Research tools

Extracting data from the census records in the past was done with pencil and paper.  I grew up with pencil and paper and it is natural to take notes in that manner.  I'm working on going paperless with my research (what a struggle!) so I've worked on creating a spreadsheet for each census that can be saved in the family file.  Each spreadsheet has a comment area so I can quickly see what struck me as I extracted the information.

I am also entering the data into a database.  Not each detail but an abstract of the information with all names included tagged.  This is tied to a citation table.  It takes a little more time to document everything, but I think in the long haul it will be worth it.  I can now get a display (I'm not printing, remember paperless!) of sources ready to be copied and pasted into my family narrative.  I am also ready to create a story about my family using the database. 

The database includes any document or information I find that I feel like helps tell the story or provides clues about my family. 

I originally thought I would keep the database for my entire family of 64,000 people.  I have changed my mind.  Each family will have its own database.  I may break my largest family into the original three brothers consisting of three databases, however, that particular family is so intertwined over the years I need to put some thought into it.  The other difficulty is duplicate names.  Each family has duplicate names, but the three brothers family is unreal.  So far my solution is to put the birth year after the name to help distinguish all the Georges.  However, I'm concerned that will not be enough.

RootsTech

I enjoyed the conference and learned some great things. The conference was well-organized and the volunteers helpful.  The keynote speakers (except for one) were fabulous.  

I have some new free sites to post. I'll try to get them up in the next few days. 

The emphasis was telling a story in the family history and not making it just about the dates and places.  I've collected stories all along, but I have not done a good job of putting them together or sourcing them, especially when I first started.

There were lots of great resources presented to help genealogists with their family stories, however, they all want your money AND your research.  Of course, they aren't going to pay your for your research as they are doing you such a favor to allow you to have a spot on their site to share.  Share was the other big emphasis at the conference.  Am I the only one frustrated with the paid sites for wanting me to upload my information while they charge others to look at it? 

I wanted to see what is available to help document and organize my information.  I've decided against changing software programs, however, I remain very frustrated with Family Tree Maker.  FTM didn't help their cause by NOT being at the conference.   I found some venders with some products that looked interesting, but they are paid sites and only web based.  I want something that resides on my computer.  The vendors tried to sell me on the point that I could access my data from everywhere, but I have a cloud that allows me to access it from anywhere.  I want to be able to access my data when I have no access to the internet...so I need it on my computer.

Since I didn't find a commercial product that fit my interests, I'm trying to create what I want using a database.  It's been slow going, but I am getting there.  I think. 

Sad Events

I continued to work on the Baldwin family today.  Some new information learned that sticks in my mind is a father committing suicide five months after his wife died.  He was in his 60s.  He seemed to have a full life as he was active in the community and with his children. Wonder why suicide?

Then I learned a distant cousin in this family died on the USS USS Bismark. The military headstone card said he was KIA (killed in action) and his body was non-recoverable. The Bismark was the last US Navy carrier destroyed in WWII. Two Japanese kamikazes hit the ship and 318 men were lost. Donald was 19. So sad.  

Finally, a Baldwin mother of four boys gave birth to twin boys in 1923, but sadly she died.  Her sister took the twins and raised them until her death in 1931.  She had several children of her own, the twins were the youngest.  After her death they returned to their father and several half-siblings as their father remarried.  As I've worked on this all day, I need a break. I will learn more about the twins and siblings tomorrow.
 

Carlson-Stewart Family

Julia Stewart Carlson is a second cousin, 3x removed for my husband.  I've spent the last few days working on her family line.  I've stumbled on some of her children and I am looking for some help.  (The family was located in Utah.)

It doesn't appear (or at least I haven't found) Anthony Clinton Carlson, b 1893, had any biological children and was married twice.

Blanche, b Sep 1899 in Utah, appears on the 1900, 1910 and 1920 census.  I cannot find her in the death records, marriage records or listed in any obituaries. There is a Blanche Carlson listed in the Western States Marriage index but that's a different Blanche.  (darn!) Blanche, where are you?

Retta, turns out to be Anna Larita who goes by Margaret.  She died in 1989.

Orlean (Bud) is the father of two children.  Dale W and Sally Ann.  I am guessing they were born in the 1930s.  I would like to know more about them.

In Orlean's obit a sister Sally Meister in Van Nuys, California is listed and a brother Andy in Retsil, Washington is listed.  I cannot find them on any census records or any other mention of them.  Any help with them would be greatly appreciated.

Anyone out there have any information to share?