Friday's Meeting: Kim Parr Presents Collections of the Macomb County Historical Society

On Friday, April 1, at 1:00 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Mount Clemens Public Library, Kim Parr will present Collections of the Macomb County Historical Society.

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

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

Registration Now Open for 2016 Abrams Foundation Family History Seminar

Registration for the 2016 Abrams Foundation Family History Seminar on July 8 - 9, 2016, is now open. The seminar is hosted by the Archives of Michigan and the Michigan Genealogical Council and features Amy Johnson Crow this year.

The seminar kicks off with a tour of the Archives of Michigan and then attendees can pick from a variety of speakers and family history topics over the two-day event which runs from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. The Archives of Michigan will be open for research from 1 p.m to 5 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Details on the event can be found at both SeekingMichigan and the Michigan Genealogical Council's websites. Online registration for the seminar is available on SeekingMichigan and will close on Wednesday, July 6 at 11:59 p.m. Registration is $60 and includes full attendance for the seminar, a boxed lunch on Saturday, and a seminar syllabus loaded on a flash drive.

On-site registration will be available both that Friday and Saturday starting one hour before the first event but a boxed lunch is not guaranteed.


See you soon at Mt Clemens Public Library!
LE

Free Access to UK and Commonwelath Records at Ancestry.co.uk until March 28

At Ancestry.co.uk (the United Kingdom version) there is free access to all United Kingdom and Commonwealth Records this weekend, March 25 - 28. Free access ends March 28 at 23:59 BST. You will need to set up (register) for a free account with Ancestry.co.uk even if you are a Ancestry.com member.

How do you do register for free access? Simply start a search on this weekend's free access page and the free access registration window will pop up. Supply your name and email and you will be sent a username and password to use for this free access period. Remember the free access account does not ask for your credit card. (The trail membership is the one that requires a credit card.)

So if you don't have an Ancestry.com subscription or if your subscription is just for US records, this is an opportunity to explore your UK family including those in Canada and Australia.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

March 19-20, 2016 Free Access to ArkivDigital for Genealogy Day in Sweden

Got Swedish Ancestors?

Saturday, March 19, is Genealogy Day in Sweden. So ArkivDigital is having an "open house" offering free access to its entire online historical archive on Saturday and Sunday, March 19-20.

This offer is for those without a current ArkivDigital subscription. 

ArkivDigital has a dedicated page set up to help individuals with the free weekend access. After registering you will need to download the software that the website requires to access its information. One neat thing about ArkivDigital is that a lot of the images are color images of the original documents and are not just black and white digitized microfilm.

So for those with Swedish ancestors, have fun searching.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

RootsWeb is Back, Site is being Audited Report Any Problems You Discover

Status Change as of late March 15

Late today, March 15th, Ancestry.com's status message on the RootsWeb home page changed. The message now reads:

"In late Febraruary 2016, the RootsWeb site experienced hardware failure. Our development and web operations teams have worked diligently and carefully to restore much of the functionality and we're currently performing a site audit. If you see any issues you'd like to report please reach out to Member Services through our support form."

The support form lies below the five orange status messages on that page.

As we reported earlier this morning, the Mail Lists for the Message Boards resumed distribution around 4 a.m., but the message on the RootsWeb homepage had not been changed yet.

So if you find something not working report it. Do not assume someone else has reported it already. And keep your fingers crossed that everything can be recovered.
Rootsweb.com is the oldest and largest free genealogical community website. 
See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!  LE

RootsWeb: More Signs the Site is Returning But Still Be Patient

RootsWeb Board Digests March 15

This morning I opened my email to find another sign that RootsWeb is coming back to life. Numerous Message Board Mail List Digests that I subscribe to have appeared in one of my inboxes.

Ancestry.com's message on the RootsWeb home page has still not changed so their people are likely still implementing changes and testing things. But it appears more progress is being made. Yes, today -- March 15 -- is the day Ancestry.com estimated for the fix but remember that was an estimated date not a guarantee date.

Though some report that some hosted websites and various features are still down, our RootsWeb hosted site and that of some counties that I personally research are up and running.

