Macomb County Obituary Index Updated!

The Macomb County Obituary Index located on the website
of the Mount Clemens Public Library.

Yesterday the Macomb County Obituary Index on the Mount Clemens Public Library website was updated! Learn more details about the update on the Macomb County Genealogy Group's FaceBook page.

Don't forget to utilize this index and many others before your visit to the Mount Clemens Public Library's Local History and Genealogy Room that way you can spend more time seeking actual records instead of searching the indexes.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Lapeer County Genealogical Society will Meet on March 14, 2017 in Lapeer

The Lapeer County Genealogical Society is still without a website so as a courtesy MCGG would like to let you know that LCGS's next meeting is on Tuesday, March 14, at 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Lapeer.

Deb Rubenstein is presenting "Goodland Township: Past, Present, and Projects."

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Next MCGG Friday Meeting is March 10

On Friday, March 10, at 1:00 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Mount Clemens Public Library, De Witt S. Dykes, Jr., associate professor of History at Oakland University, will present The Underground Railroad in History and Memory.

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

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

Basics: Keeping Track of Records is the Next Let's Talk...Genealogy Meeting

On Wednesday, March 8, at 7 p.m. in the Genealogy/Local History Room of the Mount Clemens Public Library is the next MCGG's Let's Talk...Genealogy meeting. Our topic for the night is ... Basics: Keeping Track of Records.

There are various ways to keep track of things. We'll cover paper and computer including some basics for setting up a word processing or spreadsheet file. Learn and share tips on these are other methods.We'll share our favorite sites or new things we have seen that have helped us with our research. 

New attendees are always welcome.

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

Library of Congress Launches Portal to its World War I Collection & Digitized Assets

The Library of Congress recently launched a portal for its World War I collection. The World War I portal is part of the Library of Congress' commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the U.S. involvement in the war. It is a one-stop destination page for digitized versions of many of assets.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

The MCGG Resource Development Session is this Friday, February 24th at 1 p.m.

Databases created with volunteer help.

On Friday, February 24, at 1:00 pm in the auditorium of the Mount Clemens Public Library, we are holding one of our MCGG Resource Development Sessions. 

What is a Resource Development Session? It is where those of us who want to contribute back index circuit court and other Macomb County records to create databases to help other researchers. It does not matter if you have Macomb County ancestors or not. It's a nice way to help others; learn what is involved in an indexing projects; and if you do have Macomb County ancestors ... who knows you might just find one. 

So for those of you who are in the Mount Clemens area, PLEASE JOIN US. 

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

It's Free Access Weekend at Ancestry.com to Over 1 Billion UK Records

More genealogy news just keeps happening.

Ancestry.com is having a free access weekend to its UK records this weekend. Free access runs from February 17, at 2 p.m. ET through February 20, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

These records are normally part of World Explorer or All access paid memberships so remember to save any image to your computer for future access.

You'll need a free account membership which does not require a credit card like the free trail membership so don't click on the wrong link. If you do not already have a free account membership you can create one with this link.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Get Ready for the Next Season of Who Do You Think You Are? It Starts March 5th!

We thought this should be happening soon but a search last week came up with no new news. It was just announced that the next season

— Season 9 — of Who Do You Think You Are? will begin on Sunday, March 5, at 10 p.m. ET on the cable television channel, The Learning Channel aka TLC.

Celebrity guests announced for this season's eight episodes are: Jessica Biel, Julie Bowen, Courteney Cox, Jennifer Grey, Smokey Robinson, John Stamos, Liv Tyler, and Noah Wylie.

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. You can keep up with the show in its Facebook page even if you are not on FaceBook.

And by the way, Season Two of Long Lost Family premiered on February 12. The show, which reunites long lost families, airs on TLC on Sunday nights at 9 p.m. You can catch last Sunday's episode on the website or through your cable provider's In Demand service.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

RootsTech 2017 Recorded Live Stream Sessions Are Available

Did you miss the LiveStream Sessions for RootsTech 2017?

Don't worry, the recorded sessions are now available on the RootsTech website. Just scroll down on the homepage and pick the day of the session you want to watch.

See our prior post for the list of sessions and how to access the handouts.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Follow Up to Family Tree DNA Autosomal Transfers -- Points to Understand

So the news is out that Autosomal Transfers at Family Tree DNA are now possible with the revised testings chips used by AncestryDNA and 23andMe.

Here are some points to make sure everyone understands:

• An Autosomal Transfer to Family Tree DNA is initially free.
• The Autosomal Transfer is a data transfer. No actual DNA is swapped between the companies.
• For instructions on how to download your DNA test results data from AncestryDNA, see here.
• For instructions on how to download your DNA test results data from 23andMe, see here. 
• Transfers from MyHeritage and Genographic will be supported in the near future.
• For free you get to see all of your matches* now not just the top 20 matches (which was the case prior to this) and you can use the FamilyFinder Matrix which allows you to select up to ten matches and see in a chart if they match each other too.
• *Transfers of tests on the AncestryDNA V2 chip and 23andMe V3 chip receive all but the most speculative matches (6th to remote cousins). If a customer wants to receive the speculative matches, a DNA sample will have to submitted so a FamilyFinder test (at a reduced price of $59) can be run.
• Depending on the volume of submissions, Autosomal Transfer results may take between one to twenty-four hours.
• All previously submitted Autosomal Transfers that were not unlocked prior, will now receive all their matches (not just the top twenty as was the case prior to this) and have access to the FamilyFinder Matrix too IF they have signed the release form. If the form is already signed the matches should just appear.
• At Family Tree DNA each individual's test kit is separate so you will have a separate kit number and password for each test kit you manage. You will not see all the kits you manage in one place like you do at AncestryDNA. So yes you can do an Autosomal Transfer for how every many tests you have at AncestryDNA and 23andMe but each will be managed separately at Family Tree DNA.
• For ethics sake, make sure you have the permission of the person (whose DNA test you manage) to add their test results to another resource be it Family Tree DNA or GedMatch or where ever.
• The cost to unlock a free Autosomal Transfer test (new and existing) to access the additional Family Finder tools is $19.
• When you unlock your Autosomal Transfer you get access to:
• A Chromosome Browser that allows you to see which segments of which chromosomes you and your match(es) share in either a graphic view and chart view. You also get the ability to see which matches you and another match share In Common or Not In Common.
• myOrigins gives you your ethnicity estimate/makeup
• A MyOrigins (ethnicity) update will be released very soon. So unlocked Autosomal Transfers at this time will only show broad population categories.
• ancientOrigins which compares your DNA to the DNA found at archaeological digs found throughout the European continent
• Besides this you can contact your matches if they allowed their email address to be viewed, and see a match's tree if that match has created one.
• Not sure which test kit results you already transferred? The transfer process will tell you this kit is a duplicate and list the kit number of the original submission.
• For Autosomal Transfer FamilyFinder Tests, if you want to add/upgrade to include a Y-DNA or mtDNA you will have to submit an actual DNA sample with that added test.

In addition, tests done at Family Tree DNA give you the option to enter your last know direct male and last know direct female ancestors by name, birth and location. There is also the option to enter a list of your surnames with locations. When a match has a same or similar surname entered as you have in your surname list, that surname appears in bold and at the beginning of your match's surname list. The surname list is a nice alternative if you don't want to put a tree online yet.

If you already have a FamilyFinder test (directly tested or prior autosomal transfer) you might want to check in on your match list a little more often in the future. We suspect the number of our matches will be growing.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Autosomal Transfers on Revised Chips Now Possible at Family Tree DNA

Here is some breaking news.

Family Tree DNA has solved the transfer problem and its Autosomal Transfer option now works with the revised test chips now used by AncestryDNA and 23andMe. 

So as of today if you have tested at Ancestry DNA or 23andMe you can download your raw DNA data results and upload the data to Family Tree DNA. That is if your autosomal DNA test results are on either the:

• AncestryDNA V1 chip (test results from before mid-May)
• AncestryDNA V2 chip (test results from about mid-May 2016)
• 23andMe V3 chip
• 23andMe V4 chip

Note that early 23andMe test results (prior to November 2013) on the 23andMe V1 chip or 23andMe V2 chip still can not be transferred.

As you may remember from previous posts, Family Tree DNA's Autosomal Transfer is initially free. What you get for free is: a list of your autosomal matches from the FTDNA database and access to the Family Finder Matrix which allows you to select and compare the autosomal DNA relationship between up to ten of your matches at one time.

And now for just $19 you can unlock the rest of the Family Finder features which includes the Chromosome Browser, myOrigin (ethnicity) and AncientOrigins. FamilyFinder is the name of Family Tree DNA's autosomal DNA test.

Autosomal Transfers were previously $39 to unlock the results. So if you have tested at either AncestryDNA or 23andMe and are curious about who might be in the match pool over at Family Tree DNA, you can save $60 by doing an Autosomal Transfer rather than an actual FTDNA FamilyFinder test that costs $79.

Of course, if you need/want a Y-DNA or mtDNA test then you would have to buy an actual test from Family Tree DNA. But if you are simply curious about autosomal matches this Autosomal Transfer is a great option.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Did You Know? SeekingMichigan.org Now Includes 1941 Death Certificate Images

Did you realize that the Archives of Michigan has loaded the images for the 1941 Michigan Death Certificates onto its SeekingMichigan.org website? 

With this year's annual update SeekingMichigan now has digitized Michigan Death Certificate images from 1897-1941 with indexes up to 1952.

Happy Searching and Happy Valentine's Day.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE 

SAR and MCGG to Host Free Genealogy & Lineage Workshop on April 29, 2017

The Detroit Metro Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) and the Macomb County Genealogy Group (MCGG) are hosting a free Genealogy Workshop: Pathway to Membership in a Lineage Society at Mt. Clemens Public Library on April 29, 2017, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Basic genealogy research and other topics will be covered including how to apply to various lineage societies like the Sons of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution. You will also learn of the genealogy resources of the Mount Clemens Public Library.

Bring your documents and laptop (if you have one) so one of the volunteers can help you review what you have done and give advice on what to do next. Not sure if you have a Revolutionary Patriot? A volunteer can help with that too. Representatives of the SAR, DAR and MCGG will be present.

To register contact Tom or Barb Reardon at 586-465-4021 tbreardon at comcast.net [note replace the " at " with @

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Sale at Amazon.com on Evidence Explained Third Edition (the Latest One)

Evidence Explained Third Edition
(Someone needs to transfer some notes from
the First Edition. A 2017 to do item?)

We spotted this on GeneaBloggers website and thought to pass it on to you since we have had several Let's Talk...Genealogy meetings with the topic of Sourcing and Citation.

Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace, Third Edition by Elizabeth Shown Mills, the so-called bible of sourcing and citation, is on sale at Amazon.com for 19 percent off ($48.65) the hardcover price and 26 percent off ($32.95) the Kindle price version.

Because the book is over $25 and is fulfilled and shipped by Amazon, anyone gets free shipping regardless of whether you have an Amazon Prime membership or not. Free shipping really can help cut down costs.

There is no indication of how long the sale will last.

For the Kindle electronic version which is not a PDF, you need a Kindle device or the Kindle app for your tablet/smartphone, or the Kindle desktop version for your computer.

Yes the thickness of the book is a bit scary, but the information in it really can help you craft a better source citation.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

DNA Sales for Valentine's Day in United States and for RootsTech Attendees

23andMe Autosomal DNA Test Kit

There is love are DNA sales in the air!

