Sunday, December 31, 2017

Friday, December 22, 2017

Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel, Feliz Navadad

OMG I'm alive!!!! hahaha Too many crazy litte things have happened to keep me overly occupied since the beginning of November, and now it's Christmas, almost.

I'm in Huatulco Mexico and in about one hour my Son, his wife, and daughter [more importantly MY granddaughter hahaha] will arrive to spend this holiday with us. We are very blessed to have them, but will miss our daughter in Victoria. Such is life. sigh

So my friends I wish you all a very Merry Christmas wherever you may be, and whomever you may be with. Once this busy season is over I will TRY my best to get back to genealogy and this blog.


Cheers Everyone,
Pat

Sunday, November 12, 2017

Polish Research

So my eyes are still not good enough for me to really get into this website and figure out what it is, and how to use it, BUT instead of me probably losing the link I'm sharing it now. I imagine those of you familiar with Polish research will know what to do.

Oh I did have to hit the 'Translate' button twice to get it to work. Here ya go http://kami.net.pl/


Cheers,
Pat

For Canadian Military Researchers

Thanks to Gail Dever who has numerous links to military online research on her blog http://genealogyalacarte.ca/?page_id=10489


Cheers,
Pat

Saturday, November 11, 2017

WWI Database - FREE

"What’s Included in the Database
This database combines references to various First World War personnel records. Over the next few years, digitized versions of all of the files will be added to the database references. At present, the database includes digitized files for many individuals of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and Newfoundland Forestry Corps (courtesy of the Rooms Provincial Archives). Newly digitized CEF files are added to the references every two weeks."

I encourage you to read through the introduction before you begin your search. BUT I know you won't do that. So I encourage you to read through the introduction after you've not been successful in your searches. haha It's what beginners do - so excited to jump right in and search, but without understanding how the database works you will never be totally successful.

Complete personnel files have been digitized and linked, alphabetically, and will be completed sometime in 2018.

It seemed fitting to post this today. Thanks for your service, past and present. https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/personnel-records/Pages/personnel-records.aspx




Cheers,
Pat

Ancestry 1/2 price - today only

Don't delay if you've been interested as this offer is today only, Nov. 11th. https://www.genealogybargains.com/ancestry-veterans-day-flash-sale-save-50-on-subscriptions/


Cheers,
Pat

Saturday, November 4, 2017

Where Have You Been Pat?

Thanks so much to those of you who inquired where I've been, or if I'm OK. Nice to be missed. haha

Actually I had quite a bad flu that kept me in bed for two solid weeks. Then three days ago I had cataract surgery on one eye. All went well ... until I had a clear lens put in my glasses to accomodate the 'new' eye. Shoot! The two eyes do NOT get along, so now I'm seeing double and it's damned frustrating, debilitating, and scary. BUT this Sunday morning I've been forcing myself to keep the glasses on for most of the past 3 days (almost sick to my stomach for the first whole day cause it makes you dizzy and dissoriented), and I think it's getting a tiny bit better so I'm hopeful. 'They' say it just takes time for the eyes to learn to focus together so I just have to persist. Sigh. So, that's my story.

And I send my since THANKS to my friend and 'old' student, Bonnie A., whom has also had this surgery and has given me email support so I don't feel like I'm the ONLY person in the world to be going through this and that my challenges are, and have been, her challenges too. Thanks so much my friend. Life is always challenging. AND this, for sure, is a first world challenge so I guess I am thankful.


Cheers,
Pat

Thursday, October 19, 2017

FREE Webinar - Directories

Today & archived - so FREE for when you have time, but you must register. City & Rural Directories: more than just names. https://www.americanancestors.org/education/online-classes


Cheers,
Pat

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Happy Bday 174 Years Ago

Just filling in some forms and discovered that my Dad's maternal grandfather, William MUIR was born on this day, 15 Oct 1843 ... 174 years ago. My Dad's maternal family all lived in Ayrshire Scotland, mostly in Kilwinning for at least four hundred years. I was lucky enough to visit there in 2007 - ten years ago. Hmmmmm always interesting to take note of dates, and how often specific dates repeat throughout family members.

Now I just noticed that the grandmother [WYLIE, marion] of my paternal grandnother [MUIR, margaret] was born 10 Oct. 1818 in Dalry Ayrshire Scotland. 199 years and 5 days ago. Oh no!! Help!!! Toooo many shiny things are dragging me down the rabbit hole!!! hahaha THIS is how easily I can get distracted. sigh Still, I'm glad I noticed. haha

Now back to work Patricia.


Cheers,
Pat

Ireland - night of the Big Wind 1839

With Ireland in the direct path of hurricane Ophelia, it seemed a good time to have a good look at what happened during the Big Wind of 1839 - January 6th to be exact. It was NOT good! Let's hope they fare better in 2017. https://irishweatheronline.wordpress.com/climate-of-ireland/historic-weather-events/night-of-the-big-wind/

It so happens that my grandfather's grandparents got married 01 Sept. 1838, so they would have just had their four month anniversary when this storm hit. Being able to put our ancestors into historical events make them so much more real.




Cheers,
Pat

For KIDS!!!

Finally a good program to get kids interested in their own genealogy ... through science!! And their own DNA. https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/19309f17-3d3f-4e9f-bd9a-f59b062131d4/finding-your-roots-the-seedlings-episode-1/#.WeOSWltSx0w


Cheers,
Pat

Ordering BMDs For England & Wales

Source: Source:http://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/news/gro-launches-new-pilot-pdf-birth-and-death-records

Researchers can order birth and death for £6 each for the next three months

Ordering digital copies of certificates is cheaper than ordering print ones

The General Register Office (GRO) is again piloting a scheme where researchers can order birth and death records as a PDF.

From today (12 October), the digital records will be available to order via the GRO website for £6 each for a period of three months.

The PDF scheme provides a cheaper alternative to ordering print certificates, which cost £9.25 each or £23.40 for priority certificates.

Sarah Williams, editor of Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine said, "This new pilot will be welcomed by family historians who will now be able to find out crucial details about births and deaths at a much more affordable price".

GRO, which has run three previous pilot PDF schemes, said the scheme would run for a minimum of three months to allow it to “assess the demand for this service over a prolonged period”.

The scheme applies to birth certificates from 1837 to 1916 and death certificates from 1837 to 1957.


GRO [General Register Office] https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/default.asp?utm_content=buffer33170&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer


GRO Official Information on BMDs https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/PDF_most_customers_want_to_know.asp#PDF17
So to understand how exactly to use this pilot program and order digitized copies, read through this section.

Also, be an informed consumer/reseacher https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/most_customers_want_to_know.asp#OrderingCertificates


Cheers,
Pat

Saturday, October 14, 2017

History Ireland Magazine

This looks like a really interesting magazine. Periodically I get articles from them, but I don't know why, as I have a membership, and I am unable to share the articles here. Hmmmmm Can you tell I'm about to begin immersing myself BACK deeply into Irish research? haha I just joined the Irish Genealogical Research Society yesterday so am quite excited. Anyone else have a membership, or experience, with this group? Reply below or shoot me an email please pryan@sasktel.net

Or if anyone subcribes to this magazine I'd also be interested in hearing your thoughts please. http://www.historyireland.com/



Cheers,
Pat

Tips for Using GEDmatch

This is for those who have already had their DNA tested, or are thinking about it. I haven't had the opportunity to delve in deeply to her tips, but will certainly do so asap. http://www.genie1.com.au/blog/78-tips-for-using-gedmatch


Remember there is a 'search box' on my blog page that you are welcome to use. You just need to match some 'word' or term that I used and the search will locate anything I've blogged about. It's how I find things 'cause Lord knows I don't remember what month, or year, I may have talked about any particular subject.


Cheers,
Pat

Irish Genealogy Toolkit

Claire Santry is one of my most respected Irish researchers, and Claire runs the Irish Genealogy Toolkit website at http://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/

She also has a new book out, really reasonably priced, and her website is just chock-a-block full of wonderful FREE advice! I've never met this lady. Maybe one day. But I certainly appreciate all the hard work she does for Irish researchers. Thank you Claire.


Cheers,
Pat

11 Ordinary ThingsWomen Weren't Allowed To Do

Ohhhhh myyyyy ... I sadly remember every one of these things women weren't allowed to do! We all work from our own perspectives, so it's pretty amazing how much the World has changed in just this short time - within our lifetimes AND we're all still young. Right? LOL I believe this list in from the USA, but not a lot different in Canada I suspect, although I know I had a bank account in the 60s. No memory of anyone having to sign for me ... although that might have happened. Anyway, enjoy this little stroll down the 'good ole days'? https://www.littlethings.com/things-women-couldnt-do-50s/

I LOVE adding things like this to my family history stories. Something everyone can relate to.


Cheers,
Pat

Monday, October 9, 2017

Scottish Paternity Cases and a Lesson

There is a larger site here, so be sure to look around. What I mainly wanted to share today is the Index created for Scottish Paternity cases. Usually I just point you in the right direction, share a web link, and send you on your way as I save my real 'teaching' for my classroom students and my conference attendees. Today I wanted to share a very large hint that soooo many are missing. I have no idea HOW it's being missed, but I kow it is so ....