Remember, patience is needed by all (those who administer various things on RootsWeb and by the end-user researchers) until Ancestry announces the all clear. Again, we won't know until Ancestry.com officially announces RootsWeb is back if anything was lost. Keep your fingers crossed.

Rootsweb.com is the oldest and largest free genealogical community website. 

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library! 
LE

MCGG's SouthEast Michigan Genealogy Calendar Updated for Area's Meetings

Our SouthEast Michigan Genealogy Calendar has been updated.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

RootsMagic 7.1 Adds Direct Import of Various Family Tree Maker Version Files

Earlier this week the makers of RootsMagic genealogy database software announced the release of RootsMagic 7.1. The update not only adds various tweaks and fixes, it also adds the ability to directly import any Family Tree Maker file.

To be more specific, RootsMagic 7.1 can directly import:

• Family Tree Maker 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2014 for Windows (file extensions *.ftm or *.ftmb)
• Family Tree Maker 3 for Mac (file extensions *.ftm or *.ftmb)
• Family Tree Maker 2010 or 2012 for Mac (file extensions *.ftmm or *.ftmd)
• Classic Family Tree Maker files (*.ftw)

This means you do not have to create a GEDCOM of your Family Tree Maker file in order to move the data to RootsMagic.

If you already own RootsMagic 7, you can check for program updates to make sure you are running the latest version. To learn how to do this and how to import your Family Tree Maker Files into RootsMagic 7.1 see the RootsMagic Blog. In particular the March 7 post.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

AncestryDNA on Sale until March 17th

It's a St. Patrick's Day Sale!

AncestryDNA is on sale for $89 plus taxes, shipping and handling until March 17 at 11:59 p.m ET. That is a 10 percent savings off the regular price of $99 for the test.

AncestryDNA is an Autosomal DNA test that both males and females can take to learn their ethnicity mixture and aid in their search for relatives.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library! 
LE

March 12, 2016, is ... Genealogy Day ... Just One Thing Celebrated Today by Some

Specific days, months, even years are often designated as local, national or even world-wide days, months, or years to observe or commemorate public issues, social causes, heritages/ethnicity, historic events, noted individuals, and even food or other items.

Apparently today, that is March 12, 2016, covers a lot of territory making today:

• Girl Scout Day
• International Fanny Pack Day (Really? Maybe at a library/archive.)
• National Alfred Hitchcock Day
• National Baked Scallops Day
• National Plant a Flower Day
• ... and Genealogy Day 

So how did Genealogy Day get started? It was created in 2013 by a church in Limerick, Ireland, to celebrate it's 200th Anniversary. For the day the church got together not only its own combined records but also those of other area churches. Attendees could find out about their ancestors. The day proved popular and was repeated the next two consecutive years. It is unclear if the event in Limerick is being held again this year.

Regardless, do something for your own genealogy today! Search, enter and source, organize, learn, interview an elderly family member (or prepare the questions) ... there are many different ways to do something for your genealogy.

Have fun with it. Perhaps incorporate one of the day's other observances. Play on old Hitchcock film while researching. Or write about your grandmother and plant her favorite flower. (If it's too cold yet, like it is here, plant some seeds inside and then water and wait repeating as necessary.)

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Free Access to Irish Records on Ancestry.com until March 17, 2016

Ancestry.com is offering free access to Irish Records until March 17, 2016, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

See the Irish Collections page to see which collections are included.

Remember, for free access you do not need to subscribe, do a free-trial or provide your credit card. If you see any of this, you have clicked on the wrong thing. Simply register for a free username. You do this by going to the link above and starting a search. Then a pop-up window will show asking for your name and email address. Fill that in and as it says a username and password will be sent to your email.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

RootsWeb: Signs the Site is Returning

RootsWeb home page as of March 8

As you researched around the internet late this weekend and more so today, you may have found little signs that RootsWeb is coming back to life. 

Now don't everyone run out at once because we do not want to break it before the website is truly back up and running. Though this does look promising, we won't know until Ancestry.com officially announces RootsWeb is back if anything was lost.

Some groups have reported their RootsWeb hosted sites were back up and then went down again but that some had returned again. So don't be surprised if you find the same happening to the site you are visiting. Patience is needed until Ancestry announces the all clear.

So the estimate of when the RootsWeb website might return ... sometime around March 15 still stands as of right now. Keep your fingers crossed.

