To or Not to do.

For all of us working on our trees,  usually, have a program  on out computer.  I started out with PAF  then went to Ancestral Quest both these are good though PAF  is not made anymore.   Now I use Rootsmagic and I really love it.

One suggestion I have for you when you are doing your tree.   Decide what you want on it.  What I mean is   each entry  you have not just the names and dates and locations.  You  have usually a section to add photographs.  Decide if you want to attach just their portraits and headstones,  or the aforementioned and documents.  Yes, you can add a picture of the document for each of the events.   EXAMPLE.  a 1900 US FEDERAL CENSUS, if you're like most family hunters today, you have a copy of the documents on digital.

Do you just want their photos of them and their headstones? or do you want photos, headstones, and documents?
also, another good thing to think about is how much you want to include on your entries.  Good practice is everything.  Births, Baptism,Marriage, Death, Burial, Probate, Will, Military, Immigration, Emigration, Religion and whatever else you can think of.
If you are researching English and others as I'm not forgetting to include them,  but as I am doing my English side, this is all I have run across so far.   Many traveled to other countries to visit or vacation.  Most programs you can make a new event name,  but some you can't,  for ones, that can't.  Remembering Immigration and Emigration is important.   This is confusing  cause they basically mean the same thing.   Immigration is if you are moving from one country to another for good.  Emigration is if you are moving from within,  this is one way of putting it and once again very confusing.  IF  you don't have an option to making an even for Traveling to and from.   Use Immigration and Emigration.   I use Immigration for traveling to and Emigration for coming back.  Makes sense?
But overall plan on what you want to include on each entry, this will help make your tree more full and have depth.

Happy Hunting

example of a document  this is a British Document, But it will give you an idea

Product Review ScionPC Genealogy Program

OK, I have tried many programs for doing genealogy. Reason being one to find the one that is best for me and also when asked I can give an accurate review and opinion on it. Today I have chosen SCIONPC this is a new program I just heard of. so Let us get started first their page. http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/scionpc/index.htm

Their site is clean, clear to understand and very professional.

2nd. their download page:

Also very clean and to the point, giving you different choices on where to get the program.  Both are zips so it really doesn't matter, It's how you feel safe using.   I downloaded from Softpedia with no issues and I'm running Windows10. It does not root onto your computer so a simple delete of the folder will do to eliminate from your computer, no uninstalling.   When unzipped it puts it in a folder in your downloads folder, So, if you keep that folder clean I'd save it to somewhere else  I just put it on my desktop.

3rd. Clean first start up

ok,  easy install and that is all I can say about it.    It says you can upload a GEDCOM, which I went and did from a GEDCOM  I saved from Rootsmagic.    NOPE, would not upload it, it has to be in ANSI.. most GEDS  are UTI and it does not say this anywhere on their site.  But if your program you are using gives you the option to save to ANSI  then it should work. ALSO , if you are trying to upload your Gedcom from Ancestry it WILL NOT accept it. 

SO, this is an easy review for me.  Though it looks simple it is not worth it.   It looks easy to use  but if it won't accept GEDCOM from other programs as it says, you will just have to enter every person again. so not worth it.   

Findagrave

One good site to utilize is FINDAGRAVE.COM This site is the best one for cemeteries. It is a site of memorials for your loved ones. Some may have photographs of the person. Most just have a photograph of the headstone. Remember that the photographs do belong to the person that took them. So be courteous and ask if ok if you copy. The Memorials are a good place to not only see the headstones of a loved one. But may also hold obituaries with more information

Tutorial Site on Youtube

Hey I have put together a Youtube channel.   Yep I'm branching out.    In this channel I make tutorial Video's on how to use a site.   How to do stuff on Ancestry, Familysearch.  SO please hope on over and check it out if you are having any kind of issues.  and if there is not a tutorial. please  please leave me a comment either here or on the channel on what you would like to see and I will make sure I make one for you .  Thank you


Norsk Reise  Youtube  Tutorial Channel

I've got two of same name, same birth same place what to do?

YEP,  been there and done this millions times.   Specially yesterday. Updating all of my tree I found more information on a distant cousin on my maternal side.   Go on Ancestry.com  and find all the listings,  scrolling through  YAY  found his birth.   continue  Find his death,    screech brakes theres another entry two down from him   Same person, Same birth Year,   Same Death Year, Different Months,  different Towns  but the towns are right next to each other.  ugh  which is the right one. 

This is one dilemma many Genealogist's come across.  most would say benefit of the dought would be the correct one is the one in the same town he has been living in.  Unless hes jumped around like mine.  Best thing to do as I do.  I attach the one I believe is the correct one, this one being the one in same town.  and make a copy of the other one so I have it.  and try to find more documentation on him. Unfortunately this being in another country then I am and not being able to get there to go to the archives and such,  you could either contact the Archives or keep digging through all the documents on your sites, Ancestry, Rootsweb, Familysearch......  

Of as some may do   benefit the dought and coincidental, the one in same town most would choose.  As many genealogist go by the its to coincidental that this one is passing in the town he has always been in.    Its a guessing game most of the time until the proof shows up.  BUT  as always  if you come across the same instance where you have two of the same and not sure.  Attach the one you believe and always make a copy of the other so you have it and then if you find out it is the correct one  you have it and its simply a delete old and add  instead of hunting it down again.

