Live Streaming of SCGS's 2019 Genealogy Jamboree Starts Today Register & Watch

The Southern California Genealogy Society (SCGS) opened up registration for the FREE live streamed sessions of the 50th Annual Southern California Genealogy Jamboree.

The 2019 Genealogy Jamboree begins Thursday, May 30, with the Genetic Genealogy Conference and continues Friday, May 31, through Sunday, June 2. There will be hours of free genealogy education Friday through Sunday with handouts available. Sponsorship by Ancestry.com is making this possible. Registration gets you a user login and password sent by email to join the live stream event.

The live streamed DNA sessions on Thursday are pay-to-view and must be registered for separately. If you have already payed/registered for the Thursday DNA sessions just log into your account and check the box at the bottom to add access to the free sessions. You will be sent a separate login for the Friday to Sunday free sessions.

Visit the SCGS blog site or the Jamboree website to see the complete schedule of live streamed sessions for each day.

If you can not watch the sessions live, you will be able to watch at your convenience before July 31, 2019, from the special Jamboree Archive. You will still need to register to view the special archive. Live stream registration will remain available until July 31, 2019. (These sessions from Jamboree will not be added to the regular webinar archive for SCGS members only.)

You will need the SCGS Jamboree 2019 App to access the session handouts.

The SCGS Jamboree 2019 app is made for smart phones just go to Google Play or the Apple Store (iOS) to download the app. Look for SCGS Jamboree 2019. The app has a tablet mode so it can be used by those too. There is a browser version (found here) accessible via browser on any computer for those without smart phones and tablets. To access a session's handout you must "browse" to that session's information page. Look for the PDF icon. There is no option to download all handouts for your sessions at one time. If a session handout is not there, check back at a later date to see if it has been added. Please note the Jamboree app is by the same company that provides the RootsTech app and it is showing similar issues discussed prior. Check previous posts on RootsTech or Jamboree to learn how to access the session handouts.

The sessions picked for live streaming are varied and look interesting so if you want to watch it all live plan your days accordingly and enjoy some genealogy education.

The 2019 Genealogy Jamboree Free Live Stream Sessions.
Please note that for the convenience of our MCGG members, we have listed the session start times in Eastern Time here rather than Pacific Time. Remember on the Jamboree pages, times are in Pacific Time.

Friday, May 31

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
FR010 Funeral Homes and Family History: They're Dying to Meet You presented by Daniel Earl

5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
FR019: Strategies for Finding the Locality of Your Irish Ancestors presented by Donna M Moughty

7:00 to 8:00 p.m
FR028: Major Midwestern Databases and Indexes for Family History Reserach presented by Paula Stuart-Warren, CG®, FMGS, FUGA

Saturday, June 1

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
SA009: Genealogy Pit Stop: Research in 15 Minute Increments presented by Thomas MacEntee

1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
SA018: Working More In-Depth with Mexican Civil Registration Records presented by Colleen Greene, MLIS

2:30 to 3:00 p.m.
SA027: Historical Maps: The World at Your Fingertips presented by Michael L Strauss, AG®

5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
SA036: Afro-Latinx in the Old West presented by Janice Lovelace, PhD

6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
SA045: Plain Folk -- Researching Amish and Mennonite Families presented by Peggy Clemens Lauritzen, AG®, FOGS

Sunday, June 2

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
SU009: Canadiana's Genealogical Treasures presented by Dave Obee

1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
SU018: Online Library Catalogs: A Genealogist's Best Kept Secret presented by D Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS

3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
SU027: Silent Voices: Telling the Stories of Your Female Immigrant Ancestors presented by Lisa Alzo, MFA

5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
SU036: Border -- What Border? Our Ancestor Who Called Both Canada and the USA Home by Annette Burk Lyttle

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Free Access Offer to Military Collections at Fold3 for Memorial Day Weekend

It's Memorial Day Weekend and Fold3.com is giving free access to its Military Collections until Tuesday, May 28, 2019.

You will need a basic Fold3 membership. If you do not already have one, 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

Macomb County Obituary Index Database is Back Up ... Let the Searches Commence

The Macomb County Obituary Index on the Mount Clemens Public Library website is back up and running. You can find it on the Macomb History and Genealogy Databases page on the Mount Clemens Public Library's website.

Thanks to Duane Kleino, Carole Wolfe, and Dianne Sinning the following records have been added. Roseville Review 1926-1931, Vandyke- Center Line Press 1926-1928, & some missing dates from the Mount Clemens Monitor 1907, 1918 & 1919. There are now 284,677 obituaries in this database.