When you are about to begin searching within a database, start thinking of all the ways you can force that database to give you answers. One example is to stop thinking of only entering names. For instance, in searhing the Paternity Cases in Sheriff Court Records officially entitled 'Actions of Affilitation and Aliment' ... try inputting just one detail. One. Only one. So for my example I did NOT enter any names. No ocupation. No birth year info. No birth location info [no parish, co county, no country]. No event year info. No address info. No father. No mother. No husband. No wife.

All I entered was the name of the town I knew my ancestors lived in. That's it! One word.

Results? I found the birth to my great grandmother of her first child. An illigitimate child. The year of that childs birth. AND ... the name of the father, his occupation, and his address! WOW!! I also discovered one of my grandfather's brothers who (ashamedly) manged to impregnate two women within the same year - I know it's him because his name, occupation, and address were all listed. This is the only record I have ever come across for this man - and I had played with the idea that he maybe went to Australia. He may very well have, and these records could be the reason why! Who knows, but it's a clue.

So my friends. READ, READ, READ so you understand what this website is all about. And then THINK - how you can YOU force that database to give you answers. There are always LOTS of ways. That's my present. haha

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Searching. http://www.scottishindexes.co.uk/default.aspx


Cheers,
Pat

Polish Research

UPDATE: The link below does not seem to be working as of today 05 Nov. 2011. Google has saved a screen shot from yesterday which is http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://www.kartenmeister.com/&gws_rd=cr&dcr=0&ei=CoX_WanSEoKSjwOVrYy4CQ

Thanks to Susan K. for altering me of the broken link. If anyone can help in sorting this out, please contact me and I'll fix it.


Thanks so much to Hans-Henning MUENDEL for pointing me to this amazing website developed by Uwe KRICKHAHN of Medicine Hat Alberta. I first met Mr. Muendel at Lethbridge Alberta where I was speaking over two days in June, and then he appeared again [yahoo] in Kelowna BC where I spoke in Sept. I always appreciate when folks share with me, and I in turn can share with my readers so thanks to you all. Here is the website http://www.kartenmeister.com/preview/databaseuwe.asp Happy Searching!


Cheers,
Pat

Colonial Approaches to Land Ownership

A very interesting look at how land became a comodity in North America AND how differntly Britain, France, and Spain colonized the New World. Thanks to Dave Obee for pointing me to this article http://www.canadashistory.ca/Explore/Settlement-Immigration/Colonial-Approaches-to-Land-Ownership

I'll be starting a new course beginning 17th October that will deal with land records created in Canada and the USA. Full details below:

FREE LAND
Western Canada was primarily settled by homesteaders. Most were recent immigrants, and few had any farming experience. Many 'town' folks also homesteaded, to make ends meet. It is therefore, very normal to find homesteaders also included teachers, doctors, lawyers, ministers, and business owners/shop keepers within the term 'homesteaders'.

A file was created about each piece of land - not organized by personal names - so you need to learn how to locate and read legal land descriptions, using a special map that you'll each get to keep. There is a wealth of information within each file regarding the person(s) who farmed that piece of land. We have found details such as former residences, important dates, the size and cost of buildings, livestock, family details, signatures, personal correspondence, and even birth/marriage/death and divorce papers.

The fortunate students enrolled in this course will learn how to use the Internet to locate land details across Canada, and will also spend the last two classes doing hands-on research AT the Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan in Regina ... with your instructor there to assist you every step of the way!

These students will also be treated to a private tour of the Archives 'hidden' records - those precious records that are only accessed through normally locked doors/drawers/cabinets!! An archive is very different from a library. In a library we browse the shelves looking at the books. A library is meant to disseminate information. An archive holds original materials - often one of a kind, available only in that one archive. An archives records are mostly held in the stacks, behind closed and locked doors. You need to fill out their forms properly, and then an archivist will go through those locked doors to retrieve what you have asked for. BUT how do you know what to ask for if you can't just browse the shelves? THAT is part of what this course will teach you.

What kinds of records might you find there? Things like local histories, Canadian censuses, biographies, provincial newspapers, fur trade, Metis, immigration, ships passenger lists, provincial settlement, rural life, urban life, economics, government, politics, court records, maps, architectural drawings, private records, border crossing, fire insurance, police, certain indexes to births, marriages, deaths etc. etc as well as audio/video and a huge collection of historical photographs. This is an opportunity not to be missed. Extensive computer use. Class size is limited to ensure I have the time to work with each person. Prior completion of Unpuzzling Your Past is strongly recommended as you will need all the skills learned in that course. Email pryan@sasktel.net if you have additional questions or to register if you miss Registration night. Pat Ryan

BTW, this course always fills very fast!

REGINA Classes
Tue, Oct. 17 7 - 9pm Arcola East Community Centre classroom session
Tue, Oct. 18 receive your emailed lessons (no classroom session)
Tue, Oct. 24 Sask. Archives, 3303 Hillsdale St, Regina 9:00am - noonish
Tue, Oct. 31 Sask. Archives, 3303 Hillsdale St, Regina 9:00am - noonish
COST: $200.00


Cheers,
Pat

Poverty in Austrian Galicia

Anyone researching the Austro Hungarian Empire, and Poland should read this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty_in_Austrian_Galicia


Cheers,
Pat

When Your Original Record Isn't an Original Record

This is a good article from our friends over at Legacy http://news.legacyfamilytree.com/


Cheers,
Pat

Friday, October 6, 2017

Ukraine

This is an interesting site http://euromaidanpress.com/?s=ukrainian+mosaic , although I've just found it courtesy of the East European Genealogicafl Society. We have two photos - copies appear in many of my husbands family members photobooks - so the people are probably family, but no one knows who they are, or where they were taken. I'm always looking for pictures of historical Ukrainian clothing, hoping for clues. This is why I am looking at this site. If you scroll down their page a bit to Ukrainian Mosaic: fice unique ethnic groups you will see what caught my interest. Hope this helps some of my Ukrainian researchers. OH, and if anyone has any hints to share regarding the two photos I've included, I would be so very grateful.




Cheers,
Pat

England Research

Any interested in researching in England's records needs to have a look around this site http://parishregister.net/history.htm

Anyone just beginning - may I remind you to always poke around inside any website of interest. For instance, look the left on the above site, click away, read, learn.


Cheers,
Pat

Genealogy Bargains & Free Stuff

Thanks to Thomas MacEntee for gathering together the many genealogy bargains offered on his site. Have a look for yourself http://www.genealogybargains.com/

If you scroll down a bit you'll find another FREE ebook offer - 52 weeks of genealogy - projects for every week of the year.


Cheers,
Pat

Thursday, October 5, 2017

FREE Webinars Friday 06 Oct.

I know I told you guys about the FREE webinars before, BUT this is a reminder - there are 6 offered FREE & LIVE tomorrow, Friday Oct. 6th. Read. Register. Learn. https://familytreewebinars.com/


Cheers,
Pat

The Dead No Longer Entitled to Secrets.

As always, our Irish friend John Grenham, has a unique way to look at genealogy! haha He is Irish, but this article could apply to all nationalities. https://www.johngrenham.com/blog/2017/10/03/the-dead-are-no-longer-entitled-to-secrets/


Cheers,
Pat

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Finding Your Roots TV

Apparently the following link does not work for those of us for sure in Regina area - don't know where else. One of the 'joys' of living here, BUT just do a search on your TV as I've found it rebroadcast several times. No point in me telling you where though as I've got Bell Satellite so you'll just need to search. Come on! You're genealogy researchers, aren't you????? Lol

I watched this first episode last night on my PVR after my class. I thought it was one of the best I've seen, but then who doesn't love Larry David? haha Anyway if you missed it, and can't find it as a repeat on your TV, you can watch and listen, online, FREE here http://www.pbs.org/show/finding-your-roots/


Cheers,
Pat

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

How Fixed was That Last Name?

Thanks to Michael John NEILL for this - raesons a surname may have changed http://genealogytipoftheday.com/index.php/2017/10/02/how-fixed-was-that-last-name/


Cheers,
Pat

Poland, Radom RC Church Books, 1587 - 1966

https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1407440?collectionNameFilter=false

Thanks as always to the LDS Church and familysearch.org


Cheers,
Pat

British Home Children

It's like they never existed!!!! If you know nothing about this, read here http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/british-home-children-farms-abuse-1.4314384

If you want to research them https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/immigration/immigration-records/home-children-1869-1930/Pages/home-children.aspx

If you are a serious researcher, read it all, and learn.


Cheers,
Pat

Brits Horrified by the Great Hunger

So many people talk about the Irish Famine of the mid 1800s. That would indicate the lack of food in Ireland. That was NOT the case!! Read about what really happened!! https://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/british-horrified-by-brutal-irish-famine-episode-of-victoria-drama


Cheers,
Pat

FamilySearch New Web Tool

Read all about it and how YOU can help http://media.familysearch.org/familysearchs-new-web-tool-makes-ancestry-records-easier-to-find/


Cheers,
Pat

Saturday, September 30, 2017

FREE LAC Podcasts

"Podcasts are sometimes described as internet radio that you can listen to on demand. They are series of episodes released online in the form of individual digital media files. Once downloaded, podcast episodes can be listened to anytime, anywhere. One of the reasons that podcasts are so popular is the variety in style, form and content that they offer listeners. They can act as informal think tanks, offer a space for storytelling, keep us informed about current events, delve into niche topics, and expose us to a myriad of new ideas."

https://thediscoverblog.com/2017/09/30/are-you-missing-out-on-the-joy-of-podcasts/


Cheers,
Pat

Friday, September 29, 2017

Sad Life in Irish Workhouses

Really the title says it all. What really bothered me is the governments thoughts and rationale. I realize it's a tough challenge - then and now - but they are/were just people needing a helping hand. Heartbreaking.

http://ireland-calling.com/lifestyle/child-skeletons-offer-unique-insight-of-life-in-famine-workhouses/


Cheers,
Pat

GenealogyBargains - FREE is Good, Right?

So this is from Thomas MacEntee - there are lots of bargains on his site - including a free download of his E-book "Family History Trippin - a Guide to Planning a Genealogy Research Trip" https://www.genealogybargains.com/


Cheers,
Pat

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Old Fulton Postcards - a MUST See

So I've been lucky enough to have learned of this website a loooong time ago. The official website talks about what it contains. BUT I am not going to include that here because ... I have found newspaper articles included about soooo much more than New York!! Like Ontario Canada; Manitoba Canada; Saskatchewan Canada; and many people within those locations, etc etc etc.

The site is totally FREE, but read through and discover the entire site has been built, maintained, and preserved by one person working within his own budget. AND he's been hacked!! HELP if you can.

Thank you so much. http://fultonhistory.com/my%20photo%20albums/All%20Newspapers/index.html

PLEASE search around Fulton Postcards. There is just soooo much within!



Cheers,
Pat Ryan

PBS Finding Your Roots Oct. 3

Always interesting to watch. I really appreciate Dr. Gates and his questions and comments. And, of course, I'm always looking for any errors they made. hahaha Just check your TV guide, set your PVR, and enjoy!


Cheers,
Pat

FREE FHL Genealogy Classes & Webinars

These are always worth a look. Sponsored by our favourite website, familysearch.org, here ya go https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Family_History_Library_Classes_and_Webinars

You can see what's upcoming for October, and also past webinars and hand-outs. And all for FREE!!


Cheers,
Pat

The Internet Archive - FREE

For anyone not already using the Internet Archive, Thomas MacEntee has written a very useful guide ofr what it is and how to use it. The Archive and the guide are both FREE!! http://www.geneabloggers.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/SYLLABUS-Internet-Archive-Gold-Mine.pdf


Cheers,
Pat

Black Loyalists to Get Land Title After 200 years

Wow, Nova Scotia - "Black Loyalists, Black Refugees were given land, but no title, in 1775 and 1812." What a story and it's not over even though it's been 200 years! http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/legal-title-black-loyalists-north-preston-1.4309505

This article caught my eye as I am just now preparing to teach a course on finding, interpreting, and using Saskatchewan land records. 200 years is shocking! Anyone interested in my course can read about it here - just scroll down to "FREE LAND" http://patryangenealogy.blogspot.ca/2017/08/


Cheers,
Pat

Monday, September 25, 2017

Friday, September 22, 2017

Contest: Is History Important to You?

There is not a lot of time so don't delay.

"Tell us in 500 words or in a short video, about why history matters to you, to your community, or to the nation’s future. We’ll share our favourite responses both online, but one participant will be invited to present their response live at the 10th Canada’s History Forum in Ottawa this November." http://mailchi.mp/canadashistory/why-is-history-relevant?e=c9a614e582

Good Luck!!


Cheers,
Pat

FREE DNA Webinar

So the girls had all kinds of technical glitches that took them off air, but here is the link to the entire webinar after they remastered the entire thing. Still FREEEEEEE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iXqxWAnHRQ



My friend Lisa Louise Cooke is presenting a FREE 90 minute webinar dealing with various topics, but specifically DNA tomorrow, Saturday Sept. 23rd. Register here (and I can vouch for her, she's safe) https://lisalouisecooke.com/2017/09/webinar/

I will be unable to 'attend' as I'll be watching my granddaughter bowl [some things you just gotta do haha], but there is a provision built-in, for those of us who can't be there live. I'll be looking forward to seeing the presentation later.


Cheers,
Pat

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Why is Octoberfest Celebrated in September?

It's a good question!! And here's the answer https://www.joe.ie/life-style/heres-why-oktoberfest-is-celebrated-in-september-560282


Cheers!
Pat

FREE:David Rumsey MAP Collection

This is one of the largest, best & FREE collections online, but it's not the easiest to use. I suggest you 'read the instructions' once all else fails {'cause I know you're going to try on your own right [hahaha], and that's fine}. Just don't think this site does not have the maps you need without clicking on the "HELP" icon found on the top of the screen. Happy Searching! https://www.davidrumsey.com/



Cheers,
Pat

Best 101 Genealogy Websites by FamilyTree

Every year Family Tree Magazine publishes this list so here it is for 2017 https://www.familytreemagazine.com/best-genealogy-websites/

Ummmm, there's a LOT to scroll through, which is what winter is for? haha

If you want a FREE podcast about 34 minutes long, by Lisa Louise Cooke & guests, talking about some of the above best free websites, click here https://www.familytreemagazine.com/?powerpress_pinw=26714-podcast
Be Aware: the podcast is free, but there is some advertising to sell memberships to Family Tree Magazine. Still, it's free and some of the guests were quite informative.


Cheers,
Pat

The Irish in Jamaica

you may, or may not, be aware of this. Have a read https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/welcome-to-sligoville-the-story-of-the-irish-in-jamaica-1.3225038


Cheers,
Pat

Scottish House Older Than Stonehenge

So I just read about this "House older that Stonehenge" found in Kilmarnock Ayrshire Scotland. I've been there! And it's about 10 kms. as the crow flies from where my Dad was born, and where his Mothers family lived from at least the 1600s. "This site is 6,000 years old and was settled as man moved away from nomadic existence towards farming the land". Very cool!! There is a nice little video here http://www.scotsman.com/news/house-older-than-stonehenge-found-in-east-ayrshire-field-1-4566488


Cheers,
Pat

Monday, September 18, 2017

FamilySearch Apps

For those of you who are 'techies', familysearch [the free LDS web site] has over 200 apps available. Broken into groups, have a look here https://www.familysearch.org/apps/


Cheers,
Pat

Miscellaneous British Links

A short list of databases, guides, and other can be found here http://www.histpop.org/ohpr/servlet/Category?page=Project&path=Project/Links/Genealogical%20Links&active=yes


Cheers,
Pat

FREE Irish Genealogy Pages

I'm not normally just about Irish research, but staying with the Irish theme here for another post is this great site that offers BUCKETS of FREE genealogy web links. http://www.ulsterancestry.com/ua-free-pages.php


Cheers,
Pat

No Irish Need Apply

I mentioned this during one of my presentations at Kelowna this past weekend, and just came across this article and video supporting how wide spread this was - "No Irish Need Apply" - and possibly supplys one of the reasons our Irish ancestors may have decided to claim themselves to be 'other than Irish' in this new country of North America. See for yourselves https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/no-irish-need-apply-the-signs-and-ads-that-vilified-our-irish-ancestors


Cheers,
Pat

Thank YOU Kelowna British Columbia!!

I just want to send a Thank You to everyone who organized, and participated this past weekend in the Kelowna & District Genealogical Society [KDGS http://www.kdgs.ca/] workshops! I have to send a huge shout-out to Claire Smith-Burns as she was my go-to person for everything KDGS for several months, right up to collecting me from the airport, sharing her lovely home with me for a couple nights, getting me back to the plane on time, and also managing to show me around her beautiful city. She did this as she also manged to oversee the entire event and she always praised the many qualitified volunteers it takes to put on such an event. Everything went off without a hitch so Congratulations to you all!

It was a pleasure to be there as one of the speakers. I met so many wonderful people who took the time to share their stories with me, or to ask their questions of me. You are all a very smart group of genealogists!! And I was very honoured to have been invited. It was also fun to learn how many people with Saskatchewan ties were there! Go Riders? hahaha

Thanks also for the lovely comments you made directly to me, and shared in your questionnaire responses. Being a spearker is perhaps not the easiest job in the World, and even after 19 years of putting myself 'out there' I remain very nervous for the first few minutes! Shhh don't tell anybody!! The nerves just mean I'm totally dedicated to giving my best and it can take a couple minutes to settle down. If you don't think it's stressful, try it!! HaHaHa

Speakers know as they research, write, prepare, and practise their 'content' that they will be delivering that content to an audience with a wide variety of skill sets, and one size will never fit all or make everyone happy. I suppose speakers are no different than anyone in the audience - we too have various skill sets, various personalities, and various abilities and comfort levels.

I want to Thank all of you for making me feel so welcome, and comfortable. It's so much easier to work together towards a common goal - that of learning more ways to advance our family history. Sometimes you may hear something that you already 'know', but if you take it as a gentle reminder who knows what it might do for your research? And when I said that I truly believe each speaker can [and in my opion *should*] be just as willing to learn from their audience of fellow genealogists, I was totally serious! So Thank you also for teaching me!!

I would also encourage those of you who have certain skills to share those skills by doing some presenting. You may turn out to be one of the BEST!! I guarantee that, if nothing else, you will become a total expert on whatever your topic is as it takes a ton of work to be relatively confident you can handle all questions, convey that information in a suitable manner, and deal with all the challenges speakers encounter. Think about it. Maybe we'll share presenting duties at some conference in the future? That would be totally awesome!!

I would love to hear any success stories you might like to share - especially if I had anything to do with helping you. LOL And remember to keep re-examining those old documents, searching for new clues. Happy Searching Everyone.


Cheers,
Pat

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Getting Dressed in the 18th Century

Anyone interested in my upcoming genealogy courses, check here, but let me know asap pleae as I'm almost full. http://patryangenealogy.blogspot.ca/search?updated-max=2017-09-08T15:03:00-07:00&max-results=1




This is just crazy, but here is a video explaining how women got dressed in the 18th Century. Sheesh!! https://www.facebook.com/viralizedofficial/videos/1480878368687931/?hc_ref=ARRWmle_Y3o-roIgJaaL_K0UjNLPwEEySEYI78x3EkHKfaDbAPyEUM9-f6Txo_g1meQ


Cheers,
Pat

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

FREE Internet DNA & Genealogy Session

For my genealogy classes that begin Sept. 19th, 2017 please click here http://patryangenealogy.blogspot.ca/search?updated-max=2017-09-08T15:03:00-07:00&max-results=1



My friend Lisa Louise Cooke is at it again. This time she is offering a 90 minute FREE session, online, that you can watch live, or delayed. Read all about it here https://lisalouisecooke.com/2017/09/webinar/


Cheers,
Pat

Monday, September 11, 2017

I am Speaking WITH Dave Obee

Anyone looking for information on my upcoming genealogy courses in Fall 2017, need to click here for full details. I am close to being full, so please contact me asap if interested http://patryangenealogy.blogspot.ca/search?updated-max=2017-09-08T15:03:00-07:00&max-results=1


So, back to Kelowna BC - Dave and I, as speakers, have appeared at numerous genealogy conferences over the past 'few' decades. It is ALWAYS a pleasure, and I always look forward to working with, AND learning from my friend Dave.

And this weekend, 16th Sept, 2017, Dave and I will be the two chosen speakers presenting at the Kelowna British Columbia conference. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-y11N671NC2aVhfd0MtUnZuNEk/view

We will be presenting sessions of how to use 'old school' and 'new school' complimentary [and necessary] skills to find those elusive ancestors. It's going to be sooo much fun!!! Hope you can join us!


Cheers,
Pat

Friday, September 8, 2017

FREE Session RPL Sept 10, 2017

Anyone looking for information on my classes http://patryangenealogy.blogspot.ca/search?updated-max=2017-09-08T15:03:00-07:00&max-results=1


So Sunday, Sept 10th @ 2pm I'm speaking at the Regina Public Library. Details here https://www.reginalibrary.ca/services/prairie-history/prairie-history-blog Give them a call to register as there are still some seats available. Details also below:


Finding New Friends & Old Relations

Pat says "This is a genealogy tour of Germany & Austria I took in May & June 2006. It shows the countryside, towns, villages, cities and has given many people an idea of what it is like to travel to one of their own ancestral lands, as well as the preparations that should be undertaken before leaving home. I have been told this ‘tour’ is interesting to every nationality. It also demonstrates how we can safely meet people online, then in person, and make lasting friendships in Canada and overseas. It explores the differences between here and ‘there’ and includes exploring European kirches [churches], cemeteries, records kept there, delving into ‘locals’ memories [even with the language barrier], and of course the benefits and downfalls of travel. This session will open people’s minds to how our European ancestors lived, and in many case, little has changed."

Sunday, September 10th

2:00-3:00 pm

Public meeting room #1, Central Library. For more information or to register, please call Warren at 306.777.6039 or email: phr@reginalibrary.ca. If no reply, call 306-777-6003.


Cheers,
Pat

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Fall Courses 2017

WHERE did August go to??? LOL Time to gear up for classes again which I ALWAYS look forward to. So here we go


Genealogy is the #1 hobby in the world! Whether that's 100% accurate or not, it certainly is for many millions of us.

Unpuzzling Your Past ... Using the Internet


Celebrate and preserve your own history by building your family tree. At some point in life, people feel compelled to learn more about the individuals in their family who came before them. What makes genealogical research even more interesting is seeing the impact that your ancestors had on history, and on your own life. And just what did you inherit from your ancestors? Your physical appearance, likes or dislikes, health, even your occupation may be traced back to your ancestors. Every person is a part of history. Just by living their lives, they created history. What about you? You, too, are creating history, even as you live it. While you are a descendant of the past, you are a parent of the future.

Records are history's best storytellers. It is therefore necessary to develop research skills and become a good 'detective'. It is also a great deal of fun! These classes are designed to develop your research skills & teach you to think like a professional researcher. The classes enable you to decide what records to search for, why you need each of these records, how to find them, and then how to use them.

Unpuzzling Your Past is the course you SHOULD start with - whether a beginner or a seasoned researcher! You won't believe what you've been missing! You will NEVER regret building a strong foundation!! What if you had to prove a major event in *your* life? How would you do it? With records. Your ancestors also created records. They did many of the same things you do. Later in their lives they may have married and had children. Some of them hunted for gold, others worked in mills or farmed, still others left their homeland to make a new life in North America. If you had to prove your ancestors had these experiences, that they actually lived, how would you do it? Well, you would become a family history detective.

This class is suitable for beginners and the advanced who’ve hit that ‘brick wall’. This is a good 'starter' class, and the one you should start with, but it is also designed to assist more experienced researchers who are at a stand-still with their current 'brick wall'. I will say again - You will NEVER regret building a strong foundation!!

For most of us the great fun of genealogy & family history research is in the thrill of the chase - the search for new details. We gather reams of photocopies. We have copious numbers of binders full of hard copy. We have too many notes scribbled on too many scraps of paper, and we carry impossible numbers of facts/dates/locations in our heads. Sometimes we are overwhelmed by the amount of information we have collected or inherited. Sometimes we have nothing. Obviously the more we know, the more we have to work with. BUT, Pat started with her parents and grandparents names, two locations (on two different continents), a couple unconfirmed dates, and that was it!! It *is* possible.

This course has been thoughtfully developed to help those with too much or too little information. If your research has progressed over a long period of time, do you still have some spaces you've had to leave blank or are uncertain about? Learn how to start, organize, document and cite your source(s) properly. Discover those missed clues or miscellaneous errors, and learn about new sources recently made available to the public (including many on the Internet - some that are available only on the Internet). Learn how to do all this in the most cost effective manner possible! There are times when you must pay for an official search. There are many *more* times when you can perform that search yourself, if you just knew how. This course will teach you those 'how's'.

Experienced genealogists
Take a look at all the work you've done or inherited and think of what you might yet accomplish! Is part of the reason you do family history research so it will be preserved, passed on and added to? Is your work clear, concise and presented in an organized, understandable format? Will the next person who looks at, or inherits it, be able to understand exactly what you found, and exactly where you found it? Will they be able to, and want to, continue your work? Do you have any recorded information, but are unable to remember where you found it or who told it to you? Have you been given any names, dates, locations but you have no idea where that information was found? If you knew, you could go back to those records, double check for accuracy and perhaps add some new details the original researcher, or story-teller, missed, misread or misinterpreted!

Only you know how much time, expertise, money, frustration, and intense happiness you will or have invested in researching and preserving your family history. Wouldn't it be terrible if it was all disposed of because it's value was not readily apparent? It happens every day. How many precious old photos, books or other memorabilia have you seen in second hand shops or garage sales? Your talents and your hard work need to be preserved and your descendants will thank you - after all, how much would you appreciate even one piece of well documented research?

If you are just getting started, congratulations, as you have no bad habits to break and this class will teach you all the good habits. For those of you who have spent decades doing research, isn't that research worth the investment of a little more time in order to preserve it for future generations? Do not despair if you're body of work needs attention - you are certainly not alone - but Do Not Delay any longer. Get into this class - quick! Student enrollment is kept low to accommodate student/instructor interaction. Students work on their own family research.

These courses are not designed to be the cheapest in the world - we all know that you usually get what you pay for. They *are* designed to be the BEST. Pat is most concerned with giving you the best and most recent tools available [including those on the Internet], and equipping you with the knowledge you need to take your research as far as you'd like. She also believes in having fun, and there is always much laughter shared by all. Additionally, following each one of the four class sessions, you will receive a set of complete and comprehensive notes covering the details taught and discussed in that class. This means you will not have to attempt to take notes during the class. Instead, you can devote your full time and attention to listening, learning, participating, and sharing in your own successes. Students continually express their gratitude and appreciation to Pat. They realize her knowledge is vast, and that she goes 'above and beyond' for her students. They also realize that her notes alone are worth hundreds of dollars - and appreciate that they can continue to refer to those notes, forever! Pat clearly loves what she does ... and it shows. Instructor Pat Ryan.


To pre-register send Pat an email now at pryan@sasktel.net or call her at her office 306-695-2241 or cell 306-533-3941.

Classes will all be held at Arcola East Community Centre which is located at 3860 Buckingham Drive within Jack MacKenzie School in Regina Sask.

Classes will run from 7 - 9pm on 19th & 26th of Sept, + 3rd & 10th of Oct.
[4 weeks] $200.00.00/4 sessions
PLEASE NOTE: this course ends on 10 October. The classroom session for 17 October, as shown in the AECA Newsletter, is the first class of the second course titled FREE LAND. Sorry for the confusion.

[Each year I update this course to include the most recent sites, but this year is phenomenal. There have been so many advances made, and new opportunities offered it's like a brand new course. I often have students take this course more than once. For anyone considering, THIS would be the year to do it.]




Second Course
FREE LAND
Western Canada was primarily settled by homesteaders. Most were recent immigrants, and few had any farming experience. Many 'town' folks also homesteaded, to make ends meet. It is therefore, very normal to find homesteaders also included teachers, doctors, lawyers, ministers, and business owners/shop keepers within the term 'homesteaders'.

A file was created about each piece of land - not organized by personal names - so you need to learn how to locate and read legal land descriptions, using a special map that you'll each get to keep. There is a wealth of information within each file regarding the person(s) who farmed that piece of land. We have found details such as former residences, important dates, the size and cost of buildings, livestock, family details, signatures, personal correspondence, and even birth/marriage/death and divorce papers.

The fortunate students enrolled in this course will learn how to use the Internet to locate land details across Canada, and will also spend the last two classes doing hands-on research AT the Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan in Regina ... with your instructor there to assist you every step of the way!

These students will also be treated to a private tour of the Archives 'hidden' records - those precious records that are only accessed through normally locked doors/drawers/cabinets!! An archive is very different from a library. In a library we browse the shelves looking at the books. A library is meant to disseminate information. An archive holds original materials - often one of a kind, available only in that one archive. An archives records are mostly held in the stacks, behind closed and locked doors. You need to fill out their forms properly, and then an archivist will go through those locked doors to retrieve what you have asked for. BUT how do you know what to ask for if you can't just browse the shelves? THAT is part of what this course will teach you.

What kinds of records might you find there? Things like local histories, Canadian censuses, biographies, provincial newspapers, fur trade, Metis, immigration, ships passenger lists, provincial settlement, rural life, urban life, economics, government, politics, court records, maps, architectural drawings, private records, border crossing, fire insurance, police, certain indexes to births, marriages, deaths etc. etc as well as audio/video and a huge collection of historical photographs. This is an opportunity not to be missed. Extensive computer use. Class size is limited to ensure I have the time to work with each person. Prior completion of Unpuzzling Your Past is strongly recommended as you will need all the skills learned in that course. Email pryan@sasktel.net if you have additional questions or to register if you miss Registration night. Pat Ryan

BTW, this course always fills very fast!

REGINA Classes
Tue, Oct. 17 7 - 9pm Arcola East Community Centre classroom session
Tue, Oct. 18 receive your emailed lessons (no classroom session)
Tue, Oct. 24 Sask. Archives, 3303 Hillsdale St, Regina 9:00am - noonish
Tue, Oct. 31 Sask. Archives, 3303 Hillsdale St, Regina 9:00am - noonish
COST: $200.00

Sunday, August 13, 2017

Update - Legacy Genealogy Software & Webinars

So, for whatever reason, Legacy has extended their offers by one week so ENDS AUGUST 20th, 2017.

Which means that you can still purchase their newest software, Legacy 9, for $17.48 instead of $34.95. Also a webinar membership at 50% off so one full year of unlimited membership (or extension if you purchased before this offer) will be $24.98 rather than $49.95. That's a pretty good deal even though this is still in US dollars. http://legacy.familytreewebinars.com/index.php



BUT WAIT .... LOL (can you hear the informercial coming up? hahaha)

NOW, IF you rush and purchase before the end of today, August 13 2017, and use the promo codes offered by Thomas MacEntee, you'll save the 50% PLUS plus an additional 15%. Purchase them seperately and use his promo codes.

For Legacy 9 software, with the additional discount, by end of today, use promo code "thomas15leg" https://legacy.familytreewebinars.com/legacy-products-c1.php

For one year of the webinars, with the addtional discount, by end of today, use promo code "thomas15" using same link as above.


I'm still on the fence, but might just pull the trigger on the webinars - it's an awfully good deal. There are sessions in their library that I missed and what's 27 bucks Canadian? Hmmmmm. Yup. Gonna do it.


Cheers,
Pat

Saturday, August 12, 2017

Save Additional 15% off Legacy Family Tree Supersale

This amazing supersale ends tonight, so get it done quick! Legacy 9 software $14.86 AND 1 year Legacy webinars, unlimited access $21.23US. https://www.genealogybargains.com/save-additional-15-off-legacy-family-trees-super-sale/ Sorry for the late notice, but grab it quick and save some bucks. Always pays to pay attention? haha


Cheers,
Pat


Monday, August 7, 2017

Family Search Research Wiki

No matter how much, or how little, you know about researching in your area of interest, the Family Search Research Wiki will be helpful. And it's FREE!! Click on your country, and away you go. For those who are truly interested and serious about learning, don't miss what's in the "Guided Help" at the top; the "SearchTips" half way down; and "New to the Wiki?" at the bottom. https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Main_Page


Now we all need a rainy day to give us time to learn this!! Lol


Cheers,
Pat

Videos of Irish Farming Life

https://www.facebook.com/Irishfarmingvideos/videos/1387738704675312/


Cheers,
Pat

Any Scutchers in Your Family?

This video explains the entire process of flax scutching in Ireland. I'm interested as one of my great greats was identified as a 'scutcher' on a marriage registration. I also have some Irish linens, and clothing. Now good luck with understanding the language hahaha but interesting all the same. https://www.facebook.com/Irishfarmingvideos/videos/1381391021976747/


Cheers,
Pat

Saturday, August 5, 2017

Fighting 'hoppers' in the 1930s

Most of us have not lived through this. Many of us have been told stories of the '30s from parents, grandparents etc. But this story written by Bill Weiser really captures the many aspects of what life was like - especially dealing with those horrid creatures named grasshoppers that Prairie people still refer to as hoppers. I have an unreasonable fear of them that has lasted to this day.

My parents used to love to get in our old car, usually on Sundays, to go for a drive and 'look at' our crops. Of course no AC in those days. I begged to be left at home, but it never happened. Me in the back seat. My parents in the front. They chatted away as I literally screamed in terror. Somehow I never had to have psychiatric help , or perhaps I should say I never received that help ... which may explain why these darned things still scare the bajeepers out of me. LOL

Anyway, here is Bill's story http://thestarphoenix.com/opinion/columnists/history-matters-criddle-mixture-used-to-fight-hoppers-in-1930s


Cheers,
Pat

Thursday, August 3, 2017

Legacy Family Tree Sold to MyHeritage

WOW!! didn't expect this. 16 minutes ago I read this http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170803006451/en/MyHeritage-Acquires-Legacy-Family-Tree-Software-Webinar

Hope it's good cause I love my Legacy genealogy software, and still watch the odd webinar.


Cheers,
Pat

US Historical Newspapers - new website

Thanks to my friend Lisa Louise Cook for sharing a new website dealing with USA newspapers. She has even made a short video to walk us through the site. http://usnewsmap.com/ Thanks Lisa from her website https://lisalouisecooke.com/


Cheers,
Pat

Friday, July 21, 2017

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

LDS Microfilm DEAL - don't delay!

So apparently now when you order microfilm from familysearch.org you pay for short term, BUT they automatically send it for long term loan. In other words you will only pay the seven bucks, or whatever the cost of shipping is, but familysearch will allow you to keep that film indefinately [usually about 18 bucks] at your local family history centre. I'd say that's a heck of a deal and they're doing everything they can to accomodate the three year wait. Just remember and get your orders completed by the end of August 2017 or you WILL be waiting until 2020.

If you need help figuring all this out, and seeing if the records you need have been digitized or at least microfilmed so you could order, here ya go http://www.thegenealogyreporter.com/tag/digitized-records/



Cheers,
Pat

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

$1.00 for 1 month FMP

There are lots of sales on right now at Find My Past, [and you'll see them on their website] but the one I chose is one dollar (actually it might be 1 British pound) for unlimited access to the World subscription to FMP (excluding the 1939 Register). It's a little tricky to get in - go ahead and create a password, then go to My Account top right corner, [or create your account there], be sure to untick the 'auto renew' box [unless you want to continue your Subscription at regular price], and ...

Shoot, I can't get back in SOOOOOOO you'll just need to look around until you find a box where you can enter your discount code of 'BIFAMILY' and you're set!!

Happy Searching Everyone - I'm off to see what's new for my GILMORE, CLYDESDALE, LITTLE families from County Down AND cannot forget those pesky Johnston MCNIECE'S from who knows where, but other McNIECEs are found in County Mayo and Sligo.


Cheers,
Pat I've been waiting for this deal to come up again! Yippee!! But there goes the house and yard work. LOL

Monday, June 26, 2017

FamilySearch Fazes Out Microfilm

So this has been all over the Internet for the past two days. And contrary to many posts the sky is not falling, but things will be different for sure.

Here is the real truth straight from the folks at familysearch.org https://www.lds.org/callings/temple-and-family-history/familysearch-microfilm-discontinuation?lang=eng


Cheers,
Pat

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Autosomal DNA - Now What?

There is only a couple more days (June 23) to watch this webinar, FREE, from Legacy https://familytreewebinars.com/download.php?webinar_id=545

You've got your autosomal DNA test back. Now what??????


Cheers,
Pat [just going to watch it now]

LAC Digitization Projects

Thanks to John Reid for posting this on his blog . I have copied and pasted it here, just in case any of us need it again. Note the last paragraph where we are being asked for our input!!! Do it folks! Tell them what's important to you.


"Librarian and Archivist of Canada Guy Berthiaume was invited to speak at the opening of the Ontario Genealogical Society Conference last Friday evening. Below is a rough transcription of his remarks.
I'd particularly highlight the invitation in the penultimate paragraph.
==============
A good part of my work is about creating connections with our clients, our stakeholders, the private sector and the general public. And I know the thrill of discovering connections is one of the reasons that genealogists and family historians are so passionate about what they do.
I recently came across an interactive website that uses digital technology to uncover fascinating networks of families in British history. Kindred Britain at Stanford provides all kinds of surprising connections. For example Winston Churchill is a direct descendant of King Henry VIII. Family ties connect Isaac Newton, Jane Austen, William Wordsworth and Florence Nightingale. The creator of the site calls it the social network of the past.

I begin with this example to illustrate that today's genealogy is not our grandfather's genealogy. The use of modern digital technology to illuminate family roots and history is producing surprising, creative and positive results.

Take our digitization work at LAC. We've worked closely with external partners to both digitize collections and to make more of them available, especially to our main client group - genealogists. As a result we've been able to digitize a lot more material than we could on our own and to make some of our biggest and most heavily used collections available to Canadians. I know that this external focus has not always been popular but in a time of limited resources I think it was the strategic choice. Mind you, working with partners is not a one size fits all solution, especially in the case of fragile and easily damaged documents.We want to digitize them while we can keep offering access to our clients. A case in point is the work on the Canadian Expeditionary Force service files you're all familiar with. I'm pleased to tell you the project is on track, at least according to John Reid. As of November 11 2018 all 640,000 soldier's files will be online. There are 340,350,355 files and they are some of our most consulted records, and for good reason. But a project of this magnitude uses a considerable amount of our resources so we have to look at other strategies to digitize additional collections.
Welcome DigiLab.

The way it used to be clients who needed digitial copies would either use our digitization on demand service for a fee or bring their own digital cameras into our reading rooms with mixed results. With DigiLab you can come into 395 Wellington and leave with digital copies of our collection for free. You come in and scan the material you need for your research. The space is easy to use and there's support to help you learn how to use the equipment. You leave with high quality scans and a spreadsheet with information on what you've scanned. But what's perhaps more exciting, LAC will them make the information you scanned available to anyone via its website. So DigiLab is crowdsourcing at its best.
This allows the public to help us with our work, meet the demand for accessible collections and harnesses knowledge about the material we have. and all we ask from you is some simple metadata so that others can search the information more easily online.

I'm happy to share three projects that have already been hosted by DigiLab.
Nichole (Unintelligible) who is completing her honours BA at the University of Toronto has an academic and personal interest in Landscapes of Injustice, a seven year project run out of the University of Victoria. Landscapes of Injustice is funded by SSHRC and its goal is to digitize historical records across the country related to the disposition and internment of Japanese Canadians during the Second World War. As part of that project Nicole spent almost four weeks in DigiLab to digitize records that help tell the story of this sad chapter in our history. As a result over 130 related files will be placed online for everyone to consult.

Another interesting example is that of Marjelaine Sylvestre, the archivist from the Jardins de Métis in Québec. She spent a couple of days in the lab digitizing and describing 130 photographs taken by William Reefer (sp).

And there's also the work of one John Reid who digitized ten years of early Ottawa weather records from the late 1800s. As you know John holds a PhD in Atmospheric Science and he proposed this project to help support contemporary research into climate change.

So DigiLab is proof that crowdsourcing is an extremely effective way of making historical records available. But it's only one of our crowdsourcing tools.

There's another key initiative underway at LAC which I'm very excited about, and again it involves citizen archivists helping us tell the stories of history to a wider audience.
In June of last year the Manitoba Métis Federation celebrated the 200th anniversary of the Battle of
Seven Oaks, a battle which marked the emergence of the Métis nation. To support the anniversary LAC introduced software that lets people transcribe authentic historical documents. The first document to go through the process was the Coltman Report, handwritten in 1818 by William Coltman. The report provides one of the best sources on the fur trade war and is a key document in the history of the Métis Nation. the entire 521 page handwritten report was transcribed by members of the public eager to make a personal connection to history. A fully searchable pdf is now available in LAC's database, and we're about to launch a second initiative, the 91 page diary of Lady Susan Agnes Macdonald, the wife of Sir John A. I'm sure you'll agree that this diary is going to be fascinating reading - what was on her mind in that crucial time in our nation's history? How did she view the new Government of Canada starting in 1867 as her husband hammered out the details of the new confederation? What was her daily life like? What were her social obligations, her private experiences and her thoughts? By providing transcriptions of this material you can be a fly on the wall of history.

LAC is thrilled to open up these treasures from our collection to those who understand their importance and can add richer and enhanced information to them. Those who have valued knowledge of our collection and how it can be used. Those such as yourselves.

And here's another exciting development. As you may have heard, LAC is one of the founding members, not to say the architect - that's not a good term to use in Ottawa these days - of the steering committee for the National Heritage Digitization Strategy. This strategy will make more content accessible to Canadians. It was developed by the major memory institutions of Canada, large public libraries, academic libraries and archives, provincial archives, national associations of archivists, librarians, historians and museums. We adopted a way to accelerate the digitization of the most important collections of Canada and to make them easily accessible to all, linking Canadians everywhere in their quest for culture and knowledge.The strategy will cover published and unpublished analogue materials of national, regional and local significance. That will include books, periodicals, newspapers, government records, posters and maps, thesis and artifacts, photographs and documentary art, film and video, audio recordings and more. I'm sure you'll agree that much of the material identified is of interest to genealogists.

You may also be interested in a small consultative project we launched to review best practices in the field of newspaper digitization. Thanks to a donation from the Salamander Foundation a pilot collection of indigenous newspapers will be digitized over the summer so we can give it a test run in the fall.

These are just some of the exciting initiatives we have on the go. And I would like to extend an open invitation to all of you to let us know what you need from us. What works in the DigiLab, what doesn't. Which of our collections do you want to see up on our site? This will be the key to our serving you well and allowing us to make the connections that define us as Canadians.


Cheers,
Pat

Your Name in German Script

This website has a script generator - type in your surname and see what it would look like http://searchtip.genealogytipoftheday.com/?p=2077

I have a number of Deutsch ancestors, [SIEGERT, DOST, LAHL, SCAARSCHMIDT] and I would not have recognized any of them in the various script writing! Sheesh!! http://altdeutsche-schrift.de/adsschreiben.php#schriftfeld

Thanks to John Reid for sharing this.


Cheers,
Pat

Sunday, June 18, 2017

Been Sick - Last Minute Offers

Sorry guys, but I've been very ill for the past 10 days and so, and have fallen far behind sharing genealogy goodies with you all. Started innocently as a cold which tried hard to turn into pneumonia so I'm still struggling, on antibiotics now, and beginning to feel alive again.

Anyway, today is the final day for discounted DNA kits from various places https://dnabargains.com/best-fathers-day-2017-dna-sale/


Cheers,
Pat

Saturday, June 10, 2017

Sask. History & Folklore Society Conference

June 17th at the Artesian in Regina https://shfs.ca/shfs-annual-conference/

Mr. Bill Waiser is Keynote speaker - and I can't go!! Shoot!!


Cheers,
Pat

NY State Death Index, 1880-1956, Online FREE

Thanks to the amazing work of the group Reclaim the Records, images of the New York State death index are now online. FREE!! https://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/blog/images-new-york-state-death-index-1880-1956-are-now-online

I can't wait to get into these!! Good luck everyone.


Cheers,
Pat

The Secret Chimney Map Rediscovered


Read the story - a Scottish man discovers a 17th century map stuffed up a chimney presumably to help prevent drafts. http://boredomtherapy.com/man-finds-secret-chimney-map/

Watch the process of unpacking and restoring the chimney map https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E6hv3Y7mkM


Cheers,
Pat

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Pat's Genealogy Classes Fall 2017

There will be lots more information posted about these courses a bit later, but this is just for those 'keeners' who don't want to chance missing out. Many of you know I keep my class registration numbers really low so I have time to work with each person, rather than it being 'lectures' or presentations.


UNPUZZLING YOUR PAST
This is the course you should start with as it gets you going in the right direction. It also gives you about 100 pages of notes, hints, tips, best practices, and links to the best websites.
Sept 19, 26, October 3, 10 7 - 9pm MacKenzie School, Regina SK $200.00


FREE LAND
This course will deal with lots of record types held at the Saskatchewan Provincial Archives in Regina Sask. But we will be really concentrating on learning about the land that was offered FREE in western Canada and the records created. FREE land was the reason thousands upon thousands of our ancestors migrated from all over the world to Canada. There are amazing records available for us!! These sessions [plus one classroom] will take place AT the archives in Regina where you will be doing hands-on research for your own family ... with Pat there working with you. It's a great course.
Oct. 17 7 - 9pm MacKenzie School, Regina SK [classroom session]
Oct. 18 each person will receive extensive lessons & notes by email
Oct. 24 9am to noon 3303 Hillsdale, Regina SK
Oct. 31 9:30am to noon 3303 Hillsdale, Regina SK $200.00
If you are interested in this course you need to pre-register with Pat asap as she only offers this every second year and it always fills FAST. Email her pryan@sasktel.net


Cheers,
Pat

Poland IS Different

This site is more history than genealogy, but when do those two NOT go together? http://culture.pl/en/article/15-historical-quirks-that-make-poland-so-different-from-the-rest-of-europe


Cheers,
Pat

FREE Sites Parish Records for British Isles

So some of you may have used this site before, but honestly it's a new one to me - which is GREAT, but I have no experience to share with you ... but FREE is always a good thing, right? What a great name DustyDocs. http://dustydocs.com/


Cheers,
Pat

Irish Removals From England,

From Ancestry - "Our latest Irish collection, Ireland, Poor Law Union Removals From England, 1859-1860, gives us a window in to what life was like as an Irish pauper living in the UK in the late 1850’s. Irish paupers were often looked upon negatively, as an unwanted expense on the local communities in which they resided across England, Scotland and Wales." https://blogs.ancestry.co.uk/ancestry/2017/05/25/an-alien-act-against-the-irish-the-poor-law-removal-law-statute-8-9-vict-c-117/

RIP Google? 13 Alternate Search Engines

Wouldn't that be awful? RIP Google? It's not about to happen, BUT I'm certainly interested in seeing what some other search engines can dig up for me that perhaps Google can't. Worth a try, right?http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/13-alternative-search-engines-that-find-what-google-cant/

And if anyone has a success story to share, I would LOVE to hear it please!!!!


Cheers,
Pat

WHY Don't Archivists Digitize Everything?

Now isn't THAT a wonderful question??!! Such an easy life we'd have, right? Life is always easier when we have a good working knowledge of the reasons behind our questions. Read on https://peelarchivesblog.com/2017/05/31/why-dont-archivists-digitize-everything/


Cheers,
Pat

Kelowna BC Sept 16, 2017 - Join Me?

How about a lovely drive through the gorgeous Rocky Mountains to that beautiful city of Kelowna BC, and join my friend Dave Obee and me in a full day of genealogy!! Would love to see you there. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-y11N671NC2aVhfd0MtUnZuNEk/view


Cheers,
Pat

AFHS FamilyRoots 2017

My friends Shannon, Dave, John & Lesley will be presenting at Calgary, Saturday September 23rd https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/afhs-familyroots-2017-tickets-34583059863


Cheers,
Pat

Proof, No Pudding

As always, John Grenham is dead right. It doesn't matter your nationality or religion, his article provides some excellent points for each of us. https://www.johngrenham.com/blog/2017/06/05/proof-no-pudding/


Cheers,
Pat

FREE Genealogy Course Online

https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/genealogy

You can all read, and I'm busy, so there ya go. haha


Cheers,
Pat

Expert Tips for Ancestry.com

Thanks to my good friend Lisa Louise Cooke's Genealogy Gems website, there is an excellent article written by Sunny at https://lisalouisecooke.com/2017/05/find-undiscovered-treasures-at-ancestry-com-expert-tips/

Don't forget to have a look around Lisa's site https://lisalouisecooke.com/


Cheers,
Pat

Maps, Maps & More Maps

This past weekend I talked about the importance of maps [even though I was not doing a presentation on maps] and I offered numerous links in my hand-out, but I may have not mentioned this biggie at Perry-Castaneda Library http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/


Cheers,
Pat

Look How They Treated ME in Letbridge!

So I wonder how many were thinking something awful happened to me?? hahaha FAKE NEWS???? hahaha

I was honoured to have spoken to a large and enthusiastic group of genealogists in Lethbridge this past weekend. I don't know where 'everyone' was from, but I do know there were folks from Medicine Hat to the east, Montana USA to the south, British Columbia to the west, and Edmonton to the north! WHAT a great experience, I think for all of us.

I had agreed to present SIX presentations, of an hour each, on Saturday. We started at 8am, and finished up at 5pm. It was a long day, but lots of fun, AND my voice held up thanks to a great mic system. There was a great snack at morning coffee break, a fabulous lunch at noon, and probably something else throughout the afternoon but I was kept busy so not sure. haha

Now here's the amazing part!!!! 50% of those attending were NEW folks - not yet members of any genealogical society. I heard a number of new memberships were purchased so that is awesome news. Those are smart people as the Lethbridge branch is a very knowledgeable, helpful group of individuals who meet often at their well stocked library. Then they have smaller groups that are dedicated to specific topics, and helping each other in various subjects such as the group that meet Mondays to work on their Legacy genealogy software programs. It's so much more fun to have others to work with, and learn from. If I were closer I would definately be joining in. LUCKY LUCKY people who have the opportunity to join this very fun, progressive group!!

So after Saturday, I spoke to the members only for two hours Sunday morning - and there were some new members there too! Plus a few that couldn't make it Saturday so that was another great morning.

I'd like to extend a special Thank You to that young lady Eleanor McMurchy who did a magnificent job of organizing 'everything', including me!! She and I began talking about this event last September 18th, 2016. I replied to her invitation to speak in Lethbridge Alberta, as I was driving past Lethbridge Newfoundland at that exact moment! I kid you not - look it up. Lethbridge NL is on the Cabot Trail on the road to Bonavista NL. Co-incidence? Lol

I would also like to say a big Thank You to John, President of Lethbridge branch who was always available whenever I needed anything! And to Doug, from the branch, for saving my bacon when I ran into technology problems right before the last session on Saturday. Whew!! THAT was a scary 10 minutes for me!

And I could never say enough big THANK YOU's to Gary & Kathy Stauffer for being my hosts - getting me from and to the airport; giving me tours of your beautiful city; feeding me the most delicious totally gourmet meals; and for Kathy's always (too? haha) cheerful "Good Morning Pat, time to get up" because I forgot my alarm. Amazing hosts and I will never forget them and their hospitality. Thank you both.

There were many others who fussed over me, and I want them to know how much I appreciated them as well. And to Anne B. who emailed Saturday to share some amazing news with me. She explained about Agnes - and I won't say any more 'cause I don't want to spoil surprises for the next Who's Your Momma? group. BUT suffice it to say I now know the answer to my Agnes question! So Thanks to you too Anne!! We can all learn from each other if we're willing.

Cheers to all my new friends and as always Happy Searching!!


Cheers,
Pat

Saturday, May 27, 2017

June 3, 2017 Lethbridge Alberta

One week today, June 3rd 2017, come join us in celebrating the 40th year of genealogy at Lethbridge Alberta. I am honoured to be presenting SIX topics that Saturday. I'm guessing they will make room for you last minuters?! But you do need to be registered by May 29th, Monday. It's gonna be fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Cheers,
Pat

FREE Webinars & Classes - June

So the Family History Library is again offering a whole slew of FREE webinars and classes, plus FREE archived ones https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Family_History_Library_Classes_and_Webinars#Past_Webinars_.26_Handouts


Cheers,
Pat

Monday, May 22, 2017

FREE Streamed Genealogy Sessions

Apparently the Southern California Genealogical Society is again offering FREE streamed genealogy sessions beginning June 9th.

Session information is here http://www.genealogyjamboree.com/
NOTE: there are two separate streams - one is DNA and is not free - it's called Genetic Genealogy - but there might some great sessions there.
The free one is Jamboree 2017

Registration page is here http://streaming.webcastandbeyond.com/jamboree/


Cheers,
Pat

Friday, May 12, 2017

Death Certificate Has Answers

To apparently there is are "'secret' codes on death certificates that can tell you how your ancestors died". This article deals with US death registrations, so I'm not sure if Canada used the same system, but worth checking out. http://familyhistorydaily.com/free-genealogy-resources/icd-codes-death-certificates-genealogy/

Thanks to Thomas MacEntee for this FB post.

NOTE: It is now about one hour later than when I posted the above. I am working on a new presentation for my upcoming trip to Lethbridge Alberta where I'll be giving seven workshops June 3rd, 2017. AND ... AND ... AND ... I've just added a death registration to my power point presentation, and noticed there is a circled number below 'cause of death', so I looked it up using the International Classification List of Causes of Death (ICD above) AND ... AND ... AND Ohhhhh Myyyyy I'm in shock!!! I think my great grandmother just reached out to me - why else would I have just learned about the ICD at the same time I was about to include her death registration that I have had for at least ten years???

Shivers!! LOVE IT!!!!! But I'll stay shocked over this one. Poor lady.


Cheers,
Pat

Europe FROZE 1709

Some days I just marvel at how any of us are alive. We either had very tough ancestors, very lucky ancestors, or a combination of both. This is a really interesting read that would add great interest to any story about an ancestor(s) that lived in Europe in 1709. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/archaeology-and-history/magazine/2017/01-02/1709-deep-freeze-europe-winter/


Cheers,
Pat

New Irish Links

Thanks again to John Grenham for this wonderful news, and associated links https://www.johngrenham.com/blog/2017/05/08/a-network-of-new-irish-record-holding-institutions/


Cheers,
Pat

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Lethbridge Workshops - June 3, 2017

Come and join me in one very full day of workshops sponsored by the Lethbridge & District Branch of the Alberta Genealogical Society. See what we'll be doing by clicking of the Genealogy at the Bridge Workshop June 3, 2017 https://lethbridgeags.theboss.net/

While you're on their site take a moment a poke around - LOTS of goodies there.


Cheers,
Pat

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Google Earth Chrome - FREE how-to

Thanks again to my friend Lisa Louise Cooke for keeping us up to speed. She has uploaded a Tutorial to 'YouTube' ... FREE ... titled "How to Use Google Earth Chrome". I'm so far behind right now I think I'm first [LOL], but I couldn't miss sharing this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcorcgEzslc

Lisa has one of the BEST genealogy websites on the Internet with various ways of learning offered. Check it out https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Qr-Qu_vz66fh4d9rdXaOQ


Cheers,
Pat

Irish Cemeteries ONLINE

Irish research, online, continues to explode - which is SUCH a great thing as it's one of the most challenging places to research. My hero, John Grenham, has put together a list, along with weblinks on his blog https://www.johngrenham.com/blog/

Now to just find some time to look!


Cheers,
Pat

Friday, April 21, 2017

DNA Discounts This Week

Thanks to John Reid for the following discounts listed on his blog http://anglo-celtic-connections.blogspot.ca/2017/04/delightful-dna-day-deep-discounts.html

I've been waiting for a sale, and so yesterday I ordered mtFull Sequence from Family Tree DNA - this one is for my maternal line. It's a great saving ... until you convert our suffering Canadian loonies into American big bucks. sigh. I just don't understand this currency stuff, but sure wish our money would gain strength.


Cheers,
Pat

Monday, March 27, 2017

Ancestry TreeSync Ends Mar 29, 2017

Wow. For anyone using Ancestry's TreeSync feature to sync their Ancestry family tree with their offline software - you need to read this immediately! http://familyhistorydaily.com/genealogy-help-and-how-to/ancestry-treesync-end-forever-march-29th/

It will be replaced March 31st with their new sync colution BUT you MUST be using Family Tree Maker 2017.


Cheers,
Pat

Friday, March 24, 2017

DNA

So I sort of accidentally began studying DNA the past couple days - you know one of those distracted by something shiny moments that lead down crazy, interesting, unintended paths? haha Anyway it reminded me I hadn't looked at my results from FamilyTreeDNA [no association to the old genealogy software program] and they have added some really neat features. One of those features is seeing 'balloons' pop up in whatever physical areas your DNA shows up [shows matches from is probably more accurate]. So you can chose to see green balloons for your Mom's line, and/or orange balloons for your Dad's line. The strange thing is, well the FUN thing is, both parents have balloons showing up in similiar locations! And that is one HUGE surprise to me. Hmmmmmmmmmm not sure what to think! Lol

So much to learn, but I've begun. So I'm EUROPEAN 97% , made up of British Isles 67%, Western & Central Europe 27%, Soutern Europe 7%, Eastern Europe 1%, and MIDDLE EASTERN 3%. I even have a match in a few places I've never been: the Shetland Islands, Poland, Russia, New Zealand, and Egypt/Jordan/Lebanon [well, not sure about travel in these 3!]. Oh myyyyyyyyyyyy.

Anyone else dabbling in their DNA? Surprises anyone?
Have a great weekend! Weather looks amazing in good ole Saskatchewan! +15C ... lets hope cause my tan is fading fast. Darned British Isles pale skinned girl.Lol


Cheers,
Pat

Monday, March 20, 2017

BREAKING News!!

So thanks big time to Shannon Cherkowski for what she has done, and what she is sharing regarding Alberta Canada digitized vital statistics indexes and or registers. Not only has she introduced this, she has provided step by step VERY detailed instructions!! She learned this by working through the system, step by step, and now shares all that time and expertise with us, FREE!! WOW Shannon!! You ROCK my friend!! The Provincial Archives of Alberta has digitized vital statistics indexes and or registers and are now available online.


35 cents a page? Really?? So in Saskatchewan, our government has taken the very 'un'progressive step of uppping our costs which were already the most expensive in all of Canada - our index at http://genealogy.ehealthsask.ca/vsgs_srch.aspx which has not been updated, or added to, for decades, will now be an additional $15.00 each to BMDs ... which means $65.00 for each birth, marriage, or death certificate you are interested in! Bloody HELL!!

And a MAJOR shout-out to Shannon for making the announcement, and for offering us at PastRelations the big SCOOP! This is a major big time deal folks! Perhaps speak to your local MLA regarding how faaaar behind we are in Saskatchewan? Please!! See what she's done http://albertaresearch2.blogspot.ca/

And now our other great friend, and western Canadian genealogist extraordinaire, Dave Obee has made direct links to the BMDs available at Provincial Archives which you can find on Alberta portion of his CanGenealogy Blog http://www.cangenealogy.com/alberta.html Amazing what can happen when collaboration happens.

And Shannon has left an interesting idea for us in Comments below. Click on 'comment' and read. Anyone can leave a comment on any post within this blog, and I would love it if you would. The comment comes to me first, so no chance of spam sneaking by me.


Cheers,
Pat

Sunday, March 19, 2017

FREE British Webinars - Register Now

And now for something completely different! Isn't that a line from some old Monty Python sketch? Not really sure, but it's what went through my mind as I sat down to share this. HaHa

So this is titled "Breakfast with Family History Webinars from TNA". Thanks to John Reid over at his Canada's Anglo-Celtic Connections blog where you can see all the details, which look pretty interesting! I've taken a few courses on using Discovery, the online catalogue at TNA (The National Archives) in London England, and I'm going to try to attend this one as well as I've learned so much from them. http://anglo-celtic-connections.blogspot.ca/2017/03/breakfast-with-family-history-webinars.html

You can register for one, some, or all sessions through this link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/webinar-first-world-war-army-ancestors-tickets-32432757250?aff=email&utm_campaign=289300_Whats+on+March+2017&utm_medium=email&utm_source=The+National+Archives&dm_i=3PUB%2C6784%2C1MO4CB%2CLDHD%2C1

BEWARE: you must register, and there are a limited number they can accept so don't delay too long or you may get shut out. It takes less than one minute, and it's FREE. And they won't steal your identity, or bombard you with unwanted mail. There. Relax, and register to learn some new 'stuff'!! haha


Cheers,
Pat

Friday, March 17, 2017

Organizing Your Papers Workshop - Mar

So I got home to IH yesterday, March 16th [my birthday!] and on Saturday March 18th I'll be delivering a two hour workshop titled "Organizing Your Paper Files". It will begin at 1:30pm at the Heritage Club building - on Otterloo kitty korner from Big Way Foods in Indian Head. I believe the cost is about 5 bucks!! What a bargain!! Everything you need will be supplied. Description below


ORGANIZING YOUR PAPER FILES [2 hours]

We LOVE the thrill of the chase! Later we can’t find what we *know* we have. This one deals strictly with getting control of the copious amounts of paper we collect, or have inherited, and getting it organized so you can find, within a few seconds, exactly what you are looking for! Eureka! Hello happy dances, and goodbye dust bunnies!! Includes a several page handout with comprehensive details so you won’t get lost as you prepare to use this system to get totally organized.
This session is aimed at all skill sets. You'll go home with five pages of comprehensive notes, plus two Pedigree Charts and a Family Group Sheet to work on.

And anyone wanting to pre-register can contact me pryan@sasktel.net or just show up!!


Cheers,
Pat

Thursday, March 9, 2017

Ireland - Flax Grower's Bounty List 1796

So the first time I saw, and used this, it was on MICROFICHE and this was mid 1990s. i had no luck. I have also searched the list numerous times since then, on various medium including online websites, free and paid sites. Today I tried this website and found many of my families!! Yippee Yahoo!! haha Anyway, give it a try and best of luck folks. There is a good description of this list as well as various ways of searching. Try them all. http://www.marmionfamilytree.com/FlaxGrowersListDown1796.html

I decided to copy the info from this website, minus the search engine of course, just in case the site disappears we will still have the background.

"Listed below is the Flax Growers' Bounty List which was published by the Irish Linen Board in 1796 listing below a portion of this list for all the flax growers in County Down, Northern Ireland. This was when the Linen industry was at it's height. A government program to encourage the growing of flax.which awarded the growers. It is a valuable substitute for non-existent census material for this period in Ireland, containing the names of around 55,000 small farmers is almost every county (Dublin and Wicklow being the only counties not covered) who received an award of a spinning-wheel or loom in return for planting certain amounts of flax."To the person who should sow between the 10th day of March and the 1st day of June 1796 with a sufficient quantity of good sound flax-seed, any quantity of land, well prepared and fit for the purpose not less than 1 Acre -- 4 Spinning Wleels, 3 Roods -- 3 ditto, 2 Roods --2 ditto and 1 Rood -- 1 ditto. And to the person who should sow in like manner any quantity of like land, not less than 5 Acres, a loom or wleels, reels or hatchells to the value of 50 shillings, and for every 5 Acres over and above the first 5, a like premium"

To search a name, click on the first letter of the last name then use Ctrl + F and enter name, or simply scroll down. Sometimes children were listed on the growers list. Many of these people were related to each other in County Down, if the place name and last name are the same chances are they are one family. Land was not given to the oldest or heir, but in a more family oriented and loving manner was divided among all the children. These growers wre usually the middle class. All of the names listed here were awarded at least one spinning wheel.
There are nearly 3,000 names for County Down."

Cheers,
Pat