searching.
Just a word of caution, the search feature in Footnote is not as precise as that in FamilySearch. Sometimes you will not retreive the certificate if the name is not spelled correctly or if it includes the middle name. When this happens, try searching by last name only or go the Texas Deaths Index in ancestry. The search feature in FamilySearch is still better at finding round about spellings, middle names, and parents.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Google Books proposed copyright lawsuit settlement
Hi all,
Google entered into settlement negotiations in November of 2009. The current settlement plan includes a few things that WILL be relevant to us in the library.
Heather
Google entered into settlement negotiations in November of 2009. The current settlement plan includes a few things that WILL be relevant to us in the library.
- Out-of-copyright books will still be viewable through Google Books
- In-copyright material will be available for individual purchase and viewable through Google Books (requires internet connection and does not download to personal computers)
- Libraries and universities will have the option to purchase a subscription to view all texts in their intirety
- Find in a library feature will be still be available for all books
- Snippet view will still be available for all books
Heather
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Coming Soon! Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900
Rev War pension records (both selected and non selected)are now available on Ancestry! I was so excited to see the database because of the DAR ladies that so frequently visit us. However, I looked for it on Ancestry Library Edition and it is not added as a databse yet. It is definitely available through a personal subscription through. I am sure it will be available in the Library Edition soon.
For the moment, the index is available on Familysearchlabs and the actual images are available through Footnote. One thing I did notice is that the Ancestry images are much cleaner and clearer than those on Footnote.
The images of Revolutionary War Pension Records on Footnote have to be selected through the Revolutionary War Archive on the top drop down menu (currently there are five archives to choose). One cool feature is scrolling over the image with the cursor and having names highlighte for you. Then you can search the different names and follow individual and troop movements by reading the different affidavits given in pension files. In other words, compare and contrast what people say about where they were and what they were doing to complete the story.
The index to Revolutionary War Pension Files on Familysearchlabs is still really helpful as it allows to search by a soundex or 'round about spelling. This is not a feature through Footnote.
For the moment, the index is available on Familysearchlabs and the actual images are available through Footnote. One thing I did notice is that the Ancestry images are much cleaner and clearer than those on Footnote.
The images of Revolutionary War Pension Records on Footnote have to be selected through the Revolutionary War Archive on the top drop down menu (currently there are five archives to choose). One cool feature is scrolling over the image with the cursor and having names highlighte for you. Then you can search the different names and follow individual and troop movements by reading the different affidavits given in pension files. In other words, compare and contrast what people say about where they were and what they were doing to complete the story.
The index to Revolutionary War Pension Files on Familysearchlabs is still really helpful as it allows to search by a soundex or 'round about spelling. This is not a feature through Footnote.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Google Books
Hi everyone,
For those that have not tried Google Books before, it is a pretty awesome reference tool. In the past few weeks, I have used it a number of times to find books (and one periodical) that were not available in the local area. Many of the books digitized by Google are the older county histories or historical books of a given area which is perfect for genealogists searching by name and location. Sometimes only snapshots of the book are available, but there is also a link to WorldCat.
Other additional features include creating a personal account and adding books to a personal bookshelf that can be shared via social networking sites. The books are available in .pdf which means that the whole book has to be downloaded to view, which can take some time on our computers. However, the benefits far outweigh any negatory stuff.
It's cool! Check it out!
Heather
For those that have not tried Google Books before, it is a pretty awesome reference tool. In the past few weeks, I have used it a number of times to find books (and one periodical) that were not available in the local area. Many of the books digitized by Google are the older county histories or historical books of a given area which is perfect for genealogists searching by name and location. Sometimes only snapshots of the book are available, but there is also a link to WorldCat.
Other additional features include creating a personal account and adding books to a personal bookshelf that can be shared via social networking sites. The books are available in .pdf which means that the whole book has to be downloaded to view, which can take some time on our computers. However, the benefits far outweigh any negatory stuff.
It's cool! Check it out!
Heather
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