23andMe is having a Valentine's Day sale for customers in the United States on its Autosomal DNA test. You can save $20 on each DNA test kit with a limit of two kits per person. 23andMe has two versions of its test now. The sale ends February 14, 2017.

There is its Health + Ancestry Service which is on sale for $179 instead of $199 which is its regular price. This is the test version that 23andMe started with. Besides giving you DNA matches and an ethnicity breakdown, it will give you more than 65 online reports on your ancestry traits and health.

The other test version is just the Ancestry Service which is on sale for $79 instead of its $99 regular price. This version of the test give you your ethnicity percentage breakdown and DNA matches (similar to the other DNA companies) but no health information.

Shipping is extra which will be approximately $9.95 for one kit and $14.95 for two kits.

If you are an adoptee the standard advice is to test at all three DNA testing companies because they each have differing customer pools. Of the three companies, the 23andMe DNA match service has been more difficult to use but the company has been making some changes. Regardless of where you test, read the terms and opt outs to make sure you don't accidentally agree to something (like researchers using your data) that you personally don't want to happen.

If you are attending RootsTech 2017 later this week, Family Tree DNA will have its Autosomal DNA test kits on sale for $69 at its booth. You can also save the $10 on the test bundled with a full sequence MtDNA or Y-37 DNA test. If you take the test there and turn it in a the booth you'll save the shipping cost too. If not, you'll need to pay for shipping to send it in.

We will be keeping an ear out for upcoming DNA sales. Previous DNA sales times have been March Madness and St. Patrick's Day, Mother's Day and Father's Day. It's would not surprise us that one of the other test companies follows suit or makes their own reason for a sale.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Fold3 website's Black History Collection Free During the Month of February

During the month of February the Fold3 website is offering free access to its Black History Collection. This includes "colored" troop service records, court slave records, Amistad records, slave registry, and anti-slave records.

February is Black History month.

Just register for a 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.) 

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library! 
LE

On February 10: Understanding the Words Seen in German Church Books

This Friday, February 10, at 1:00 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Mount Clemens Public Library, MCGG member Lisa Eschenburg will present Understanding the Words Seen in German Church Books.

If you have research to do on German ancestors and do not know German, this presentation just might help you.

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

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

The Next Let's Talk...Genealogy Meeting is Have You Tried ...? Have You Seen ...?

This Wednesday, February 8, 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 ... Have You Tried ...? Have You Seen ... ?

We'll share our favorite sites or new things we have seen that have helped us with our research.

New attendees are always welcome. 

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

Learn More about MCPL's Genealogy & History Resources on February 16

If you want to learn more about the Local History and Genealogy Room at Mount Clemens Public Library, MCGG member Lisa Eschenburg will be presenting A "30-minute" Overview of the Genealogical and Historical Resources at the Mount Clemens Public Library at the Grosse Pointe Public Library's Ewald Branch on Thursday, February 16, from 1:30 p.m to 2:30 p.m.

Seating is limited so registration is required.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Remember Learning Opportunities for Genealogy are Always Out There

You blinked! So of course the weather changed -- it's Michigan!

If you are looking for a good excuse or several to stay inside rather than going outside in that freezing, cold weather, remember there are lots and lots of genealogy webinars to watch. Education over shoveling? Sounds good to us unless it is a meeting day.

Some webinars are free, some free for a short time, and others are by subscription. All of usually very informative.

MCGG member Bob McGarry recommends a Photography for Genealogy webinar from this week's FamilyTreeWebinars website. This particular webinar will be free until Wed., Feb. 8 to watch after that it goes behind the subscriber wall. Bob said many of the techniques can be applied to compact cameras even though they were done with a single lens reflex (SLR) camera. He also mentioned that the explanation of exposure modes was good.

Looking for more learning opportunities? Check out our prior posts on 2017 Learning Opportunities and the upcoming RootsTech 2017 conference's Live Streaming sessions schedule. And don't forget about the GeneaWebinars calendar which is useful to see if you missed a webinar.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE