Compiled by Jack & Sylvia Sonneborn, York, PA

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FREE WEEKEND OF ANCESTRY

FREE FREE FREE FREE

The genealogy research site Ancestry.com will be offering a FREE ACCESS WEEKEND. Search millions of immigration records, Census records, and many, many others for a FREE weekend. Labor Day weekend ONLY, September 2-6.

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Ancestry.com Acquires New Family Member: Sweden’s Genline.se

Posted by Heather Erickson on June 15, 2010 in Company News, Content

If you haven’t already heard the good news, we wanted you to know that we have agreed to acquire the leading Swedish family history website Genline.se. While the deal is still not final, we expect the acquisition details to be determined over the next month.

Almost 4 million Americans claimed Swedish heritage in the 2000 US census, so I’m sure many of you are as excited as we are.

Though many of the details are still being determined, this newest addition to the Ancestry.com family has access to a collection of Swedish church records that contain more than 26 million digitized pages of records spanning more than 400 years from the 16th to the 20th century. These records consist of birth/baptismal, confirmation, marriage, death/burial, church ledgers and household examination rolls. These are the main sources of genealogical information in Sweden.

For those of you that have already started your Swedish research, you’re well aware that we launched Ancestry.se, a site focused in Sweden, back in 2007. Altogether, we currently have more than 7 million Swedish records, including emigration records, vital records, newspaper clips and parish records. Together with Genline.se, we will become the destination for people wanting to learn more about their Swedish family history.

Once the deal has completed more details will be provided around the future plans for the business and also the access we will be able to give Ancestry.com customers to this wealth of Swedish content.

In the meantime, you won’t have to wait too long for more Swedish records to come online. Separate from our deal with Genline.se, in the coming months, we will be adding the Gothenburg, Sweden, Passenger Lists, 1869-1950 collection, which contains more than 1.2 million Swedish records.

The first part of this newsletter will feature important news about Ancestry.com. This is our favorite commercial website.

Ancestry Acquires ProGenealogists

This press release was just received from Ancestry this afternoon:

Ancestry.com to Acquire Professional Genealogy Firm ProGenealogists, Inc.

PROVO, UTAH (August 6, 2010) – Ancestry.com Inc. (Nasdaq:ACOM) announced today that it has acquired leading professional genealogy research firm, ProGenealogists, Inc.

Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, ProGenealogists specializes in genealogical, forensic and family history research. During its 10-year history, the firm has become a trusted name in professional genealogy, finding great success with client research and expanding both its domestic and international capabilities. As a part of Ancestry.com, ProGenealogists will continue to provide premier family history research to its existing clients while extending the Ancestry.com reach across the genealogy value chain.

“We are delighted to welcome ProGenealogists into the Ancestry.com network,” said David Rinn, senior vice president of strategy and corporate development for Ancestry.com. “With this acquisition Ancestry.com can better serve subscribers who are seeking dedicated, personal support in their family history research. As a natural service extension for Ancestry.com, we expect the addition of ProGenealogists will also enhance and expand the professional research offerings currently available through Ancestry.com Expert Connect.” Read the entire article at

ANCESTRY AND THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST

OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS’ AGREEMENT

We just want to remind everyone that an agreement exists between FamilySearch (the LDS Church) AND ancestry.com in relationship to indexes and images. It is very interesting. Things have progressed since this article was written, but it explains the agreement the two organizations have and how they are working TOGETHER to get the best information published.

Part of the article is below andhere:

link to the entire article--

“SALT LAKE CITY—Ancestry.com and FamilySearch, the two largest online family history resources, announced today they will exchange records and resources to make more historical records available online. The first project is a joint initiative to significantly enhance the online U.S. Federal Census Collection (1790 to 1930).

FamilySearch is digitally converting master microfilm copies of the original U.S. Federal Censuses from 1790 through 1930 and, under this agreement, will give these improved images to Ancestry.com. All census images and indexes will be available on Ancestry.com for subscribers. As projects are completed, images will be available for free in NARA reading rooms and FamilySearch’s 4,500 Family History Centers.

Ancestry.com, which currently offers indexes and images to the entire publicly available U.S. Federal Census Collection, will give FamilySearch copies of its existing census indexes. Through its online indexing system and community of volunteer indexers, FamilySearch is already indexing select censuses. FamilySearch will merge the Ancestry.com indexes with the new FamilySearch indexes to create enhanced census indexes, which will be added to both sites. Indexes to the enhanced censuses will be free on Ancestry.com for a limited time as they are completed. Indexes will also be available for free on FamilySearch.org.”

I've been with ancestry.com for a few years now and I'm noticing that I've been getting a LOT of new hints with MY family members on passenger lists and many other things lately that I’ve never been able to find before! Also many more links to others tree's with the same info as I have. I know new things are added on Ancestry on all the time, just as new people are being added to Family Search all the time and so on, but this seems to be a LOT more than usual!

Diane

WHY DID THE CHURCH DECIDE TO RE-INDEX THE CENSUS RECORDS?

"Not sure about exactly why the Church decided to reindex Ancestry's records.” Just a small clarification. Much of what Ancestry has indexed are records that the Church has on microfilm. FamilySearch is indexing all of the films owned by the Genealogical Society of Utah (where permission can be obtained from the record owners), regardless of previous projects by any separate organization. Ancestry owns their indexes and the Church has no rights or access to them unless Ancestry grants that access. Anything the Church produces can be made available on their terms regardless of what others have done. This is how they can make them available free of charge, especially since they are produced by volunteer efforts.

As for the errors at Ancestry, one of the things they struggle with is paying their indexers. That makes a project extremely expensive, so they have outsourced projects to foreign countries. When you realize that, it helps you understand why Ky in a census that is obviously Kentucky to us is indexed as Kenya. Also, non-Americans are trying to index names that are totally unfamiliar to them. I realize that you can see your family name exactly as it is written, but when you have no clue what the name is, handwriting can be interpreted many ways. Until you personally index, you never know how hard it can be to get it right!

Jill Crandell

Jill's explanation on the indexing errors at Ancestry was really appreciated.

ANCESTRY BOUGHT GENLINE [SWEDISH RECORDS]

Of course, FamilySearch has to re-index the records already indexed by Ancestry.com. The Church will want to have their efforts available and not have conflicts in the future.

Many organizations do indexing, which duplicates the indexing done by other organizations. For example, Canadian census records have been indexed by at least three organizations (ie., Ancestry, FamilySearch, and Automated Genealogy).

I also understand that Ancestry was using some type of computerized system that "read" the actual records, and that was another reason why the names and places were garbled at times.

Perhaps one reason Ancestry bought Genline was that the Swedish records were already being indexed and the images are digital in the majority of cases. I am guessing that the Swedish records will eventually show up on Ancestry.

Did any of you notice that the Church is looking for more volunteers to help with indexing? I wish our stake was involved with indexing. Our volunteers do it without any local support. I love indexing because I find typing very relaxing. I particularly enjoy indexing the World War II Draft Registrations. They have birth dates and birthplaces, but the Church isn't asking us to index the birthplaces -- only the birthdates. A batch of 30 men's names from this type of record doesn't take too long.

What a wonderful age we live in. There are truly miracles all around us as we gather our family names. What blessings we see open up! I love it. So much better than long family group records and typewriters with long carriages. ha!

Mary Scott, Northville Ward

New Ancestry.com iPhone Application Gives Access to Your Tree on the Go

Posted by Heather Erickson on January 19, 2010 in Ancestry.com Site, Company News, Family Trees, Member Connect

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You asked for an iPhone® application that gives you access to your Ancestry.com tree, and we heard you loud and clear. I’m excited to announce that we have launched the Ancestry.com Tree To Go iPhone app.

Whether you’re scouring the research library or getting together to share family stories with relatives, you’ll never miss a chance to add to your Ancestry.com family tree with this handy app. Log in to your Ancestry.com account from anywhere to access your tree, edit information, upload photos — even add a long-lost family member you find on your way. You never know where or when you’ll discover something to help you grow your Ancestry.com family tree.

With this helpful mobile tree tool, you can see all the family trees you’ve already created on Ancestry.com. Just download the app to your iPhone or iPod® Touch, log in to your Ancestry.com account and choose a family tree.

  • You can browse names in your tree
  • Search for a specific person in your tree
  • Click on a relative to view, then edit or add vital information, immediate family members, life events, notes or new ancestors.
  • Take photos of your relatives, historical documents, keepsakes, buildings and more and upload them directly to your tree.

Just discovered a treasure trove of family heirlooms at your second cousin’s house? Take pictures and upload them to your tree with stories about each one. Found a forgotten family member’s headstone as you traverse an 18th century cemetery? Add this new person and upload an image of their gravesite. Now when you’re on the go, your family tree — and all your history — goes with you.

For more details about the new Ancestry.com Tree To Go iPhone app visit or download the Ancestry.com Trees To Go directly from the iTunes App Store.

WHAT IF I FIND A SPELLING ERROR IN ANCESTRY CENSUS RECORDS?

Nancy, There are a couple of ways to notify Ancestry's other users of a spelling concern.

First, open the record so you can see the indexer's summary.

1) You could put it and other data in the brown box on the left column titled "Leave a Comment." The concern is that this location doesn't put data into search results. It's good for explaining supplementary information, however.

2) Again in the left column when you've opened to the indexing is something called "Page Tools." Under that heading is a pencil and "Add Alternate Information." What you can leave varies by record, but let's use a name as an example.

Click on "Add Alternate Information," window appears

Select "Name" from the first little box

Select "Reason" ie, wrong on record, indexing error, variation, etc.

Select "Given Name -- Surname" and make the correction..

Click "Submit Alternate." It shows you what you've submitted. It also asks if it should apply to others with the same surname in that document.

You respond yes or no. If there's a typo in your comment, you can delete it and begin over.

The corrections made under Page Tools are added to the search results in brackets.

Jerry in Boise

INFORMATION ABOUT ANCESTRY.COM

Navigating Ancestry.com

By Sylvia H. Sonneborn,

Ancestry has over a billion names

I. Access Ancestry bytyping ancestry.com into your browser.

II. Where do I start?

A. Tutorial Lessons are available – Go to the Learning Center. Tabs now include a drop-down menu so that you can navigate to sections of the site that previously would have required several clicks with just one. Webinars are available.

B. Charts and software are also available:

1. Charts are available at Help by typing “charts” into Search box or at

2. Family Tree Maker Starter Edition 2010 is downloadable at

III. Activate your search by using the tabs across the top of the Home page

A. Across the top, you will find the following tabs: Home, Family Trees, Search, Collaborate, Learning Center, DNA, Publish, Shop, Hire an Expert, and To-Dos and Add to Quick Links.

B. You can use Ancestry for some features without subscribing.

1. The Message Board on the Collaboration Tab

2. You can view photos, search but not look, publish, shop, hire experts, upload a GEDCOM, archive old resources, look at blog, get newsletter, look at learning materials

IV. We will look at each of the tabs:

  1. TAB -Home – the template to start a search. You can customize this page. Ancestry has redesigned this page to include direct links to Family Trees, a search template for you to fill in to search for an ancestor, “What’s Happening [New] at Ancestry,” My Shoebox [where you can set aside records to view later]. Recent Activity [places you have looked at], Other Links [People I’m looking for]. Note that these are now at the top beside Help: My Quick Links [click to go directly to Ancestry Card Catalog and other records], My To-Do List [reminders of places you want to search].
  2. TAB – Family Trees – The drop-down menu will list trees you subscribe to.
  3. TAB - Search – this is the most valuable tool for searching [Choose old or new version] Old Version - First look at all that is available along the right-hand side

Now you are ready to select the hyperlink for something specific, like a Census, or select no site if you want to search in all areas. Now type the ancestor’s name and some information into the template. The more information you type, the fewer hits, but you will still get a lot of names that “might” be yours. Each name is a hyperlink. Click on it to go to the record and to view the original image, like a census, when available. Ancestry has reduced the number of hits and makes a closer match.

Along the right is a listing of the records that are available at the SEARCH tab:

1.Card Catalog - Look in this to find surnames, state records, and many general research tools. You will be amazed at the long listed of resources.

2.Browse Records has 6 major divisions - Listed Below

  1. Family Trees -

One World Tree (One World Tree gathers family trees and family history records for millions of people, analyzes the birth, death and marriage data and then displays the most probable matches for your ancestors.), Personal Member Trees (need tocontact owner to view), and Public Member Trees (open to subscribers)

b.Historical Records -

(i.) Census -US Federal Census, 1940 Substitute (directories), UK Census Collection- US Indian Census, Canada Census Collection, & More

There are two separate U.S. Census resources at Ancestry.com: the Indices to the Census Records and Federal Census Images themselves.

(ii.) The amount of family information varies from one census to another and generally increases in more recent years. Here are some important things to note about census records:

  • Though the years from 1790-1840 are fully indexed, the original records only listed heads of households. Other family members are tallied by age and not listed individually.
  • Records from 1850-1870 list all household members, but do not indicate any relationships between the head of the household and other household members.
  • Records from 1880-1930 list all household members and their relationship to the head of the household.
  • 99% of the 1890 population census was destroyed (though Ancestry.com has created a partial replacement census).
  • The 1850 census is the first to provide ages and birthplaces for everyone tallied.
  • The 1870 census indicates whether the individual's parents were of foreign birth.
  • *The 1880 census is the first to provide the birthplace of parents.
  • The 1930 census was released on 1 April 2002.

*The 1890 census documents were virtually destroyed in a fire in 1921. To partially compensate for this loss, Ancestry has created a special database using directories from that period. The U.S. Records Collection on Ancestry.com includes the index for this (but not images), and the U.S. Federal Census Images and Indexes subscription includes both the images and the index. This can be helpful in locating people who lived in 1890.