Whatever you do.............

Just as it says   whatever you do.  ALWAYS ENTER all pertinent information when documenting.   I Shortened as I  thought  IT'S just for me.  BUT  now I know, it's important to put all information on your program and online sites you are using for your family history.  Example #1  Shows you if your on Ancestry  and any Genea programs what to save from the document.  YOU  can either copy and paste from the actual site or type it up from the actual document but remember  everything is important.

This is just from a 1940  EVERY DOCUMENT  all pertinent information needs to be saved.    PLUS DO NOT  forget to  put in where you got the information from.  Just getting the information is important, but documenting its validity is more important.   Once it's is proven valid  it's in stone and no one can argue  saying  your wrong.   NOPE  you go the proof.

Write your story....

The mowing machine's whirring sounded cheerfully from the old buffalo wallow south of the claim shanty, where bluestem grass stood thick and tall and Pa was cutting it for Hay."  Your sitting there in solitude curled up on the couch reading Laura Ingall's Wilder's  The Long Winter.

Think of your research as writing your families story  just like Laura Ingall's Wilder did.  Your research, gather and hunt for all this little bit of information here and there.  But in the end when you piece all that information you gathered together it starts to form their story.

Below is My Kinship (well a little bit of it).  As I work at becoming a Registered Genealogist or Certified one, I have to make my portfolio showing I am well educated and versed in research.  One of these Items I have to do is make a kinship report.  Showing I can write my family or A family story by all I have found.

First Generation

Ole Halvorsen Svang , was born on 13 Mar 1822 in Nes, Hallingdal, Buskerud, Norway.² He was christened on 2 Jun 1822 in Nes, Hallingdal, Buskerud, Norway.³ Ole and Birgit Nilsdatter Brekke were married on 11 Jun 1853 in Gol, Hallingdal, Buskerud, Norway.⁴ Birgit Nilsdatter Brekke was born 19 Feb 1832 in Gol, Hallingdal, Norway ⁵ and Christened on 15 Apr 1832 In Nes, Hallingdal, Norway. ⁶ They were sealed in marriage together on 19 Nov 2004 in the Chicago Illinois Temple of the LDS Church ⁷ He immigrated on The Ship Sirius with his Wife and 8 Children, arriving in the New World by means of Quebec on 11 Jun 1866.⁸ Travel on the Ships at this time where hard and many became sick and or died on board, Living below decks usually was cramped. The Sirius ¹⁵ was carrying 235 passengers in Steerage, records state that two passengers died of senile debility on the voyage and two children were sick with diarrhoea. The ship was so filthy that it was detained in quarantine till cleaned. They boarded another ship that took them down the St. Lawrence Seaway to lake Michigan and onto the Port of Chicago. Once arriving in Chicago they started to make their way west making home in The Montevideo, Minnesota area .

In the mid 1870's he was able to obtain land in Lisbon, Minnesota and at least three of his children had gotten married. He filed his Declaration of Intent for ¹¹ Citizenship on 20 April 1872⁹ in the District Court in Chippewa Cty, Minnesota. Moving around 1872, Ole, Birgit, and their unmarried children moved via covered wagon to the Area around Webster in Day County, South Dakota ¹⁰ to make their final home near Lynn Lake. Ole Finally was Naturalized In Day County, South Dakota on 12 Nov 1888.¹¹ Ole obtained a Homestead consisted of 200 acres of land ¹²next door to his Daughter Kari. He most likely was a farmer, turning his land over for food for his family and or pay. Farming wasn't as it is now, they did not have the power machines we have now. Farmers were continually clearing the land. Depending on where they lived. Grubbing out tree stumps and burning them, using an old fashioned plow, being pulled by an oxen, or horse. Building log barns to house the animals. Bringing in enough hay and grasses to supply the animals for the winter months. Hauling dried wood to heat the homes with an old wood burning stove. Chopping wood and hauling coal in from the Mississippi river area. Planning enough food for survival during the winter months. Hunting and then processing the hides properly . Maintaining a horse and buggy to get back and forth to shop and attend church. Baby's born at home. Having to go fetch the Doctor. Butchering their own meat. Preparation and storage. Washing clothes. Indian visits. Making their own ammunition for their guns. Keeping a good water supply for them and the animals. Grain storage. Home schooling the kids. Asking for visit is from the local Minister or Preacher. Fencing to keep the animals confined. and the list goes on.

Ole lost his farmstead in 1897 and his wife Birgit his wife passed away just two days later.¹³ He continued to live on the farmstead until 1905 when it was sold to another gentlemen, and he moved into the nearby town of Pierpont where he lived for the Next year until his death in 1907. ¹⁴

As you can see I stated the facts and labeled those facts with the Sources.  (Well I'm not listing the sources here but you can see the numbering for the sources in the Article.  This is still a work in progress.  But by this you can see the story of my Great Great Grandparent's Life.

 I can not stress enough how important it is to talk to OLDER  family members.  Why, well If I had talked and listened and taken notes from My grandfather he would be able to tell me more of His Grandparents as he most likely knew them and talked to them.  Log your information  Plus write their story in whatever form you choose.  Be a book format,  a Scrapbook using photograph's and words.