Rootsweb.com is the oldest and largest free genealogical community website. 

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library! 
LE

This Wednesday's Let's Talk...Genelaogy topic is Back to Basics: Probate Records

This Wednesday, March 9, at 7 p.m. in the Genealogy/Local History Room of the Mount Clemens Public Library is MCGG's Let's Talk...Genealogy meeting. The discussion topic of the night is Back to Basics: Probate Records. 

We'll talk about the terms and types of records you might encounter and where to find them. Let's share our favorite lines or facts learned from probates too! 

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

Newly Released Pricing Information on Family Tree Maker by MacKiev

Yesterday we told you that Family Tree Maker 2014 and Family Tree Maker for Mac 3 are available for purchase again from MacKiev.com, the company that actually worked on the program for Ancestry.com and eventually bought FTM after Ancestry.com discontinued it.

MacKiev has fixed some bugs; made some performance improvements; added some royalty free backgrounds; and integrated a third-party service for printing high-resolution charts from Family ChartMasters. (It is an optional pay-service feature to print fancy/large poster charts. Don't worry you can still make your own charts and print to your own printer.)

Today, we have more details on the pricing for this update which is called Family Tree Maker 2014.1 and Mac 3.1.

1. If you already own Family Tree Maker 2014 or Mac 3 from Ancestry, the free update to 2014.1 and Mac 3.1 are coming in about a week or so from the built-in automatic update feature in Family Tree Maker. And email will be sent as soon as it is available.

2. Users of older Family Tree Maker editions, no matter how old or if Windows or Mac, you can download an upgrade for just $29.95 (instead of the regular price of $69.95) for a limited time. MacKiev set up a special upgrade page for this promo offer.

3. New users who have never owned Family Tree Maker before, can purchase a download of the full program for a special introductory price of $49.95 for a limited time. MacKiev set up an special pricing page for this promo offer.

In addition for those that want a backup disc, you can purchase a CD with case for an extra $10 including shipping and handling at the time of your purchase.

Please note that the system requirements for Family Tree Maker 2014.1 and Mac 3.1 are:

• Windows: Windows 7 and later including Windows 10, 675MB hard disk space, 2GB of RAM, 1024x768 resolution
• Mac: OS X 10.8 or later including OS X 10.11 "El Capitan," 500MB hard disk space, 2GB of RAM

Make sure the computer you are using meets these requirements. Also note that you may need to install the program "as administer."

To keep up with what is going on, make sure you are on MacKiev's Product News email list so you will be notified of future information, updates and pricing offers.

There is a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page for Family Tree Maker that answers many common questions. Reading this FAQ is very helpful.

MacKiev has also established a Family Tree Maker Support Page for current versions of Family Tree Maker Windows and Mac along with past versions of Family Tree Maker. At this time it is fill-in form for technical assistance.

For some questions or problems you may find the solution on the Family Tree Maker message boards (Family Tree Maker Software and Family Tree Maker Software Mac) over at the Ancestry.com website.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

New TV Show: Long Lost Family Airs this Sunday on The Learning Channel (TLC)

There's a new TV show that begins airing on The Learning Channel (TLC) this Sunday, March 6 at 10 p.m. ET called Long Lost Family.

The eight-episode series features family members trying to reunite with birth parents, biological families, or children placed for adoption.

Everyone has different television delivery/provider systems. Use your television provider's schedule system to find the TLC channel number on your provider system and to learn when the show will be re-aired again.

Also, the episodes are usually available on the TLC website page sometime after they have aired. So if you don't have TLC you should be able to watch the show on your computer over the internet.

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

Tomorrow: Alan Naldrett Presents Lost Towns of Macomb County & Vicinity

On Friday, March 4, at 1:00 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Mount Clemens Public Library, historian and author Alan Naldrett will present Lost Towns of Macomb County & Vicinity.

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

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

Family Tree Maker 2014 and for Mac 3 are Shipping Again

Family Tree Maker 2014 and Family Tree Maker for Mac 3 are available for purchase again. 

MacKiev.com, the company that actually worked on the program for Ancestry.com and eventually bought FTM after Ancestry.com discontinued it, has made some updates and fixed as many known bugs as it could.

