7 Reasons to Register for Research: House and Farm Histories

Bush House, Grove Hill, Clarke County, Alabama By Altairisfar – Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5290438

By Sandy Fackler, PLCGS (student)

Have you noticed that the covers of genealogy magazines use teasers to get you to look inside them? Titles like “Three tips to tear down your brick wall” or “Four ways to become a better genealogist.” Not to be outdone, I’m offering seven reasons for you to take Research: House and Family Histories.

Reason 1. You’ll learn architectural styles. Do you know which style has a mansard roof? Can you tell the difference between French Colonial, Southern Colonial, New England Colonial, Spanish Colonial, and Dutch Colonial? These and others are detailed in this course.

Reason 2. You’ll learn about the companies who sold mail order homes. We’ve all heard about Sears homes, but did you know other companies sold them as well? Do you know which American company sold mail order homes in Australia, England, and other countries?

Reason 3. You’ll learn which farm buildings were sold by mail and the companies that manufactured them. Do you know there are different styles of barns?

Reason 4. You’ll learn the definition of farmer was not static. How many times do you think the definition has changed between 1850 and 1974? For what purpose was it changed?

Reason 5. You’ll learn that a farm could be included in another census schedule besides agricultural. Do you know which one? What information does an agricultural census contain?

Reason 6. You’ll learn the sources you’ll need to research and the information they contain to do a house or farm history. Do you know what an abstract of title is or how it can help in your research? Do you know what a mechanic’s lien is or if you need to check for one when you do a house history?

Reason 7. You’ll learn about centennial farms and the requirements to become one. Do they have centennial farms in your state? If you live on a farm does your farm qualify?

Whether you want to research your own house or farm, do house and farm histories for clients, or write newspaper articles about your town’s homes, Research: House and Farm Histories can add to your education and for professional genealogists, can provide the basis for another income-producing stream for your business.

Research: House and Farm Histories is a six-module intermediate level course and is required if you’re pursuing a Professional Development Certificate from the National Institute for Genealogical Studies. The next course begins June 4, 2018.

Sandy Fackler, PLCGS, holds certificates in American Records, Irish Records, and Methodology from the National Institute for Genealogical Studies. Her favorite source is old newspapers and she spends her free time reading and transcribing them. She is currently researching her third great uncle (a sideshow performer) and several local history stories.

Incorporating Social History Into Family History

Soldiers in formation on the grounds of Camp Sherman. NPS Photo. https://www.nps.gov/articles/camp-sherman-ohio.htm

By Sandy Fackler, PLCGS (student)

When I first started doing genealogy I collected names, dates, and places. I was a genealogist. Years later I became a family historian. Besides those names, dates and places, I wanted to know the what, when, where, and how. I needed the meat on the bones.

The transition was not a deliberate course of action. I think it started because of my paternal grandfather. He died three years before I was born. My father was raised by his maternal grandparents and he couldn’t tell me much about him. I set out to find more about my grandfather.

One of the first things I learned about him was that he was in World War I. He didn’t see active duty but he graduated from the Cooks and Bakers School at a nearby training camp. That led to information on his training at the camp.

The search was on.

I read every newspaper in the town nearest the camp from February 1917 through the end of the camp’s life plus the camp’s newspapers. I read every publication on the camp both government issued and commercial, as well as journal and magazine articles. I bought photos, negatives, letters, postcards, training materials, and maps of the camp. I even sought out artifacts, such as teaspoons and salt & pepper souvenirs. I know all the churches and YMCAs, the locations of barracks, buildings and streets, and their names. I know about the sports and training activities. Even today, 40+ years after starting that research, I still search for information.

One of several YMCAs on the grounds of Camp Sherman. NPS Photo. https://www.nps.gov/hocu/learn/historyculture/camp-sherman.htm

By doing the research on the camp, I can put together a day-by-day account of what life may have been like for my grandfather for the 141 days he was there.

What does this have to do with Social History? Social History is defined as “the environmental history of an individual.”[i]

The National Institute for Genealogical Studies course, Research: Social History written by Barbara J. Starmans, takes you through every aspect of an individual’s life and provides the resources to do so. Each module has a case study to inspire you. Check out the topics covered by skimming the table of contents here on The National Institute’s website.

Research: Social History is offered once a quarter and the next start date is May 7, 2018. If you have a favorite relative you want to know more about, I recommend Research: Social History. I believe if you take this course and use the resources and techniques or the case studies as examples, you can learn how to put the meat on the bones of your ancestors. You’ll enjoy doing social history and it will be one of your favorite courses.

___________________________

[i] Merriam-Webster Dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20history Accessed April 2, 2018

Sandy Fackler, PLCGS, holds Certificates in American Records, Irish Records, and Methodology from the National Institute for Genealogical Studies. Her favorite source is old newspapers and spends her free time reading and transcribing them. She is currently researching her third great uncle (a sideshow performer) and several local history stories.

The Most Interesting Course I’ve Taken : Photography: Clues Pictures Hold, Editing, Digitizing and Various Projects

Carte de visite of George W. Fackler, 2nd great grandfather of Sandy Fackler. Probably taken between 25 September 1865 and 27 December 1868. Courtesy of Sandy Fackler.

By Sandy Fackler, PLCGS. Student.

I knew little about the aspects of photography when I registered for Photography: Clues Pictures Hold, Editing, Digitizing and Various Projects in December. Now, I want to recommend this course to anyone who has a collection of old or recent photographs because I believe you’ll learn at least 3 things to help you whether it is how to digitize your photos, how to identify people through facial characteristics, or how to identify when or where a photo was taken.

While I’ve scanned photos before, I hate to admit I was unaware I could scan at different dots per inch (dpi) or that my scanner would do so. Now I plan to re-scan many of my old photos to see if I can improve the images. This course also provides tips on organizing photos on a computer so I will do that as I scan.

Cabinet card of Alonzo Hiwanda, aka George F. Day, 3rd great uncle of Sandy Fackler. The names of the gentlemen on the barrel are unknown. Date unknown but probably in 1890s. Courtesy of Sandy Fackler.

I’ve purchased a cabinet card and cartes de visite of my ancestors through eBay. The cabinet card and many of the CDVs are of a circus sideshow performer. I learned about backdrops and that they were individually hand-painted by local artists. Can I find other CDVs with the same background and learn where my CDVs were taken? If so, this might lead to identifying the name of the circus he performed with.

I also have a group photo of men and women possibly taken in the 1890s-1920s. No one is identified. Using information in this course I can try to narrow the time frame through their clothes, hairstyles, and by facial comparison and analysis. Each of these topics is included along with photos for comparison.

One other thing I learned that might help. If I have a photo and can’t identify the person, I might be able to find a written description of potential candidates. Descriptions are found in World War I draft cards, World War II draft registration cars, military records, newspaper articles, and criminal records.

All in all, this was one of the most interesting courses I’ve taken. I’ve learned a lot and if you take this course I believe you will too.

Photography: Clues Pictures Hold, Editing, Digitizing and Various Projects contains eight modules. You can register now for the next class which starts April 2, 2018. For more information on this course and the table of contents, see The National Institute website .

* * * * * *

Sandy Fackler, PLCGS, graduated from the National Institute for Genealogical Studies in April 2013 and holds Certificates in American Records, Irish Records, and Methodology. She is a member of the National Genealogical Society, the Ohio Genealogical Society, the Association of Professional Genealogists, and many local societies. Her favorite source is old newspapers and spends her free time reading them. She is currently researching her third great uncle (the sideshow performer), her English Quaker ancestors, and several local history stories.

New Eastern European Records Certificate

The National Institute for Genealogical Studies Announces a New Eastern European Records Certificate

Features Courses Written by Lisa Alzo, MFA

For Immediate Release

27 February 2018

The National Institute for Genealogical Studies is proud to announce a new addition to our Certificate Programs. The Eastern European Records Certificate features courses in researching various records and repositories in Eastern Europe.

Course author and genealogy professional, Lisa Alzo, MFA says of researching Eastern European ancestors, “A vast number of immigrants came to the United States and Canada from various areas in Central and Eastern Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Unfortunately, in the past, those with Eastern European roots have been reticent to begin research on their immigrant ancestors due to perceived barriers of language, geography, and difficulty with accessing and understanding the records. With the popularity of DNA testing, more people are discovering they have Eastern European ancestry and have a desire to know more. As more records become accessible with each passing year, it has never been easier to consolidate known facts with newly discovered information.”

Courses in this new certificate program include:

Eastern European: Locating Places in Eastern Europe
Eastern European: Understanding Migration Patterns
Eastern European: The Languages and Alphabets
Eastern European: Chronological Considerations: The Austro-Hungarian Empire
Eastern European: Civil Registration Records
Eastern European: Church Records
Eastern European: Other Records (Tax, Military, Land, Census)
Eastern European: Record Repositories
Eastern European: Onsite Research in the Ancestral Homeland
Eastern European: Problem Solving

Other courses offered include research, records, and repositories in individual Eastern European countries and regions.

The certificate in Eastern European Records will provide in-depth instruction for genealogists with roots in many countries where research was difficult, if not impossible, just a decade ago.

“We are excited to announce the creation of this new certificate program focusing on Eastern Europe. Researchers will find these courses to be an important addition to expanding their knowledge about the region and records,” remarked National Institute’s Managing Director Louise St Denis.

The Eastern European Records Certificate description and links to courses can be found on The National Institute’s website at http://www.genealogicalstudies.com/eng/courses.asp?certificateID=25. Courses are continually being added to this certificate program.

In conjunction with the RootsTech conference, The National Institute is offering a 20% discount off any Eastern European course package. To register for a course package, use code 20RT18EE at checkout. Eastern European course packages can be viewed on The National Institute’s website at http://www.genealogicalstudies.com/eng/packages.asp.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR GENEALOGICAL STUDIES

The National Institute for Genealogical Studies, leaders in online genealogy education, has been offering genealogy and history courses for 20 years. Over 200 courses in genealogical studies are offered to help enhance researcher’s skills.

For those looking to acquire more formal educational training, The National Institute offers Certificate Programs in the records of Australia, Canada, England, Germany, Ireland, Eastern Europe and the United States, as well as a General Methodology, Professional Development and Librarianship Certificate Program. For more information please call us toll-free in North America at 1-800-580-0165 or email us at admin@genealogicalstudies.com.

For more information:

Louise St Denis

www.genealogicalstudies.com

admin@genealogicalstudies.com

1-800-580-0165 (North American)

416-861-0165 (International)

Skype: louisestd

New Course: Genealogy Ethical Guidelines & Standards

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

We have just released a new course that is applicable to all genealogists, Genealogy Ethical Guidelines & Standards.

Whether you are a hobby genealogist, society member, serious researcher, or a professional genealogist, ethics affect your work. Adherence to ethical standards as they apply to your research and your interactions with others should be of concern to all researchers. Genealogists are faced with diverse ethical decisions in their research including black sheep ancestors, adoption, non-paternal events, and revealing family secrets. This course begins by looking at what is ethics in genealogy, the history of genealogical ethics and then continues by exploring ethical considerations when sharing your genealogy online and in print, DNA testing, and while visiting libraries and archives. Ethical standards for professionals are also explored including interacting with clients and the public.