MCGG Hosts Genealogy Open House January 13th ... Join Us from 1 - 3 p.m.

On Friday, January 13, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. the Macomb County Genealogy Group (MCGG) will hold a Genealogy Open House in the Local History and Genealogy Room of the Mount Clemens Public Library. 

Come learn about this great collection. Take a tour upstairs and down. Watch demonstrations on how to use the scanning equipment. Learn tips for using the local database computer. Get help with your research and socialize with other family historians/genealogists too. If you have a laptop feel free to bring it to use the library's in-house resources and pick up some tips and tricks.

MCGG members and anyone who is curious about researching their family tree are welcome to attend. 

When you are able to visit the Mt. Clemens Public Library to do research or attend a meeting, do not forget to add your 2016 Genealogy Accomplishments and 2017 Genealogy Goals to the bulletin board in the Local History and Genealogy Room. Slips are located in a basket on one of the tables in the room.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library! 
LE

2016 Holiday Party and Pot-Luck Lunch was a Success -- Thanks for Attending

The 2016 Holiday Party's White Elephant Sale

For everyone who attended our Annual Holiday Party and Pot-Luck Lunch, thank you for attending. You being there made the party a success.

There was a variety of good food. Lots and lots of white elephants and many good bidders who helped us raise a good bit of money.

We hope you all enjoyed yourself. Have a Happy Holidays and Safe New Year! 

Just click on the first picture to view the pictures at a larger size and use the left/right arrows to move between the photos.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

 

 




 
 

Add Your 2016 Accomplishments and 2017 Goals to the New Bulletin Board

Add your 2016 Accomplishments and 2017 Goals to the Board

Plan to visit our favorite library in the near future? While you are there, we invite you to participate in our "sort of interactive" bulletin board.

The new subject of the bulletin board (located on the wall just behind the local database computer) is our 2016 Genealogy Accomplishments and 2017 Genealogy Goals.

We have printed some slips for you to use -- just fill in your name and list your accomplishments and goals. Then take a push pin from the near the bottom of the board and tack up your slip with the others.

You'll find the slips basket on one of the tables.

Do not forget to read your fellow genealogists' slips. You may discover you and someone else have done or are doing something similar -- then you can talk about it. Check the board out each time you visit to see what has been added since you last viewed the board.

It does not matter if you have a long list of items or just a list of one item. Please share your accomplishments and goals with us -- maybe you will inspire someone else.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

The Macomb County Genealogy Group Reveals Its Meeting Topics for 2017

Hi Everyone! 

We have released MCGG's 2017 meeting schedules for our MCGG Friday Group and our Let's Talk...Genealogy discussion group on Wednesday.

The meeting dates and topics can be found on the respective pages of this blog site or in our Southeast Michigan Genealogy Events calendar on the Calendar page.

On both the MCGG Friday Meetings and Let's Talk Meetings pages, you will now find the PDF file link of our current meetings flyer which can be viewed and downloaded. (Please note the image of the flyer in this post is just a low-res image. To see/download the flyer PDF you need to go to either of the meeting pages.)

We hope you enjoy the coming genealogy season.

See you soon at the Mt Clemens Public Library! 
LE

This Wednesday's Let's Talk...Genealogy topic is Genealogy Software, Ancestry.com ... What is What Now?

This Wednesday, December 14, 2016, at 7 p.m. in the Genealogy/Local History Room of the Mount Clemens Public Library is MCGG's Let's Talk...Genealogy meeting. Our topic for the night is ... Genealogy Software, Ancestry.com ... What is What Now?

Last year the genealogy world was shaken like a snow globe by Ancestry.com's announcement of coming changes. The situation caused many to rethink their genealogy software options. We'll review and share our experiences with various software, and discuss any news on the progress of changes at Ancestry.com had announced for 2017.

New attendees are always welcome.

See you soon at the Mt. Clemens Public Library! 
LE

Webinars, Webinars ... Learning Opportunities in 2017 Abound!

For 2017 there are genealogy/history learning opportunities just about everywhere you look. This is the time of year when genealogy/history webinar hosts announce their schedules for the coming year. 

Many of these webinars are free to view live. If you want to watch one later it may require a membership fee. If you really like the webinars of a particular host or want to see an older, archived webinar the cost of membership is not very high for many of these webinar hosts. 

Legacy Family Tree Webinars

Legacy Family Tree Webinars has released its 2017 webinar schedule. (The website looks/acts more like a tablet/smartphone app.) Click on the Upcoming Webinars to see the future webinars listed by month but you'll have to click on each webinar to learn more and to register. Or, click the Register for Multiple Webinars at Once to see the future webinars in one list. (Click the top check box to automatically check all webinars at one time.)

Legacy Family Tree webinars are mostly held at 2 p.m. on Wednesdays though there are a few Friday afternoon and Wednesday evening webinars. They are free to view live and for almost a week afterwards at which time they become accessible to webinar subscribers only. There are over 445 webinars archived for members to view. (Some archived webinars remain free for all to view.) Handouts are available only to webinar subscribers/members. Legacy webinar membership is currently $9.95/month or $49.95/year. (Note: If you view a webinar, there is often a discount code word which will get you 10 percent off items from the store, including webinar memberships.) Webinar members get an additional 5 percent off when signed-in.

Southern California Genealogical Society

The Southern California Genealogical Society (SCGS) has released its 2017 webinar schedule. The webinars, held the first Saturday and third Monday of the month, are free to live viewers and handouts are included. After the live webinar, only SCGS members can view the archived webinars. SCGS membership is $35/year and includes other benefits.

Illinois State Genealogical Society

The Illinois State Genealogical Society has released its 2017 webinar schedule.  The webinars are held the second Tuesday of the month at 9 p.m. ET and are free to live viewers and handouts are included. After the live webinar, only ISGS members can view the archived webinars. ISGS membership is $35/year.

Wisconsin State Genealogical Society

The Wisconsin State Genealogical Society has released its 2017 webinar schedule. The webinars are held the third Tuesday of the month at 8 p.m. ET and are free to live viewers and handouts are included. After the live webinar, only WSGS members can view the archived webinars. WSGS membership is $35/year.

Minnesota Genealogical Society

The Minnesota Genealogical Society also has hosted webinars. The society lists its webinars on its Events page. The 2017 schedule has not been announced yet. The webinars are usually held on the first Wednesday of the month at 8 p.m. ET and are free to live viewers and handouts are included. After the live webinar, only MGS members can view the archived webinars. MGS membership is $35/year.

Florida State Genealogical Society

The Florida State Genealogical Society also hosts webinars. The society announces its webinars on its upcoming webinars page. So far the 2017 schedule has not been announced so check back in a week or two. The webinars are held the third Thursday of the month at 8 p.m. ET and are free to live viewers. Handouts are usually for members only. After the live webinar, only FSGS members can view the archived webinars. FSGS membership is $25/year.

FamilySearch

The Family History Library (FHL) in Salt Lake City, Utah, began broadcasting the genealogy classes held in the library about two years ago. Information about these free webinars are located at the FHL's page on FamilySearch. Only classes through February 2017 have been listed so check back often. (There is a PDF list for January 2017 and February 2017 on that webpage. There are now webinars for December 2016.) Sometimes additional webinars are added to the current month. Most of these webinars include handouts. Previously recorded webinars are listed under Past Webinars. (Scroll down the page to see them.) You may find some archived in the FamilySearch Learning Center.

The societies and company listed above are not the only online webinar opportunities out there.

GeneaWebinars is a blog that hosts a calendar specializing in keeping track of the numerous genealogy webinars being held. About 35 organizers/hosts list their webinars in the calendar. Organizers/Hosts use a variety of webinar delivery systems from GoToWebinar to Google Hangouts to Twitter. Most entries have links taking you to the registration page for that webinar or the website of the host.

So if you want to learn something new or review a specific topic, there is likely a webinar out there for you or even a YouTube video. But you might have to find some patience if the webinar is not scheduled until later in the year.

Have fun learning.

See you soon at the Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Free Access to Fold 3 World War II Collection for Entire Month of December

In remembrance of the 75th Pear Harbor Anniversary, Fold3.com is giving free access in the month of December to its entire World War II collection.

Just register for the basic Fold3 membership which is free with no credit card required. If you already have a free Fold3 basic membership, just sign into the website. (You do not need to sign up for a 7-day free trial which requires a credit card.) The easiest way to do this is to just start a search from the World War II Collection page and then click to view an image (marked free) and then the correct registration link to a free basic membership option appear.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Get Ready for Our Annual Holiday Party/Pot-luck this Friday, Dec. 9

This Friday, December 9th at 12:00 p.m. (noon) is our Annual Holiday Party and Pot-luck at the Mount Clemens Public Library. It is a joint meeting of the Macomb County Genealogy Group Friday group and the Let's Talk...Genealogy Wednesday group.

