During our 8 May session we did a quick overview of the Four Genealogy Giants, with emphasis on each of their strengths and data.

The main topic for this meeting was to "Create a book" using Family Tree Maker.  We went through each of the steps for creating the title page, table of contents, photo pages, pedigree charts, descendant charts, index and much more.  There is tremendous power are your fingertips to pull out of Family Tree Maker a great printed book of pdf file for sharing with your family (free).  I will send a pdf file of the presentation (steps) to all the 2019 paid members of our genealogy club.  All of our attendees with laptops at the meeting created their own example book along the way.  There was a quick overview for using Ancestry "MyCanvas" online book creation and also using the plug-in from Family Book Creator to automatically generate a book from Family Tree Maker - both of these options do cost money ($).

At our next meeting we will review "Create a book" using Family Tree Maker, answering questions.

We had a great class today to discuss and Family Tree Maker (FTM) and how to create books or manuscripts from FTM.  Also, how to use MyCanvas (part of Ancestry) for online publishing and "Family Book Creator" as a plug in to FTM for producing books.  Our major focus was on how to use FTM to create your own customize book or pdf file.  If you are interested in the handout or guide on how to do this, please send bakerlynnd@gmail.com an email and he will send you the presentation used at todays session.

Keep exploring your family past and fun new discoveries.

Lynn Baker
845-242-2344

The Charleston Family History will change its hours beginning on May 1, 2019.   The new schedule is as follows:

11 am to 7 pm - Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays
11 am to 3 pm - Fridays
11 am to 3 pm - 2nd & 4th Saturdays only
Closed Sundays & Mondays

DIRT Meeting - Doing State Research in the USA

We discussed and showed 9 websites for doing research at the state level.  Then each person pick "one" site (not to overlap) and took 45 minutes to investigate that site for information.  Then each person discussed with everyone else what they had found and how to use the site.  Here is a handout with the 9 suggested sites for today:  Click here

Items that were re-enforced:
- Use different websites for looking up the same information, do not depend upon only one place
- Use different search criteria
- Go back to the site later, there is always new information being posted
- Write down your path and what you find or do not find
- Explore
- Have fun

We also discussed the following:
Charleston Chapter South Carolina Genealogical Society: https://charlestongenealogy.org/
Upcoming: Census Puzzle, do you know all the pieces by Pat Kruger
          - Sunday, 28 Apr, 2:30-3:30 Masonic Temple, 1285 Orange Grove Rd, West Ashley
Upcoming Creating your own Free Blog for Genealogy: May 23: 7:00-9:00 PM

There is a change in topic for the next meeting on May 8, we will demonstrate and for those of you with Family Tree Maker, have you create a book of one of your ancestors.

Our session on April 10th was an overview and update on "Interpreting Your AncestryDNA" and included the new tagging of your Matches and the new Thrulines analysis.

The group had a great discussion about what information they had found about their ancestors and how they had found the information.

Here is a copy of the new handout: click here

March 27 DIRT Meeting

Our focus for this meeting was FamilySearch Deep Dive session II.  The handout for the FamilySearch: click here

FamilySearch crib sheet: Click here

Before we got to the main topic we covered:

Digital Afterlife, keeping track of your digital information - excel spreadsheet: Click here
Research log excel spreadsheet: Click here
Genealogy Checklist: Click here

During the Family Tree Maker session (3:30-4:30) we covered these topics:
Family Tree Maker Media: Click here
Family Tree Maker Web Search Ancestry and FamilySearch: Click here

Getting the Most out of FamilySearch Part I

Before we got into the main topic, there was a demonstration of using the flat bed scanner for slides.  Next we shared the AncestryDNA Thrulines new view and discussed its use in genealogy.  We had an additional discussion of 52 Questions and asked if anyone else wanted to be included.  If you want to get the 1 question a month, then send a note to Lynn Baker (bakerlynnd@gmail.com) to be added to the list.
Referenced guides:
Genealogy Checklist: Click here
Research log example: Click here

As we went through how to do FamilySearch Name level searches, everyone had an opportunity to use the search methodology on their own computer to make discovers while learning new ways to get citations and use some of the often overlooked capabilities in FamilySearch.
FamilySearch top overview of screens: Click here
FamilySearch Part I/II handout: Click here

In the extended session (3:30-4:30) we focused on Family Tree Maker, how to use the features for inputting your family tree: Peope - Tree/Person View crib sheet: Click here
Here is an additional set of instructions for adding Media to your Family Tree Maker: Click here