And as a reminder, because this is Memorial Day Weekend, our favorite library is closed from Saturday, May 25, thru Monday, May 27. It will reopen at normal operating hours on Tuesday, May 28, 2019. But you still have tomorrow, Friday, May 24, to check out materials or visit the Local History and Genealogy Room.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Legacy Family Tree Webinars Sale, New Subscribers get 50% off One Year

Legacy Family Tree Webinars is having a sale. It is offering a one-year membership to the webinar subscription service (regularly $49.95 per year) for first-time members aka new subscribers for $24.98 -- that is 50 percent off.

Use coupon code web50 by May 28, 2019, at the Family Tree Webinars Store.

Family Tree Webinars Membership gets you 24/7 access to over 900 full-length webinars/classes covering a very wide variety of genealogy-related subjects and the handouts/syllabus to those webinars/classes.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!LE

Free Access to All Military Records at MyHeritage from May 22 to May 28, 2019

MyHeritage is giving free access to All Military Records in SuperSearch from May 22 to May 28, 2019, to help you learn more about your heroic ancestors.

Have a Safe Memorial Day Weekend Everyone!

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Channel 4 New MI Town Series Starts with History of Mt. Clemens in late 1800s

Click the link in the post text to go to the video.

Channel 4 WDIV had a segment on Monday night's newscast featuring "How Mt. Clemens became one of America's top tourist destinations in the late 1800s." It is the first of a new series segment called MI Town.

Though you don't see it in the video, they spent some time at our favorite library, Mount Clemens Public Library.

You can see the video of the report done by Steve Garagiola on the Click on Detroit Channel 4 website.

See You Soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Macomb County Obituary Index Database is Temporarily Down/Not Working

The Macomb County Obituary Index on the Mount Clemens Public Library website is temporarily disabled.

We will let you know when it is back up and running.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Attention: 3 Day Pre-Order Sale for Users of Family Tree Maker 2017 to Upgrade to Family Tree Maker 2019 Due this Summer

Software MacKiev is releasing an upgrade to Family Tree Maker this Summer and for the next three days Family Tree Maker 2017 users can pre-order the new edition -- Family Tree Maker 2019 -- and save $30 on cost of upgrading.

If you are registered on the Family Tree Maker mailing list that Software MacKiev runs, you should have received an email announcing the three day sale with the link to the sale.

Back in April, users of earlier versions of Family Tree Maker 2014.1 and earlier had a four-day opportunity to upgrade to FTM2017 at a discount and receive FTM2019 for free when it is released. This current sale is for Family Tree Maker 2017 users. Those that upgraded during the April opportunity are already good to go for FTM2019 edition.

This sale's details for Family Tree Maker 2017 users are: 

Family Tree Maker 2019
upgrade (download) regular price $59.95 ........ pre-order sale price is $29.95
Tree Vault Cloud Service (1 Year)  $20 ........................................................ free
Total $79.95 ..................................................................................................... $29.95

The above pricing is for receiving the program via Download WHEN IT IS RELEASED. If you want a copy of the program on DVD it is $10 more (so $39.95 for the pre-order sale) plus $5.95 shipping and handling. Or if you want a copy of the program on a wood USB drive it is $20 more (so $49.95 for the pre-order sale) plus $5.95 shipping and handling.

OR simply copy the downloaded file to an external device yourself for safe keeping. 

So what is Family Tree Maker 2019 aka the 30th Anniversary Edition bringing to the genealogy table?

The ability to "Turn Back Time" -- FTM2019 keeps track of your last 1,000 changes and gives you the ability to roll back with a click even if your last backup was before the mistake you want to fix.

FamilySearch integration "2.0" with the ability to import a branch from FamilySearch FamilyTree.

Hints from Ancestry and FamilySearch will be seen in the Index of People list.

Smart filters that update previously saved filtered lists with new entries that meet the saved filter parameters.

Tree Browser to find all related trees wherever they are -- on Ancestry, your hard drive, the cloud.

And, Folder counters. A Profile Picture cropping tool that does not affect the original photo. Rich color coding for color coding from home person and descendants of ancestors. TreeVault cloud services with Emergency Tree continuously updated copy of your tree, FTM Connect mobile app for iPad, iPhone and eventually Android, Historical Weather with more than a billion historical records, and Next of Kin to designate a successor to your TreeVault account.

And, yes the version of syncing trees in FTM2017 with Ancestry Online Member Trees is continued.

Lastly, remember with any computer program update make sure your computer meets the program's minimum operating system requirements.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

The App Shoebox is Shutting Down, Export/Save Your Files Before May 22

Do you use a video and photo storage app called Shoebox?

If so you will need to export your files from Shoebox to somewhere else (your computer, external drive, Google Drive or other cloud storage) before May 22, 2019. The Shoebox app service is closing down and ending its business. Everything will be erased and lost forever on May 22, 2019.

Thanks to the blog Canada's Anglo-Celtic Connections for the heads up.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Author of Into No Man's Land to Speak Thursday, May 9, at MCPL at 7 p.m.

On Thursday, May 9, 2019, at 7 p.m., the Mount Clemens Public Library is hosting a program by Irene Miller, author of Into No Man's Land: A Historical Memoir.
 
Miller, a Holocaust survivor, author, speaker, and educator, takes you on her survival journey. Hear Ms. Miller's riveting story and when it is over you will wonder how a child with this background grows up to become a positive, creative, accomplished woman with a joy of living and love to share. This program is one you don't want to miss! Copies of her book, Into No Man's Land: A Historical Memoir will be available for purchase.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Family Tree DNA's FamilyFinder & mtFullSequence Tests on Sale for Mother's Day until May 13, 2019

Family Tree DNA finally started its Mother's Day Sale which ends on May 13, 2019. Shipping and taxes are extra which vary depending on where the test is shipped. From a while back the shipping cost to Michigan was about $12.95 for one kit which covers the receiving and sending the test.

Currently on sale are: 

FamilyFinder (autosomal for male or female) regular price $79 ... now $59

mtFull Sequence (for one male or female) regular price $199 ... now $149

Family Tree DNA provides an ethnicity (admixture) report, list of DNA matches, chromosome browser and allows DNA matches to contact a match directly if that match allows it. Once tested, DNA samples are stored so that additional test types (upgrades) can be added if desired. Family Tree DNA is the only genealogy DNA testing company that offers all three DNA test types: autosomal, Y-DNA and mtDNA. No subscription is needed to see/use all the DNA matching features. See our previous post containing some Reminders and Cautions regarding changes with Family Tree DNA. 

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Wednesday is Our Annual Pot-Luck and Silent Auction -- Bring a Dish to Share, the Event Starts at 5 p.m., Dinner at 6 p.m.

A reminder to all MCGG Friday Group and MCGG Let's Talk...Genealogy members that Wednesday, May 8, is our Annual Pot-luck and Silent Auction combined meeting. Bidding starts at 5 p.m. and dinner is at 6 p.m. Bring a dish (homemade or store bought) to share and some money if you plan to place a bid.


The silent auction is primarily of genealogical materials with some history items.


Remember, to let Ann know if you are attending so we have an idea of how many tables/seats we will need. Reply to her recent email or use the Macomb email on our contact page. Of course, if you find you can attend at the last minute, don't worry we always have a few extra seats.

See you there!

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

Free Access at MyHeritage.com to All Danish and Finnish Records until May 12

MyHeritage.com is giving free access to all of its Danish and Finnish record collections until May 12, 2019.

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE

2019 Mother's Day DNA Sales

Mother's Day is just around the corner and that means there are Mother's Day DNA Sales taking place at 23andMe, LivingDNA, AncestryDNA, and MyHeritageDNA. Read below for the details of each sale and your potential savings.

23andMe
23andMe started its Mother's Day Sale back on April 19th. At its website you will find the 23andMe Ancestry + Health Service (autosomal DNA) test on sale for $169 (regularly $199) with taxes and shipping extra until May 13, 2019.

23andMe Ancestry Service (autosomal DNA) provides an ethnicity (admixture) report, list of DNA matches, chromosome browser and an internal member messaging system. 23andMe also provides a general look at your Y-DNA haplogroup (if male) and mtDNA haplogroup. No subscription is needed to see/use all the DNA matching features. See the 23andMe website to learn more about the Health service option.

As a reminder, 23andMe also sells its test kits on Amazon.com and often at sale prices when it is having a sale. (Make sure the seller shown is 23andMe fulfilled by Amazon and not sold by a third-party unauthorized seller.) Non-Amazon Prime members get free shipping due to the total cost and because it is fulfilled by Amazon; prime members just get quicker 2-day shipping for free.

Above: Look for this when buying on Amazon.

AncestryDNA
For Mother's Day the AncestryDNA (autosomal) test regularly $99 is on sale for $59, a savings of about 40 percent. Shipping and taxes are extra. This sale ends May 13, 2019, at 11:59 p.m. ET. For this sale, purchase two AncestryDNA kits are receive free standard shipping.

We are not sure if the FREESHIPDNA code will work with this sale but it does not hurt to try it.

Nearly 15 million AncestryDNA test kits have been sold now according to reports at the end of February during the RootsTech 2019 conference and a press release on February 28, 2019, by Ancestry. As the testing company with the largest "pool" of potential DNA matches it is a good place to start.

AncestryDNA test results provide an ethnicity/admixture report, a migrations report, a DNA match list, shared matches, an internal member messaging system, and automatic updates to results. 

If you do not have a data/records membership subscription you will not have access to some DNA features/tools. With an active paid subscription to Ancestry, the additional DNA features are New Ancestry Discoveries, DNA Circles, Shared Ancestor Hints, full access to matches' public trees, list of surnames in matches' trees, and list of birth locations in matches' trees. Access to these extra features end if you discontinue your data subscription. Some of these extra features require a public family tree linked to the AncestryDNA kit.

Ancestry offers an AncestryDNAInsights subscription (available by calling customer service) for about $49/year which would give access to all of the DNA tools but not any data/records. (Price as of 2016 we are not sure if the pricing has changed since then.)

Also mentioned with this sale is a new add-on to the AncestryDNA autosomal test called AncestryDNA Traits. This add-on which is currently advertised for $20 for new tests gives a look at 18 personal traits. These traits are: Sweet Sensitivity, Savory (Umami) Sensitivity, Bitter Sensitivity, Cilantro Aversion, Asparagus Metabolite Detection, Eye Color, Male Hair Loss, Hair Type, Hair Color, Hair Strand Thickness, Iris Patterns, Freckles, Cleft Chin, Unibrow, Finger Length, Skin Pigmentation, Earlobe Shape, and Earwax Type. New traits may be available in the future for additional costs. 

AncestryDNA is the one DNA/genealogy testing site that does not provide a chromosome browser tool which allows you to see the chromosome segments you share in common with a match which is one of the scientific ways to confirm a match is a true match and not a match by chance. To access a chromosome browser you would need to download your kit's DNA data and upload that data to one of the three companies that do provide a chromosome browser: MyHeritageDNA, Family Tree DNA, and the third-party GedMatch.com website.

Want to save on shipping costs? Remember AncestryDNA also sells its test kits on Amazon.com and often at sale prices when it is having a sale. Non-AmazonPrime members get free shipping due to the total cost and because it is fulfilled by Amazon; AmazonPrime members just get quicker 2-day shipping for free. But be cautious and make sure the test kit you are buying is "sold by AncestryDNAOfficial and fulfilled by Amazon" to insure you are buying a genuine test kit. You will find this information just below the sale price. See the image below.

Look for this before adding your item to your cart.

LivingDNA
To celebrate Mother's Day the LivingDNA autosomal DNA test regularly $99 is on sale for $79 plus shipping and taxes.

LivingDNA, based in the United Kingdom, offers an ethnicity estimate (80 world regions including 21 in Britain and Ireland); a general look at your Y-DNA haplogroup (if male) and mtDNA haplogroup; and a view of your ancestry in the context of history and the migration of them. LivingDNA results are updated for free as the system and technology are updated. The company is still working on the release of its opt-in Family Matches feature (seeing your DNA matches among those who have tested) which is currently in beta testings. If you have a lot of English and Irish ancestry the more detailed regions for Britain and Ireland in the ethnicity may be of interest to you. The company is still building itself so at a sale price it may be worth a try. Perhaps you will find a clue to direct your search.

As a reminder, LivingDNA sometimes sells its test kits on Amazon.com and often at sale prices when it is having a sale. (Make sure the seller shown is LivingDNA fulfilled by Amazon and not sold by a third-party unauthorized seller.) Non-Amazon Prime members get free shipping due to the total cost and because it is fulfilled by Amazon; prime members just get quicker 2-day shipping for free.

Look for this before adding your item to your cart.

MyHeritageDNA
For Mother's Day, MyHeritageDNA (autosomal) tests regularly $79 each are on sale for $69 each (plus taxes and shipping) until May 13, 2019, at 11:59 p.m. Orders of two or more DNA kits receive free shipping.

MyHeritageDNA is one of the newer players in the DNA and genealogy testing niche. Its customer base is more international. Early last year, the company has added a chromosome browser feature and made its internal member messaging feature free. It also offers an ethnicity/admixture report and a list of DNA matches. No data subscription is needed to see/use all the DNA matching features. A few additional features were added earlier this year.

As a reminder, MyHeritageDNA also sells its test kits on Amazon.com and often at sale prices when it is having a sale. (Make sure the seller shown is MyHeritage fulfilled by Amazon and not sold by a third-party unauthorized seller.) Non-Amazon Prime members get free shipping due to the total cost and because it is fulfilled by Amazon; prime members just get quicker 2-day shipping for free.

Look for this before adding your item to your cart.

Family Tree DNA
At the time of this post, Family Tree DNA has not revealed any Mother's Day sale news yet.
 

Happy Mother's Day everyone!

See you soon at Mt. Clemens Public Library!
LE