Bring a dish (home-made or store-bought) to share and come have some fun. (Remember this meeting starts at noon rather than our usual 1 p.m. start time.)

Please email Ann at the MCGG email (see our contact page) if you plan on attending so we know approximately how many tables to set up. But if you don't know until the last moment, come anyway.

Again this year, just for fun, we are going to have a White Elephant Auction. Look around your house and if you find something that you don't want (but someone else might) wrap it up and bring it. Oh, and bring a few dollars so you can bid on an "elephant" and raise some money.

This year we are playing a guessing game. Bring a photo of yourself taken between age 5 and 15. Do not put your name on the front. We promise to take good care of all photos which will be returned to you.

See you soon at the Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

High Demand Results in AncestryDNA Sale Extension, $69 Sale Now Ends TONIGHT!

AncestryDNA Kit

Due to high-demand and long wait times yesterday, Ancestry.com has extended its AncestryDNA sale until midnight tonight ... that is Tuesday, November 29, 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

So that means you can still get the AncestryDNA (autosomal) test, regularly $99 in the United States, for just $69 (a 30 percent savings) today.

Taxes and shipping costs are extra and about $9.95 to one address.

Ancestry.com has set up a special sale page for this sale. You will likely see the sale price if you are signed into your Ancestry account, if not try the sale page.

So today is you last chance to get in on this low price. According to the Ancestry Insider, the sale price goes up to $89 now from Nov. 30 to Dec. 14, which is only a 10 percent savings. In the past we have mentioned that there is also a free shipping coupon code FREESHIPDNA listed at the RetailMeNot website. We confirmed this code (or any code) will not work in conjunction with this sale.

Remember, this sale extension ends tonight!

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library! 
LE 

November 28, 2016 Cyber Monday Sales, NYGBS has New Sales Codes for Today

It's Cyber Monday! A lot of Black Friday deals are ending today but there are a lot of sales that are for today only.

The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (NYGBS) has changed their coupon codes for today; they are listed below. Besides the deals listed below NYGBS also has various sale bundles.

• Get $15 off an annual membership by using code NEWMEMBER28 and save more than 20 percent off the usual price. Offer expires 11:59 pm Monday, November 28, 2016.
• Get free domestic shipping by using code FREESHIP28 on any publications in the NYGBS online store. Offer expires 11:59 pm Monday, November 28, 2016.
• Get 5% off publications and event tickets by using code HOLIDAYS28 on publications or event ticket orders in the NYGBS online store. Offer expires 11:59 pm Monday, November 28, 2016.

If you are interested in joining another society, check that society's website to see if they are holding a sale too.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

NEHGS Bookstore Offers Holiday Bundles

The Bookstore at the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) website, AmericanAncestors, has released its 2016 Holiday Bundles.

The more than fifty bundles cover a variety of topics which vary in size and price. All offer savings. You can explore them in the online bookstore or from an alphabetical listing by bundle topic.

Prices are good thru December 31, 2016, while supplies last. NEHGS recommends that if you are purchasing a bundle as a gift, choose UPS shipping because the media rate of the USPS may not make it in time for the holiday. Questions regarding bundles or shipping can be sent to the bookstore's email. You can also order by phone, 1-888-296-3447.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Moorshead Magazines Run Black Friday Special ... 40% off Until Nov. 30, 2016

From Black Friday until November 30, 2016, Moorshead Magazines Ltd. the publisher of Your Genealogy (formerly Family Chronicle), Internet Genealogy, and History Magazine is running a Black Friday Special.

Save 40% off of Everything!

The discount can be used on anything featured on their website. Renew your existing subscription or start a new one. Buy books, magazine back issue volumes on CD, quick sheets or special book bundles.

Use discount code:  BF2016  when completing your order. (Can not be combined with any other offer.)

Moorshead has a special pages set up for United States Customers and Canadian Customers. Or call their toll free number, 1-888-326-2476, extension 111.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Black Friday Sale: AncestryDNA $69 Sale

AncestryDNA Kit

From today Friday, Nov. 25, to Monday, Nov. 28, Ancestry.com will be having a sale on its AncestryDNA (autosomal) test. Regularly $99 in the United States, the test will be 30 percent off meaning the sale price will be $69. Taxes and shipping costs are extra and about $9.95 to one address.

Ancestry.com has set up a special sale page for this sale. You will likely see the sale price if you are signed into your Ancestry account, if not try the sale page.

So if you have been waiting for a really good sale this would be the one on this product. According to the Ancestry Insider, the sale price goes up to $89 from Nov. 29 to Dec. 14, which is only 10 percent savings.

In the past we have mentioned that there is also a free shipping coupon code FREESHIPDNA listed at the RetailMeNot website. Please note that sometimes this code works meaning Ancestry lets you stack discounts together and sometimes the code does not meaning Ancestry only allows one discount at a time. It doesn't hurt to see if it works for this sale.

Also, Ancestry.com is having a 20 percent off sale on 6-month US-Discovery Gift Memberships. This is for new subscribers only and not renewals of current subscriptions. Regular cost is $99, sale price is $79. If you don't have a current subscription, you can probably gift one to yourself if needed.

Remember, you have from today which is Black Friday through Cyber Monday to take part in this sale.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library! 
LE 

Genealogy-Related Sales are All Around Some Today Only, Some Until Monday

Here are a few other sales we've found today.

New York Genealogical and Biographic Society
The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (NYGBS) is having a Black Friday Sale today. Besides the deals listed below there are also various bundles.

• Get $15 off an annual membership by using code NEWMEMBER25 and save more than 20 percent off the usual price. Offer expires 11:59 pm Friday, November 25, 2016.
• Get free domestic shipping by using code FREESHIP25 on any publications in the NYGBS online store. Offer expires 11:59 pm Friday, November 25, 2016. (Note:  the NYGBS website free shipping will also be offered on Cyber Monday.)
• Get 5% off publications and event tickets by using code HOLIDAYS25 on an publication or event ticket orders in the NYGBS online store. Offer expires 11:59 pm Friday, November 25, 2106.

If you are interested in joining another society, check that society's website to see if they are holding a sale too.

Family Tree Webinars
You don't have to wait until Cyber Monday for the 30 percent off the annual membership price of FamilyTreeWebinars. That sale is already showing in its online store. The other Black Friday Sales for Legacy Family Tree software (half off) and other sale items in its store can be found at FamilyTreeWebinars or LegacyFamilyTree. 

Family Tree Magazine
Family Tree magazine's online store is having a 50% off Storewide Black Friday Sale from today until Cyber Monday. There are many newer books on sale. Also, free shipping on orders over $25.

Other Genealogy Software
If you have been considering buying a genealogy program, check the websites of the programs you are considering. Many are running sales. Besides Legacy Family Tree, RootsMagic is having a holiday offer on two bundles until December 20th, and Heredis software is half off new purchases and upgrades until December 27th. Other software makers may be holding sales too.

Dick Eastman's Half-Off MyHeritage Subscription Offer
Dick Eastman has arranged for a half-off offer for a full-access subscription to MyHeritage making the One Year MyHeritage Complete Plan's cost $125.29 in US funds. See Eastman's blog post for details on this subscription plan. This offer expires December 1, 2016.

GeneaBloggers
GeneaBloggers has listed some additional sales. An easy way to not miss any of his bargain lists is to search the site using the genealogy-bargains tag or use this link which does it for you. Also, refreshing your browser window after arriving at the GeneaBloggers website will insure and force the latest posts to appear for you.

Lastly, don't forget to check out your local stores for deals on office supplies and technology too.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

$10 off Book Purchases over $25* at Amazon.com Now Until Cyber Monday

We found this just a little while ago.

Save $10 off book purchases over $25* at Amazon.com website.

Enter promotion code HOLIDAYBOOK at checkout under "Gift Cards & Promotional Codes."

Here are some of the terms and conditions. * The offer is valid only on Print Books only. It excludes eBooks, Audiobooks, Book Rentals and Amazon Gift Cards. Offer only applies to products sold and shipped by Amazon.com. Limit one promotional code per customer and account. Maximum value $10. Promotion valid for a limited time, on orders placed November 24, 2016, at 12:01 a.m. EST and November 28, 2016, at 2:59 a.m. EST.