If you already own Family Tree Maker 2014 (from Ancestry) make sure you are on MacKiev's Product News email list so you will be notified when the free update for current FTM2014 owners becomes available. (You don't need to buy anything until the next major version is released.)

If you do not already own Family Tree Maker 2014 but want it, make sure you are on MacKiev's Product News email list so you get the notice of the reduced introductory pricing. (MacKiev says this offer will be sent March 4.) The regular price will be $69.95 with the introductory price set at $49.95.

There is a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page for Family Tree Maker that answers many common questions. Reading this FAQ is very helpful. If you own an older version of Family Tree Maker (Family Tree Maker 2012 or Family Tree Maker for Mac 2) and missed out on buying the FTM 2014 download from Ancestry.com, there is a discount price ($29.95) for those upgrading.

The software is available as a download product or as a CD product.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Who Do You Think You Are? on The Learning Channel (TLC) Starts April 3

The next season of Who Do You Think You Are? starts on April 3 at 9 p.m. EDT on the cable television channel, The Learning Channel aka TLC. Just one month away!

Celebrity guests announced so far for this season are: Scott Foley, Lea Michele, Chris Noth, Molly Ringwald, Katey Sagal, and Aisha Tyler. 

Everyone has different television delivery/provider systems. Use your television provider's schedule system to find the TLC channel number on your provider system and to learn when the show will be re-aired again.

Also, the episodes are usually available on the TLC website page sometime after they have aired. So if you don't have TLC you should be able to watch the show on your computer over the internet.

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

Ancestry.com Releases Catholic Parish Registers 1655-1915 Indexed with Images

Ancestry.com also released a new database collection last night/today for those searching Irish ancestors. That collection is: Ireland, Catholic Parish Registers, 1655-1915. The database is indexed and includes digitized microfilm images. (These appear to be the same digitized microfilms from the National Library of Ireland's collection that FindMyPast is also accessing for its collection.)

Though there is no mention of free access to this database at Ancestry.com, remember the Mount Clemens Public Library has Ancestry Library Edition for patron use in the library. Bring your laptop or a USB drive.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

AmericanAncestors.org Opens 4 Databases for Free Access in March

AmericanAncestors.org website has announced it's free databases for the month March 2016.

Vermont is celebrating its 225th birthday this month so this month's databases are:

• Early Vermont Settlers to 1784
• Vermont Births, Marriages and Deaths to 2008
• Vermont Soldiers in World War I
• Vermont Miscellaneous Censuses and Substitutes, 1778-1822, 1840

To access the free databases simply create a free guest user account if you do not already have one. If you are an NEGHS member, simply sign into your account.

Registered guest users get access to a limited suite of databases; access to webinars, how-to videos and downloads; and can make purchases from the online store. Did you know that guest users also get free access to other new databases for the first 30 days that database is online? There are lots of great reasons to register as a guest user or become a member of the NEGHS society.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library! 
LE

Free Access to Entire Irish Records Collection on FindMyPast March 1 - 7

Got Irish ancestors? 

Well, get on over to FindMyPast from today, March 1 until 6:59 p.m. ET March 7, for free access to its entire collection of 110 million Irish Records.

A dedicated search page has been created for this free access week.

The free access week is to celebrate FindMyPast's release of over 10 million new Irish Catholic Parish Records on March 1 adding to the largest collection of online Irish records. These parish records are fully indexed for the first time and they will be free to search forever. Records dating from 1671 to 1900 are included in the collection and are linked to images of the original documents.

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 Find My Past 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. FindMyPast has a list of all databases included in the Irish collection.

After this free access week is over, you will be able to search the Irish Catholic Parish Records for free but to view the image of the original document you will need to have a FindMyPast subscription. Some libraries, such as the local LDS Family History Libraries, have institutional subscriptions for patron use while in the library.

Have fun searching.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

An Estimate for the Return of RootsWeb

The revised message at the RootsWeb website.

There is now an estimate of when the RootsWeb website might return ... sometime around March 15. Apparently some hardware failed.

Rootsweb.com is the oldest and largest free genealogical community website. Hopefully, the "surgery" is a success and our good-old but still of value friend can return to the genealogical community. 

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE