HEAR YE HEAR YE Vol. 33, No.2 - Summer 2012 HEAR YE HEAR YE
Vol. 33 - No. 2 Summer 2012 © 2012 Rochester Genealogical Society RootsMagic By Nancy M. Merzke
hat genealogy software would you recommend? every screen. The software is highly compatible and WWhat is the proper way to document your source? portable. It can import PAF type files to and from These two questions were asked by a member during FamilySearch. In terms of portability it can run directly GenTalk at a recent RGS meeting. RGS does not endorse from a flash drive with RootsMagic To-Go. You can any particular brand of genealogy software. The fact is that also perform web searches right through the applica- each product does the basics. Some may have more bells tion without having to copy and paste names and dates; and whistles that some people find appealing yet those same features may be overwhelming to others. Each person will this software will pull the data for you. tell you that they like the program they use – at least they RootsMagic functions like a database, and it can should. After all, why use a product that you don’t like? store and organize a large volume of information and What our member did is what I think is the best ap- small details such as marriage dates, health informa- proach to use when you are deciding which genealogy tion, burial dates, occupations and religion. All in all program to buy. Ask other genealogists what they are it has 60 pre-defined fact categories, or you can add using and why. Find out what each program has to of- your own. Additionally, photographs, sound clips and fer; what do other genealogists find so attractive about video can be attached to any person, family, place, it. You will likely find selling points or draw backs source or event. that you’d not previously considered. This is what RootsMagic offers a high level of compatibility, our member did. Her ultimate choice, based on her including being FamilySearch certified. This software needs, was RootsMagic. One of the reasons she chose can import from Family Tree Maker, PAF files, Family RootsMagic is that it gave her the guidance she was Origins, Legacy and LDS programs. It also fully sup- looking for concerning the proper way to document ports GEDCOM 5.5 for exchanging data with other her sources. I took her experience as my inspiration for applications. this article. With RootsMagic genealogy software you can eas- My goal is to introduce you to some of the features ily work with more than one database of information of RootsMagic including a couple that I think separate at once. You can even drag and drop people between it from its competitors. I am in no way suggesting that databases. When new people are moved into a differ- you should change what you are using. I am also in ent database, the family links are automatically cre- no way suggesting that RGS recommends this or any ated and you can store and search by alternate names. other product. My thought is to supply you with what Searches can be performed by name, record number, date, will hopefully be useful information and new tools. place, note or other field. There is also a search and replace for quick entry changes. RootsMagic has recently been updated entirely. It is easy to use and you can quickly move through the application and add new information from just about Continued on 10 -1- HEAR YE HEAR YE Vol. 33, No.2 - Summer 2012 HEAR YE HEAR YE President’s Message Marian Henry began this President’s Message thinking about summer a will), there will be an executor (person appointed in a Iresearch trips. The internet is for cozy winter evenings by will to carry out its provisions) or executrix (female execu- the fire. Warm days, no snow on the roads, long daylight tor). In the case of sudden illness or injury the will may be hours – that’s the time to get out and find those documents nuncupative (declared orally), but will still have witnesses. that aren’t available via the internet. So, I was going to say, If the decedent died intestate (without a will), the court will let’s go visit out-of-the-way historical and genealogical appoint an administrator (person appointed to manage or societies, county courthouses, and such. Places that have divide the estate of a deceased person). Instead of writing a useful information that is not, and probably will not be new will, a testator can write a codicil (an addition modi- online anytime soon. Now, historical societies are comfort- fying a will). The testator bequeaths (transfers personal able. They can look and feel like libraries. They even have property to someone) or devises (transfers real estate to friendly staff that is there to help. Courthouses, however, are someone) his estate to his heirs (entitled by law or by terms another story. These days we have to go through security of a will to inherit property from another), who often in- just to get inside. Sometimes we can’t take our digital cam- clude his consort (spouse) and/or issue (offspring, children, era or our cell phone with us. The people who work there, descendents). kind as they might be, do not have our needs as their highest The probate packet may include the following: appoint- priority. For us shy folks, this is somewhat intimidating. Tell ment of executor or administrator to prepare and present to me again why I have to do this. Because the county court- the court an inventory of the estate; the will and testimony house is where they keep probate records and deeds. Oh, of witnesses to the will as to its validity; list of heirs; a right. Probate records and deeds. All those funny words like financial report by the executor or administrator listing col- “messuage” and “enfeoff.” I think, instead, we’ll focus on lection of debts owed to the estate, payment of debts owed the jargon to make this stuff more palatable. by the estate, and division of the remaining estate among Let’s begin with probate records. The first reality check the heirs; appointment of guardians to minor children; testi- is to make sure we’re headed for the right courthouse. Mon- mony, usually of relatives, if the will is disputed. Although roe County, for example, was created in 1821. Before that, the decedent’s occupation is not always stated, the list of ev- someone who died in what became Monroe County would erything making up the estate will also help us distinguish a be in either Genesee or Ontario County. Should we look in cordwainer (shoemaker) from a yeoman (freehold farmer). Rochester or Batavia or Canandaigua? Assuming we’re at A relict (“left behind,” archaic term for widow) had the right courthouse, and we’ve found the files of the Sur- a special status under law because of her dower rights (a rogate court (That’s for New York. If we’re in Pennsylvania, widow’s share for life of her late husband’s estate). He probate is under the jurisdiction of the Orphans’ Court. For could bequeath or devise his entire estate to his children, other states, you’re on your own.), and there is a probate but, by law, she had the use of part – traditionally one third file, what next? – of the estate during her widowhood, i.e. until she remar- The probate ried or died. Because a wife was potentially a widow, she TABLE OF CONTENTS file is identified by had a vested interest in any real estate that her husband 1940 US Census Indexing Project 11 a case number. It wanted to sell during his lifetime. She was, in effect, a par- Book Distribution Project 7 contains a summa- tial owner, and her consent was required. He could buy land Catholic Dispensations 101 4 ry of court proceed- by himself, but only the two of them could legally sell it. If CIG Programs 6 ings to process the that nicety was neglected, we sometimes find a later deed CRPC Summer 2012 3 Editor’s Note 11 estate (all property in which the widow separately transfers her dower rights, Holy Sepulcher Ramblings 5 and debts belong- in order to make the original transfer unquestionably valid. It’s Not Rocket Science 9 ing to a person) That segues tidily into deeds, usually found in the County Member Query 5 of a decedent (a Clerk’s office in the same courthouse. Membership 9 Presidents Message 2 deceased person). The deed books will undoubtedly be accompanied by a Programs 6 If the decedent is series of index books. Each transaction is listed twice – once Rochester Churches Indexing Project 4 a testator (person for grantor (the “party of the first Roots Magic 1 who has written Continued on 8
-2- HEAR YE HEAR YE Vol. 33, No.2 - Summer 2012 HEAR YE HEAR YE CRPC Summer Report
he Church Records collection on the RGS website home computer was broken. It wasn’t but I will try to Tcontinues to grow. The committee has recently added explain what you may encounter and why. Consider the Mt Hope Cemetery single graves and 19 volumes of the 83 volumes in the Salem collection we are about to Salem Evangelical Reformed Church records. Kathryn add to the website. Not all will be available for privacy Heintz has completed bookmarking the remaining Salem reasons but the volumes range in size from 2 to 239 volumes (83 total) and they will be available soon. megabytes with the average size about 50 megabytes. The next collection of church records to be made Here is a tip from Roger Heintz our webmaster. If you available will be Concordia Lutheran which joined with want to see the size of the file move your cursor over the Zion Lutheran in 1959 to build Incarnate Word Lutheran filename and a window will appear that reveals the size, on the corner of East Ave and Goodman St. The records number of pages and other facts about that PDF book. are located at Incarnate Word. The early records are in When you open the book to view it, the entire book is German and they slowly downloaded to your com- transitioned to English af- puter. That can take several ter 1910. The collection of minutes depending on your 54 volumes includes Parish computer and network Registers, Anniversary connection so try to be booklets, Pew Assignment patient. I use Windows 7 registers, photographs, and Firefox and there is no Council Meeting minutes, obvious indication the file School lesson plans etc. is downloading. Windows Yes, Concordia had a XP and Firefox does show German- English school a progress bar so depend- for about 30 years. It had ing on your computer’s a peak enrollment of 350 operating system and children before closing in browser software your 1907. results may differ from I would like to thank mine. Remember, if you the members of the com- keep selecting the volume mittee who are imaging you want to open you will records at Third Presbyte- Concordia Evangelical Lutheran Church on Helena St., Rochester, NY be downloading multiple rian Church on Wednesday copies which will really mornings. As of May 2012 Bob Coomber, Russ Green, bog down your network connection. Open the book you Eila Harkonen-Hart, Roscoe Hastings, Larry Lavery, want to view once and be patient. Larry Naukam and Vince Tollers have imaged over Minimizing the file sizes on the website helps the 23,000 pages of records. I expect they will continue ease any download and viewing problems so we have through the summer months and then will switch to the reduced the resolution of the Church Record images next project, Lakeville Presbyterian Church. You are and Mt Hope images on the website. We find them welcome to join us. Let me know and I will provide perfectly acceptable for most purposes but if you find details. you need a higher quality image of a page just let us I would also like to acknowledge those who are know. We maintain an archive of the high resolution working behind the scenes to organize and process the images for all of the Church and Mt Hope Records on thousands of Church and Mt Hope images that appear on the website. the RGS website. A tip of the hat to Bob Coomber, Ros- coe Hastings, Kathryn and Roger Heintz, Barb Koehler Larry Lavery, CRPC Chair and Larry Lavery. ( [email protected]) I used the Church Records on the RGS website for my family research and I thought for a moment my
-3- HEAR YE HEAR YE Vol. 33, No.2 - Summer 2012 HEAR YE HEAR YE Rochester Churches Indexing Project Update
e welcome new RGS indexer from Florida, While most records are straightforward and easily WAnne Trabold, to our team. indexed, some extensive scholarship is needed with The RCIP exceeded our goal in April by now having others. What do you do when primary records disagree? 26,189 Rochester area marriages indexed. Following How should we deal with name changes and with New York State guidelines for privacy, we have now Latin? That is why we need a team to work on such completed Concordia Lutheran and two Evangelical problems. What may appear to be a primary record may & Reformed parishes. There have been requests to not be. St. Peter & Paul parish had someone do an ex- do some of the Italian parishes and we now have 422 traction and that is the only record we now have. That marriages from Our Lady of Mount Carmel completed. German parish has the German forenames changed to Some of us are now working on the west side Italian Irish spellings so that Johannes is now John, Maria is parish, St. Anthony of Padua. It should be kept in mind now Mary, and Jacob is now James! So much for not that we can only go to 1910 with Catholic records. altering anything in an original record and that second They haven’t been published yet but we have the generation was done over 100 years ago. Brighton Reformed and some of the St. Peter & Paul Don’t know how to index? There are opportunities baptisms already indexed. Soon to appear will be the to work on the 1940 US Census. Some of the smaller Salem church marriages that will complete that parish. states have already been completed. This is your chance We have gotten requests to do St. Michaels up to 1910 to give something back to genealogy and to work from and that will be our next project. the comfort of your own home. Give it a try!
Catholic Dispensations 101..... Making Sense of Them nyone working with Catholic Church registers will question about the validity of the baptism you may Asoon run into those strange dispensations. What see that a dispensation is granted with the designation do they mean? Sacraments like marriage are governed of “disparity of cults”. A marriage to a non-Christian by Canon Laws which in turn come from prohibi- would also require a disparity of cult’s dispensation, yet tions found in the Bible or the Magisterium authority. most will be to a Protestant Christian because the priest The publication of the bans of marriage is supposed is being scrupulous and is unsure of the validity. to be made three times with the final date being the Marriages to relatives will require a dispensation for marriage. Sometimes fewer than three are said and a the impediment. These are graded 1 to 4 and may say dispensation is granted for the missing bans. The bans something about cousinship being of “equal or unequal while interesting are not generally valuable from a ge- lines” from a common ancestor. A grade one dispensa- nealogical perspective. A Catholic priest has the discre- tion is NOT a marriage of first cousins. What it usually tion to perform a mixed marriage at a church provided means is that a party marries the brother or sister of his the non-Catholic party attests that there will be no in- deceased spouse. That happened frequently in a time of terference with the Catholic party’s performance of her/ short lives and big families. The grade 2 dispensation is his religion and that any children of that union will be for a marriage of first cousins. The grades continue out brought up Catholic. A dispensation for a “mixed reli- to the third cousin relationship and end at grade 4. gion” marriage is granted when the other party has had Most of the time these dispensations will be written a valid baptism. A Protestant baptism generally will be in Latin, but the Latin is so close to the English that you considered valid provided that the water flows during should not have a problem. baptism. A baptism is considered so important that it may be performed by the midwife or mother if it looks Bert Balt like the infant will not survive. Where there is some -4- HEAR YE HEAR YE Vol. 33, No.2 - Summer 2012 HEAR YE HEAR YE Holy Sepulcher Ramblings he following questions and answers were culled the same place as those who had received the sacrament. This Tfrom a trip made by RGS members to Holy Sepul- was the reason a typical baptism would take place on the day cher Cemetery on Lake Ave. in Rochester. Many of you of birth or soon afterwards. will find the answers very interesting. 5) It looks like my ancestor was buried without a monu- 1) Why can I not find ancestors on the cemetery’s com- ment. Don’t be so sure! The sandy soil at Holy Sepulcher is puter? There was a fire in the 1920’s when the cemetery like quicksand. Over the years a small marker may have been office was located�������������������������������������������������� on Frank St. near the St. Patrick’s Cathe- buried under several inches of sand. Bring along a probe just dral. Many records were lost including those from the former to be sure. Take advantage of the excellent maps as well. One cemeteries before Holy Sepulcher was established. Burials on time they didn’t exist and this was a most difficult cemetery the eastern side of the cemetery would be the ones most af- to find anything. fected. Family plots on the eastern side may have the names, 6) Why do many Catholic monuments have the cross at a but exact location of the burials may or may not be known. 45 degree angle instead of upright? This does seem to be a 2) Why would my Catholic ancestor be buried in Mt. Catholic thing. A monument of this type found in a municipal Hope Cemetery? The Catholic party needed to be in a state cemetery most likely belongs to a Catholic. Also you won’t of grace to be buried in Holy Sepulcher. A suicide would find any monuments with the insignia of secret organizations prevent that state of grace. A non-Catholic spouse would like the Masons or Odd Fellows. Belonging to such organiza- be denied burial at Holy Sepulcher until recently. Perhaps a tions is still prohibited. couple wanted to be buried together and this is the only way it 7) Why aren’t there any mausoleums in Holy Sepulcher? It was possible. has to do with the blessing of the grounds and not the air 3) Why is there only one burial book available from LDS above. You needed an actual burial in the ground to get the sources? At one time there were two books on film. A burial benefit of the blessing. book to 1911 that listed consecutive burials with an LDS 8) My spouse is Catholic but I am not. Can I still be number and the companion name index which never had buried next to my spouse? Yes, the rule has been changed as an LDS number and is not listed in their catalog. I used that long as one of the partners is Catholic. I have seen a monu- missing film back in 1991 at Nazareth College and know ment there with a Jewish Star of David. Limbo is no longer that existed as late as 2007. Unfortunately it is now lost and a an article of faith so there isn’t the distinction between being trip to the Holy Sepulcher office is the only way to access the baptized and not baptized. original name index book. Holy Sepulcher is a beautifully kept cemetery. You 4) Why are some babies buried “by the fence” and others should become familiar with it even if you don’t share that in regular numbered plots? This had to do with the Catholic faith. doctrine of Limbo which was an article of faith until Vatican 2. A baby needed to be baptized to enjoy the fullness of the Bert Balt faith. A stillborn or unbaptized child could not be buried in Member Query
REEN-HETZLER. Seeking parents/ancestry of Sodus, Wayne, NY later returning to IL/WI. GJohn Green: born about 1800, possibly in Duchess Any help is appreciated. Nancy Schroder, 2645 Oak County, NY, died unknown. John Green married Anna Lane Dr., Rhinelander, WI 54501, nss7181@newnorth. Hetzler/Hetsler/Hechlar about 1828-9. Anna: born 14 net. Apr 1813 in Wheatland, Monroe, NY was the daughter Any assistance you can provide is greatly appreci- of Frederick Hetzler/Hetsler and Elizabeth Fips, died ated. Thank you! 22 May 1869 in Marengo, McHenry, IL. John and Anna had four children: Emeline, Dewitt Clinton, Frederick Nancy Schroder R and Elizabeth. The family lived in Seneca, McHenry, IL from abt. 1839-1859, is found in the 1860 census in
-5- HEAR YE HEAR YE Vol. 33, No.2 - Summer 2012 HEAR YE HEAR YE 2012 Spring Program Schedule he Rochester Genealogical Society (RGS) meets monthly, except July, August, and December, usually on Tthe third Thursday of the month. The meetings are held in the Fellowship Hall of the Asbury First United Methodist Church, 1050 East Avenue in Rochester, New York. The meetings usually start with a short program at 7:00 p.m., followed by a short business meeting and a refreshment break, and then a main program beginning at 8:00 p.m. and ending about 9:00 p.m. There is an experienced research consultant available in the anteroom at the back of the large meeting room during the short program for attendees with specific research questions.
June 21, 2012:
Annual RGS Picnic Synopsis: This promises to be a memorable event. Members of the 4th US Cushings Battery Civil War Reenactment Regiment will join us for “rations” (dinner), then a display at the Mount Hope Civil War Monument. The 4th US Cushings Battery preforms some of the larger Civil War reenactments including Gettysburg, Mumford, Letchworth Park, Ft. Ontario, and many others. They will explain life for the Civil War soldier, women’s roles in the Civil War, and much more. Fair warning: These are uniformed Union soldiers with “artillery”. Confederates attend at your own risk. Bring your dinner and join us at the Mount Hope office for an evening you will never forget!
CIG (Computer Interest Group) oin the Computer Interest Group for learning and sharing of technology-related information for genealogists. Our Jmembers range from novices to experts and at $5 per year, membership provides serious value for your money. Upcoming Meetings:
Thursday, June 14, 2012 Using Spreadsheets to Track Program: The Pre-1850 US Censuses name only the Head of Household. Individuals through the Pre- Tracking other family members 1790 through 1840 can be a frustrating 1850 Censuses and error-prone exercise. There are tools available which may help. Free Dennis Hogan spreadsheet tools as well as a commercially-available product will be presented.
ost people think that shadows follow, precede, or surround beings or M objects. The truth is that they also surround words, ideas, desires, deeds, impulses and memories. -Elie Wiesel, writer, Nobel laureate
-6- HEAR YE HEAR YE Vol. 33, No.2 - Summer 2012 HEAR YE HEAR YE Exciting Changes in the Book Distribution Program
By Carmen Bush
s those of you who can come to the monthly RGS I appreciate the favorable comments that many of Ameetings are well aware, one feature of every you have made to me as feedback, and I have been con- meeting is the opportunity to win a book of genealogi- sidering different ways to improve the program. I hope cal interest at the end of the evening. I’d like to take that the plan I have come up with will satisfy everyone. the opportunity to explain how the program works and The main challenge I have every month, besides what we can all do to make it better. staying on budget, is trying to vary the subject matter of The purpose of this program is threefold. First, it the books offered, while at the same time attempting to is educational, letting those who are too busy to spend make sure that winners are satisfied with their choices. time at the bookstores know what is new and available To deal with this problem, in the past I have of- in the fields of traditional genealogy, digital research, fered mostly books of very general interest, not want- DNA analysis, family history, local history, memoir ing to stick the second or third winners with a book on writing, etc. British, or Italian research, for instance, if they have Second, it’s a benefit to the members, giving them no ancestry from those countries. There’s nothing the opportunity to obtain a useful reference book for worse than having the thrill of hearing your number the minimal price of fifty cents per ticket. And last, announced, only to find that the one book left is one and no less important, it adds one more element of fun you have absolutely no interest in. However, this ap- to the meetings. proach is very limiting. This is a self-sustaining program, and without your So this is what I am going to try next year. Start- participation it couldn’t continue. The way it works is ing in September, you’ll have a group of five books or that we have a budget, which allows me to plan ahead, items to choose from. We’ll still pick three winners, and buy books when I find them at a good price; at the same as always, but there will be more choices. So same time, by the end of the year, the program is ex- even the third winner will have three choices! The two pected to bring in as income at least the same amount offerings left unpicked will be featured at the follow- I spend on books. That’s what being self-sustaining ing meeting together with three new ones. This will means. If ticket sales fall short, I have to pick less mean that I can offer more books that may appeal to expensive books for the next few months so that we a smaller group of people such as British, or Ger- come out even at the end of our fiscal year. The more man, or Italian research-related books, for instance, people that participate, and the more tickets each one or DVDs and other media material that appeal only buys, the better the quality of the books I can provide to computer-oriented genealogists, as well as novelty throughout the year. items, charts, etc. Besides buying tickets, another way in which you I hope you like the changes. For my part, I enjoy can help is by making donations. If someone gives this job very much. It’s fun being on the look out for you a gift card to Barnes and Noble for your birthday good books for everyone to enjoy, as well as having or Christmas, and you already have more books that the opportunity to meet so many of you when you stop you know what to do with, consider donating your to get your tickets. Besides that, I am very lucky to gift card to RGS for the Book Distribution Program. have the help of Jim Allen, Kathy McGrath and Sha- I’ll be happy to put it to good use. Also if you have ron Perkins, who substitute for me when I can’t make gently-used books, on a genealogy-related topic, it, or simply to give me a chance to go get a drink and published within the last few years, and you no longer a cookie at break time. need them, they’d be very welcome as well. In all cas- See you next meeting at the tickets table! es you will receive an official RGS acknowledgement expressing our gratitude, which is documentation of a charitable contribution for income tax purposes. -7- HEAR YE HEAR YE Vol. 33, No.2 - Summer 2012 HEAR YE HEAR YE President’s Message (cont.) Marian Henry part” or seller) and grantee (the “party of the second part” a legal act). Golly, all at once? But, doesn’t it sound more or buyer). Look for your ancestor in both indices, but in the impressive? grantor index also look for his administrator/executor, his The description of the property being transferred can widow, or any of his children. also be puzzling. Descriptions of land in the western states The initial wording of a deed is usually quite simple. are relatively simple, the parcels being, for the most part, The seller (whose occupation and place of residence are rectangular. Land in the east, however, is described by the usually recorded) sells something, to be described below, more recondite method of metes and bounds. The metes to the buyer (whose occupation and place of residence are are the straight-run sections of the boundary, each specified also listed) for a specified price. The occupation and place by a direction and a distance. For example, we might find of residence help to distinguish people with the same name. “south forty eight & a half degrees west forty two perches” This includes linking land deeds with probate; an innkeeper which translates “face south, then turn 48.5 degrees to the grantee is unlikely to be the same man who later died pos- west and move forward 42 perches (the same as a rod; 5.5 sessed of a full set of blacksmithing tools, even if they do yards). The bounds are other boundary descriptors such as a share the same name. Analogous to the rule about looking water course or a public road. The description will start by at ALL the census records, we should look for all the deeds specifying a place of beginning, describe a complete circuit for our ancestor. If a man makes his first purchase of land around the property, often mentioning the names of own- before he actually moves into the area, his residence in that ers of adjoining land, and then usually state the enclosed deed will tell us where he came from. Very handy, right? acreage often with the qualifying disclaimer “be it more or Ideally, we can match all the land he bought with land he less.” Comparing the description of the same property as sold or bequeathed. In reality, not all deeds were recorded. it changes hands tells us something about the accuracy of What we find in the deed books are not original deeds. the surveyor’s art and the wandering attention of the clerk They’re copies of deeds made by the clerk of the court. making the copy. (That’s why we find them in the County Clerk’s office. In addition to the land itself, the property may also Duh.) Either grantor or grantee could decide to record the contain a messuage (a dwelling house), and hereditaments deed – and pay for it. If they lived in different counties, the (anything capable of being inherited), and appurtenances deed could be recorded in a county different from the prop- (attached easements, or rights and privileges). erty being transferred. The deed might be recorded very, The grantor may sell “to the only proper use and behoof very long after it was executed. If property was passed on in (use, service, profit, advantage)” of the grantee. The word the family, the owner could simply write on the back that he “behoof” implies transference in fee simple (seller has sold it to his son, for example, and have it witnessed. When absolute right to sell with no restriction). The grantor sells, the family wanted to sell the land several generations later, not only to the grantee, but to his heirs, executors, adminis- the prospective buyer might insist that the original deed be trators, and assigns (individuals to whom property is, will recorded. be, or may be transferred). That would about cover all pos- Pay particular attention to a low price. Selling a valuable sibilities, I guess. Even though this is an agreement between piece of property to someone for a dollar may indicate the the party-of-the-first-part and the party-of-the-second-part, presence of a heretofore unknown son-in-law. Regardless of only the party-of-the-first-part signs the deed. The clerk’s the selling price, deeds will sometimes mention family rela- copy will distinguish between a mark and a signature. This tionships. Reading the designation “my daughter Jane, inter- can also help to distinguish between two men with the same married with John Doe” is probably worthy of a celebratory name, for example a father who cannot write his name and glass of something or other. his son who can. The grantor does not just “sell.” The deed can read like Probate records and deeds can tell us a great deal about an entry in a thesaurus. He grants (transfers property by a an ancestor including when he came into the county and deed), bargains (negotiates the terms of an agreement), sells from where, who his neighbors were, whom he did business (exchanges for money), aliens (transfers property), enfeoffs with, how he made a living and who inherited his estate and (gives someone freehold property), releases (relinquishes when. Have a good trip! title to another), and confirms (makes valid or binding by
-8- HEAR YE HEAR YE Vol. 33, No.2 - Summer 2012 HEAR YE HEAR YE It’s Not Rocket Science Anymore!
omputers have a reputation for being mysterious, frustrating, and expensive. However, while you weren’t look- Cing, computers improved. Gradually they have become more of an appliance (“turn it on & use it”) and less of a pain. Plus they are very helpful in researching your family. I think you may be out of excuses for not taking full advantage of computers for genealogy. Excuse #1: Computers are too expensive. Wrong. Do you like free? You can use the computers at your local library for free (with a free Monroe County Library card). Ancestry.com is free at 7 Monroe County libraries and HeritageQuest is free at all local libraries. You can use tons of great genealogy software for free at our 4 local Family History Centers (Brockport, West- fall Rd, Kreag Rd, Palmyra). Excuse #2: I can’t learn how to use a computer. Yes you can! You’ll be surprised at how easy it is. Almost every public library offers computer courses from absolute beginner level to intermediate topics. Check at your local library for offerings, which are mostly free. Excuse #3: Someday I’m going to learn more about using computers (I don’t need that beginner stuff). There’s no time like the present. Here’s a link to an overview of classes at our local libraries: http://www3.libraryweb.org/adults.aspx?id=108 Also the JCC hosts classes by TechAge (formerly SeniorNet). “Computer classes for adults, taught by adults.” No whippersnappers talking tech-speak, just real people helping you learn. www.roctechage.org Excuse #4: I’m doing OK with computers, but I need help using them for genealogy. You knew this was coming. RGS & its Computer Interest Group (CIG) can help you. Every month the CIG has presentations by experienced researchers on computer related topics. Many of the RGS presentations are also tech-related. The RGS site (http://nyrgs.org/) has meeting schedules with topics for both the RGS & CIG. Good Luck. Dennis Hogan, RGS VP & CIG Coordinator Membership Corner any of you have renewed your membership already and we thank you for your dedication to making our orga- Mnization a success. For those who have not yet renewed, dues are due by July 1st. If you receive a paper Hear Ye Hear Ye the label will indicate if your membership is about to expire. If you receive your Hear Ye Hear Ye by email and you are not sure of your membership status you can email me at [email protected], and I can tell you when your membership expires. We have not come up with a better way to do this yet! Regular membership dues are still $20 for RGS and $5 (optional) for the Computer Interest Group.
Kathryn D. Heintz
We welcome the following new members.
Christine Seaman Renee Lanni William & Margaret Fien Cindi and Richard Hare Pat DeCaro Susan McKenna Rosamond Miller
Membership Secretary
-9- HEAR YE HEAR YE Vol. 33, No.2 - Summer 2012 HEAR YE HEAR YE RootsMagic (cont.)
By Nancy M. Merzke
This software has just about all of the data entry, Most Out of RootsMagic.” You can also read comments sourcing and management tools you could want. It posted by users and technical support on their message offers numerous sourcing tools, including nearly 400 boards. RootsMagic also includes features to satisfy Source Wizard templates, and source documentation modern expectations such as DNA data storing and can be added to any person, fact or family. Sources can website creation. be copied, memorized, merged and listed, and you can RootsMagic, the company, has other software avail- apply more than one source to one entry. You can also able to support the avid genealogist. Personal Histo- create your own source templates. rian helps you write the story of your life and of other RootsMagic has good tools for organizing media individuals. If you are overwhelmed with the thought relative to an entry. This genealogy software can store of writing a personal history, this software breaks this images, sound clips, video and documents such as seemingly monumental task into small, manageable Word or PDF files. You can also configure RootsMagic pieces and then reconstructs it into a complete, publish- to upload scanned items directly from your scanner. Ba- able document. Family Atlas is the fun and easy way to sic image editing function such as adjusting sharpness, map your family history. Trace your ancestor’s migra- brightness, contrast and orientation can be performed tion around the world and pinpoint the sites of impor- without using a separate photo editor. tant family events. Import your family data directly The software is well organized, easy to use and very from your genealogy software, then create and print intuitive meaning you will spend less time consulting personalized family maps. Family Reunion Organizer the help menu. It is simple to switch between views, guides you from start to finish to plan that most-impor- and many types of information can be clicked on to find tant of get-togethers. Organize your guest list, finances, relating information, which really speeds up the process schedule, and assignments. It even has ideas to keep of moving through a family line. guests of all ages entertained. For many genealogists, the sharing of information is Both RootsMagic and Personal Historian are avail- one of the most important aspects of genealogy soft- able online in a form called essentials. This allows you ware. Your dream may be to produce a printed book or to download a slightly limited version of the software a series of books to share with the family and relevant as a free trial. You will have the chance to evaluate libraries. RootsMagic supports customized headers, what it has to offer without having to commit to a footers, margins and fonts, and books can easily be purchase. created. It has a tool called RootsMagic Publisher that Finally, let me share some of the features that make can create books with narrative, notes, charts, images, this my software of choice. I like to feel like I am get- source information, a bibliography, index pages, a table ting my money’s worth out of any product I purchase. of contents and more. The genealogy software can also RootsMagic software costs $29.95. You may choose to be used to create six types of CSS-styled websites: purchase the User Guide for an additional $10, but it pedigree charts, group sheets, combo pedigree chart isn’t necessary. You have the choice of a direct down- and group sheet, descendant narrative, ancestor narra- load or the download with a CD. If you choose the tive and alphabetical narrative. It can also create read- later, you will pay a small additional fee for shipping only CDs for sharing data. of the CD. However, either way you choose, you will RootsMagic also provides numerous reporting op- be able to download the program just as soon as your tions, and all reports can be saved as a PDF file or an credit card clears. You will also be able to download the RTF file for word processing applications. software on up to five computers at no additional cost. RootsMagic genealogy software posts quite a bit of This means that if you change computers, or if you useful information in the support section of their web- have a desktop and a laptop, you do not have to buy a site, and you can contact them for technical support by second license. Every few years when they do a ma- telephone or email. When you purchase the software, it jor upgrade, the cost is $19.95. Most other companies also comes with a printed document called “Getting the charge full price and it seems like continued on 11 -10- HEAR YE HEAR YE Vol. 33, No.2 - Summer 2012 HEAR YE HEAR YE continued from 10 Writers Group they update every year. Smaller updates to the program are downloadable for free. Another plus is that the com- pany normally offers additional copies of RootsMagic Notice at Christmas time for $19.95 to their previous custom- ers who may wish to give their family and relatives a he Writers Group has changed the day for their copy for a holiday gift. Tmeetings to the first Thursday of the month. We RootsMagic offers a large selection of online tutori- will be meeting in the same location; the same room als in the form of webinars that cover most aspects of where CIG meets at the LDS Facility at 1400 Westfall their software. If you learn more easily by watching a Rd. Meetings begin at 7:00 P.M. and everyone is wel- demonstration or listening to someone teach, you will come. We do meet during the summer months. Meet- find this a most valuable feature. Even if you do not ings are an open forum and we are always interested in own the software, you can learn from these webinars. helping others solve their writing and publishing prob- Check them out at http://rootsmagic.com/Webinars/. lems. For more information about the Writers Group, You will never have to worry about not knowing how contact Nancy Merzke at [email protected]. to use your software. Remember the RGS member’s questions that inspired me to write this article? She and her husband purchased RootsMagic, transferred the files from their Editor’s Note: old program and watched the webinar on how to record your sources. She now reports that she and her husband aturday 11 August 2012 is the deadline for all sub- are delighted with their new found skill and confidence Smissions for the fall issue of the Hear Ye Hear Ye. when siting their sources. To explore the world of Please try to be early if possible. It’s never too early to RootsMagic, go to http://rootsmagic.com/ Even if you submit. are not in the market for new software, do check out their webinars. There is always something new to learn. 1940 US Census Indexing Project ost genealogists know by now that the 1940 US Fed- You will be downloading one census page at a time, 40 Meral Census has been released. You may have already lines of information that will take fifteen to twenty minutes explored this latest census looking for your ancestors or to complete. Once completed, you will be guided through perhaps even yourself. I am sure that your experience was a process to check your work and then asked to submit a little like stepping back in time to the old days before so the page. That’s it! You are able to preview each page you many of our records were indexed and available online. download. If you can’t read it, send it back. No questions How many hours did we spend searching for that elusive asked. Each page is indexed by two different people. Their record scrolling down page after page neck is aching and responses are electronically checked and any discrepan- eyes straining? Indexing certainly made our life so much cies are sent to an arbitrator for a final decision. Indexing is better. Now think how much easier life would be if the something you can do. Why not become part of our team? 1940 Census was indexed. You can make it happen! Join the 1940 US Census Community Project, a historic Many of your fellow members of the RGS have volun- national service project to preserve and share on line the teered to help index the census and we would like to wel- records of the “greatest generation”. You can make a differ- come you to our group. Online training is available. You ence by helping to transcribe the 1940 census records. Go can work at your own pace. You will begin by download- to
Rochester Genealogical Society, Inc. PO Box 10501, Rochester, NY 14610 Non-Profit Vol. 33, No. 2 —Summer 2012 U.S. Postage PAID Rochester, NY Permit No. 244
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RGS Officers and Activity Chairs through June 30, 2012
President Marian Henry Hear Ye Hear Ye Editor: Nancy Merzke First Vice President: Cherie Wood Hear Ye Hear Ye Desktop Publisher Jean Kohlhoff Second Vice President: Dennis Hogan Hospitality Committee: Marlene Bettin Recording Secretary: James Allen Gale Hermanet Corresponding Secretary: Robert Coomber Reception Committee: Joyce Mitchell Membership Secretary Kathryn Heintz Laurel Mitchell Treasurer: Ned Seachman Other Society Liaison: Sharon Burch Historian/Genealogist: Ed Groszewski NYSCOGO Liaison: Sharon Burch Past President: Roy Thurston DAR Liaison: Robbie Dreeson Education Committee: Lowell E. Salyards SAR Liaison: Stephan Clarke Publicity Committee: Barb Koehler Roch. Public Library Liaison: Larry Naukam Publications Committee: Debbie Barnes Family History Center Liaison: Carmen Bush Church Records Preservation Comm.: Larry Lavery Book Distribution: Carmen Bush Webmaster: Roger Heintz Tape Library: Vacant Hear Ye Hear Ye is published four times a year, in Please notify the membership chairperson if you Spring (March), Summer (June), Autumn (September) have moved. Because Bulk Rate is not forwarded, it and Winter (December) and is available electronically will cost RGS the price of a first class stamp for the or through the mail. Post Office to notify us of your new address. Hear Ye Hear Ye is mailed Bulk Rate. This takes lon- Meeting cancellations because of inclement weather ger to receive, but should not take longer than 10 days. will be announced on our website, RGS Voice Mail, If there is a problem please notify us. www.13wham.com and WHAM 1180 AM. RGS Website: http://www.nyrgs.org RGS Voice Mail: (585) 234-2584
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