To review all the official terms and conditions, see the offer on Amazon website's Books page. There will be a promo image near the top of the page.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Keeping An Eye On Genealogy Bargains

Rather than recreate the wheel, remember to visit GeneaBloggers website often this weekend to keep an eye on Thomas MacEntee's list of all the genealogy bargains he has found.

An easy way to not miss any of his bargain lists is to search the site using the genealogy-bargains tag or use this link which does it for you.

For example starting Friday, November 25, 2106:

Ancestry.com is having a 30% off sale on its AncestryDNA kit. See our blog post about this sale.

23andMe is giving progressive discounts. Save 10 percent on one DNA kit, 20% off of two, and 40% off of three or more kits.

Legacy Family Tree is having a 50% off sale on all software.

Starting on Monday, November 28, 2016:

Family Tree Webinars is having a 30% off sale on its annual (year) subscription.

There are lots of other sales listed, and more will likely be added as the day/weekend progresses. MacEntee often finds discount codes for various genealogy- or technology-related items at Amazon too. So keep an eye out and stay safe shopping.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Heads Up: Save 30% on AncestryDNA Test Black Friday to Cyber Monday Sale

AncestryDNA Test Kit

Since the word is getting out now, here is the scoop one of our MCGG members learned at the beginning of this week:

From Friday, Nov. 25, to Monday, Nov. 28, Ancestry.com will be having a sale on its AncestryDNA (autosomal) test. Regularly $99 in the United States, the test will be 30 percent off meaning the sale price will be $69. Shipping costs are about $9.95 to one address.

So if you have been waiting for a really good sale this would be the one on this product. According to the Ancestry Insider, the sale price goes up to $89 from Nov. 29 to Dec. 14, which is only 10 percent savings.

In the past we have mentioned that there is also a free shipping coupon code FREESHIPDNA listed at the RetailMeNot website. Please note that sometimes this code works meaning Ancestry lets you stack discounts together and sometimes the code does not meaning Ancestry only allows one discount at a time. It doesn't hurt to see if it works for this sale.

Remember, this sale does not start until Black Friday and runs through Cyber Monday. I'll post additional details as soon as I know them.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library! 
LE 

Keeping Up on Those Sales

Looking for Black Friday and Cyber Monday genealogy-related deals? Or just any genealogy-related sale?

One place to keep an eye on for these deals is the GeneaBloggers website. Some of the deals mentioned are offers by various genealogy websites or other service providers that you will see elsewhere. Some of the deals mentioned are negotiated by Thomas MacEntee who runs Geneabloggers.

An example is for today only, Geneabloggers has negotiated a deal with iDrive an online backup service. For $39.50 you get one year of IDrive personal 1TB cloud backup service (one year of online backup at iDrive for 1TB is regularly $99.99) and a 1TB HDD hard drive. The drive also has a wireless base station so you can access it remotely. This combination of device and service gives you local backup and cloud backup. Also, iDrive lets you back up multiple devices with one account.

While the graphic says today only, the text of the blog post and an email from Geneabloggers email alerts list which gives more details on the offer and says the offer expires midnight November 28, 2016.

iDrive is one of several online backup services. As with any offer, make sure it is right for you before purchasing and explore your options.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

FamilyTreeDNA Holiday Sale Starts NOW! FamilyFinder at Lowest Price Ever ... $59

Just in the email this morning, Family Tree DNA announced it's 2016 Holiday Sale starts NOW!

Most of the DNA tests at Family Tree DNA are now on sale and the most exciting news is that the FamilyFinder (autosomal DNA) test that had its regular price reduced to $79 in September is now on sale for just $59 -- the lowest price ever for this autosomal DNA test!

In addition just like in previous years, if you are on the Family Tree DNA email list and/or have any tests kits at Family Tree DNA, you will receive a weekly holiday reward offer (good for seven days) giving you additional savings offers that can be used on top of the sale prices. You can you these weekly holiday reward offers yourself or share them with one person.

Each week of the holiday season you (each of your kits) will receive a new holiday reward offer for that week (good for seven days.) Just sign into each of your test kits, click on the reward icon from the DNA Dashboard to see each test's specific reward.

New this year, if use or a friend uses one of your reward codes then your savings offer for the next week might get even better.

Shipping and taxes are extra which vary depending on where the test is being shipped. Shipping to Michigan costs $12.95 now which covers receiving and sending the test.

Family Tree DNA 2016 Holiday Sales include:
autosomal DNA
Family Finder Test (autosomal for male or female) regular price $79 ... now $59

Y-DNA
Y37 Test (Y-DNA for males only) regular price $169 ... now $139
Y67 Test (Y-DNA for males only) regular price $268 ... now $229
Y111 Test (Y-DNA for males only) regular price $359 ... now $319

mtDNA
mtFull-Sequence Test (for males or females) regular price $199 ... now $179

Test Bundles (two or more test types bundled together to test one person)
FamilyFinder + Y37 Test (Y-DNA for males only) regular price $248 ... now $188FamilyFinder + Y67 Test (Y-DNA for males only) regular price $347 ... now $278FamilyFinder + mtFull-Sequence Test (for males or females) regular price $278 ... now $228
Comprehensive Genome (FamilyFinder + Y67 Test + mtFull-Sequence Test (Y-DNA for males only)) regular price $546 ... now $457

If you have any questions about a test type, click on the FamilyTreeDNA label in the left column of this blog to see prior posts some of which explain the different tests. Or read about each test on the Family Tree DNA website.

We will keep an eye for additional genealogy-related sales and let you know about them here or tell you where to read all about them.


See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Got Swedish Ancestors? ArkivDigital Free Access Weekend Nov. 12 to 13, 2016

ArkivDigital is having a free access weekend to its Swedish Records and Books of interest to genealogists. Free Access runs from Nov. 12 to Nov. 13, 2016.

To participate you have to register your name and email (for free) with ArkivDigital. If you have not used ArkivDigital before, you will need to install the latest ArkivDigital viewer software in order to see the record images. ArkivDigital has a help page for this free access weekend.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

AmericanAncestors Adds Images of The Boston Transcript's Genealogy Column

AmericanAncestors.org the website of the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) has added images of The Boston Transcript's Genealogy column.

Currently covering 1911 to 1941 (the column ran from 1906 to 1941) the collection is browsable only not searchable. The tip is to use the American Genealogical-Biographical Index (AGBI) on Ancestry.com as a search aid to find the newspaper year/month/date that an ancestral surname (ancestor) appeared. Also many issue from the 1850s to 1910s are on Google News Archive.

The genealogy column consisted of queries from across the country dealing with ancestral questions regarding ancestors in many places and time periods -- not just New England. These queries were answered by readers and others too.

If you are not a member of NEHGS or a subscriber to Ancestry.com, just visit the Mount Clemens Public Library's Genealogy and Local History Room where both subscriptions are available for library patron use.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Nov. 10 to 13 Free Access to All Military Records on FindMyPast Websites

FindMyPast is giving free access to All Military Records from Nov. 10 to 13 to all United Kingdom, Australian, Canadian and United States military records.

During this free access time period, you will need to sign-in to either your subscription account or free account.

If you do not have a free account at FindMyPast already, simply create one. (A free account is not the same as a free trial subscription so do not click on the link to sign up for a free trial subscription.) The simplest way to create a free account is to do a search, click to view a result image and the website will ask you to sign into your account or create a free account.

There are special search pages set up for this free access time period for each of the Find My Past websites -- FindMyPast.com's military search, FindMyPast.co.uk's military search, FindMyPast.ie's military search or FindMyPast.com.au's military serach. You can access all the military records regardless of country from any of the FindMyPast websites.

Have fun searching.
 
See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

GRO Launches New Online Vital Indexes, Tests Digital Certificates for Limited Time

A newsletter for LostCousins.com last week shared some information on the General Register Office (GRO) in England.

The GRO launched new online indexes of births and deaths for England and Wales that makes ordering certificates easier and provides additional information to make finding the right entry they seek. These indexes cover Births 1837 to 1915 and Deaths 1837 to 1957.

Also, digital copies of certificates are being tested beginning November 9, 2016 possibly lasting for up to three weeks. These will be un-certified PDF copies of previously digitized entries in the birth and death indexes. They will be at a reduced price of £6 whereas paper copies cost £9.25 BUT only 45,000 certificates will be issued at this reduced price. The time period covered in this pilot test is: Births 1837 to 1934 and Deaths 1837 to 1957.

Follow the newsletter or online instructions for how to access the new indexes and participate in the digital PDF copies trial.

Thanks to MCGG member David Lambert for sharing this at our Let's Talk...Genealogy meeting.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Virginia State Library Digitizes More Than 33,000 Civil War Personal Papers

Between 2010 and 2015 the Virginia State Library sent two archivists around the state to digitize Civil War documents from people's personal collections. More than 33,000 pages were scanned and are now available for free online as part of the James I. Robertson Jr. Civil War Sesquicentennial Legacy Collection.

The project was done in partnership with the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission and Virginia's local Sesquicentennial committees.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE 

351 Years of The London Gazette Newspaper are Digitized and Online

The London Gazette newspaper is 351 years old and it has been digitized.

You can search the paper and view its pages for free. Don't forget to read the search tips that are available.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

This Wednesday's Let's Talk...Genealogy topic is Navigating NARA

This Wednesday, November 9, 2016, at 7 p.m. in the Genealogy/Local History Room of the Mount Clemens Public Library is MCGG's Let's Talk...Genealogy meeting. Our topic for the night is ... Navigating NARA.

We'll share tips and know-how for finding and using what is on the website of the National Archives and Records Administration.

New attendees are always welcome.

See you soon at the Mt. Clemens Public Library! 
LE

Free Access November 1-15 to the Fold3.com Native American Collection

Fold3 is offering free access to its Native American Collection from November 1 - 15.
Just register for the basic Fold3 membership which is free with no credit card required. If you already have a free Fold3 basic membership, just sign into the website. (You do not need to sign up for a 7-day free trial which requires a credit card.) The easiest way to do this is to just start a search from the Native American Collection page and then click to view an image (marked free) and then the correct registration link to a free basic membership option will come up.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

My Father's Life in the 103rd Infantry Division: How I did His Military Research

On Friday, November 4, at 1:00 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Mount Clemens Public Library, MCGG member William Krull will present My Father's Life in the 103rd Infantry Division: How I did His Military Research including a DVD entitle A Son's Story.

If you are in the Mt. Clemens area, PLEASE JOIN US. 

See you soon at the Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Wednesday's Let's Talk...Genealogy topic is Unexpected Hints in Unexpected Places

This Wednesday, October 12, 2016, at 7 p.m. in the Genealogy/Local History Room of the Mount Clemens Public Library is MCGG's Let's Talk...Genealogy meeting. Our topic for the night is ... Unexpected Hints in Unexpected Places.

We'll share how and where we have found hints (and answers?) to our genealogical questions. Serendipity, or our ancestors helping us? A timely topic for the month that is Family History Month and the bearer of Halloween.

New attendees are always welcome. 

See you soon at the Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Friday's Meeting is Here Comes the Judge

On Friday, October 7, at 1:00 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Mount Clemens Public Library, Karen Krugman will present Here Comes the Judge showcasing the holdings available when visiting a courthouse.

If you are in the Mt. Clemens area, PLEASE JOIN US. 

See you soon at the Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

October is Family History Month in USA ... Do Something for Your Genealogy!

It's that time of year again -- October -- which means it is Family History Month in the United States!

MCGG suggests strongly encourages you to do something for your genealogy this month! You can do something each of the thirty-one days this month or take it week by week. Do a bunch of little tasks or some larger tasks or a combination of the two. Plan/Take a short research trip; make learning new things a priority; try a new website for a month; or sit your butt down to source your tree like you keep saying you will -- the opportunities are endless.

Keep in mind that there are often many genealogy "free-access" and sale offers in honor of this month so stay tuned here and keep an eye out for them yourself.

In the meantime, if you need some inspiration "to do something for your genealogy" here are some ideas -- inspired by some of the special designated days and weeks this month -- to help get you going.

October 1 - 31 -- Family History Month in the United States.
It is also Computer Learning Month, check out a book or watch a webinar on how to use one of your genealogy-related programs ... or your computer. Also, American Archives Month. Plan a research visit to your state or local archive.

The first week of October is Get Organized Week, plan one or two days or an hour each day to organize your genealogy papers.

October 1 -- National Ghost Hunting Day. Visit your ancestors' graves to take photos or spend some time online searching the various cemetery memorial websites. Also, National Homemade Cookies Day. It's not genealogy related or is it? Bake up a batch of grandma's or great grandma's cookies from a passed-down recipe. If grandma is still living, visit or call her and talk to her about her -- informally interview her. Since it is also the first Saturday of the month it is also International Frugal Fun Day so spend some time research on your favorite or a new-to-you free genealogy website.

October 3 -- National Techies Day. Spend sometime organizing the files on your hard drive and backing up your hard drive. Learn a new program or simply enter into your genealogy program that information you have been meaning to do.

October 4 -- National Tacos Day; National Golf Lover's Day; National Vodka Day. Use today to research/focus on your Mexican/Spanish, Scottish, or Russian ancestors.

October 5 -- National Do Something Nice Day; National Apple Betty Day; National Walk to School Day. Use today to share something with a relative, to research/focus on a Betty (Elizabeth) in your ancestry; or to research ancestors in school records. Also, Ask an Archivist Day. Sponsored by The Society of Archivists, use your Twitter account to ask your archive question using the #AskAnArchivist hashtag.

October 6 -- National German-American Day. Use today to research/focus on your German ancestors.

October 8 -- National Peirogi Day. Use today to research/focus on your Polish ancestors.

October 9 -- National Leif Erikson Day. Use today to research/focus on your Nordic ancestors. Also, National Clergy Appreciation Day. Use today to research/focus on your clergy ancestors. Also, Curious Events Day. Try investigating a mystery in your family tree.

October 10 -- National Native American Day. Use today to research/focus on your Native American ancestors. Also, Columbus Day. Use today to research/focus on your immigrant ancestors. Also, International Newspaper Carrier Day. Use today to investigate digitized newspapers for your ancestors. Or re-read your newspaper finds to see if you missed something. Also, Thanksgiving Day in Canada. Use today to research your Canadian ancestors, or those that lived there for a time.

October 12 -- National Farmer's Day. Use today to research/focus on your farming ancestors. Also, National Gumbo Day. Use today to research/focus on your Louisiana ancestors.
Also, Take Your Parents to Lunch Day. Use today to research/focus on your parents. Also, National Fossil Day. Use today to research/focus on your end-of-line ancestors. What sources have you missed in trying to research these ancestors? Are any now available online? They may not be indexed but they may now be accessible. Also, National Emergency Nurse's Day. Use today to research/focus on your ancestors who worked in the health care industry. Also, Cookbook Launch Day. Use today to research your female ancestors. Or, create "family cookbook" of your own with treasured, passed-down recipes or more current family favorites. Make it a project and you'll have made a holiday gift item. Also, Moment of Frustration Day, re-examine one or more of your "brickwall" ancestors and create a plan to knock down that wall. There are lots of ideas for how to do something for your genealogy today.

October 13 -- National Train Your Brain Day. Use today to learn something new. Watch a genealogy webinar, or read a genealogy book. Also, National Yorkshire Pudding Day. Use today to research/focus on your English ancestors. Also, Navy Birthday. Use today to research/focus on your naval/seafaring ancestors. Also International Skeptics Day, take another look at those family branches that might be a little shaky.

October 15 -- Sweetest Day. Use today to concentrate your research on finding any marriage records you do not already have for your ancestors. Or, as you show your "sweetests" you care, talk to them about themselves -- another opportunity to informally interview your relatives. Also, National Cake Decorating Day. Use today to research/focus on your baker ancestors, or to concentrate on finding any birth records you do not already have for your ancestors

October 17 -- National Mulligan Day. Use today to "do something over." Revisit a problem or ancestor the eluded you once before. Also, National Black Poetry Day. Use today to research/focus on your African American ancestors. Also, National Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day. Use today to clean up and organize your computer files.

October 19 -- Evaluate Your Life Day. In the spirit of this day spend some time re-evaluating your research efforts on a particular problem.

October 23 -- National Boston Creme Pie Day. Use today to research/focus on your Massachusetts ancestors. Also, National Mother-in-law Day. Use today to research/focus on your spouse's mother's ancestors.

October 24 -- United Nations Day. Use today to research/focus on an ancestor you put off researching because he/she is a nationality you have not researched before.

October 27 -- Navy Day. Use another day today to research/focus on your naval/seafaring ancestors. Also, National Tell a Story Day in Scotland and the U.K., so try writing your memories about a particular relative. Or, write down those stories of your ancestors/family that you heard growing up.

October 29 -- National Hermit Day. Use today to research/focus on your ancestors who did not marry or have children. Sometimes the probates of those without direct heirs can be goldmines. 

October 31 -- Halloween. Do some more cemetery research or research probate records for your ancestors today. And, take a little break from genealogy to pass out some candy tonight. You did remember to buy some trick-or-treat candy right?

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE