Der Kurier
Volume 28, Number 2, June 2010
Rise, decline, fall – and resurrection? – of the query
By James M. Beidler
or the six-going-on-seven years that I’ve There’s a version of “Back to the Future” had the privilege of editing Der Kurier, one about this that applies to genealogical queries, Fof those who has faithfully rendered though not too many genealogists may assistance to me has been Edythe H. Millar. aggressively practice it. Here are a number of new Her only laments during that time have ways of using this and other old tools effectively been that queries for the “Suchanzeigen” column in the electronic age. she compiles always seem to come by postal or e- *** mail to her just after the deadline for the journal, I’ve used my favorite example of and that the overall number of queries have connecting with other researchers from online declined as people use Internet for more and more query bulletin boards before, but it’s worth of their communication. repeating: When I was fortunate enough to ferret I, too, remember those days of yore when out the German home village of my immigrant queries from members was half (or more!) of the Machmer ancestor, I wanted to spread the word to reason for the existence of newsletters and others that the information might help. journals published genealogical societies across Among the websites that I checked was the country. Some editors received so many GenForum (which is found at the URL, queries that they needed to be limited – oftentimes http://genforum.genealogy.com/), and there I to the particular society’s membership and even to found queries from several individuals that the number of queries that any particular appeared to descend from my same Machmer individual could place during a specific time immigrant (who came to America in 1744 with his period. twin brother, of all things!). Flatly stated: That “golden age” of In no case were these queries asking published queries isn’t going to return. The specifically about the Machmer immigrant immediacy, perceived or actual, of Internet origins, but (also in no case) were the individuals communication will continue its ascendancy, no displeased with the information, and in one case doubt. (Continued on Page 27)
In this issue Suchanzeigen ……..……..………...……...... 27 Fraktur Forum ………..….………….….. 30-31 Family register …………………...…………… 28 Ortsippenbuch abstracts ……..…….. 32-45 New members ………………………..………... 28 Der Kalender …………………………..…..… 45 Translators ……………….…………….……… 29 MAGS Store …………...…………..…….…… 47 Der Kurier Mid-Atlantic Germanic Society Vol. 28, No. 2, June 2010
MID-ATLANTIC GERMANIC SOCIETY PO Box 334 Glenn Dale MD 20769-0334
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Our mission: To stimulate and facilitate research on Germanic genealogy and heritage in the mid-Atlantic region Mid-Atlantic Germanic Society (MAGS) is a non-profit genealogical society founded 10 July 1982. Annual dues are only $15 (individual) or $20 (family). Membership is open to all interested persons without regard to place of residence, nationality, or ethnicity. Benefits of membership include: