Wikis are exciting tools to provide information. The concept behind them is that “we are smarter than me.” In other words, no one person can know everything about any subject. There is always someone who knows additional details about any subject that can be named. If we could combine our accumulated knowledge and make it available to others, we would all be better for it.
Certainly, that is true in the field of family history. With 50 states and over 3,000 counties or county-equivalents in the United States alone, no one person can ever hope to personally know all of the details about the records and research tools available for all of those localities. Add to that all of the countries of the world and their respective jurisdictions and the problem only grows. And each of those jurisdictions are responsible for many different types of records and documents. No wonder researchers have difficulty knowing about all the records that are available to them.
But now a research wiki is available to help us. It is the Research Wiki provided to the world, free of charge, by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At the present time, the Research Wiki has nearly 60,000 pages of information about the records of the world, their content, availability, and importance to family history researchers. This tool is a growing, dynamic source of information, with new pages being added daily. Links to sources of information are also included, as well as addresses and descriptions of records depositories where documents may be found.
Visit the Research Wiki at wiki.familysearch.org for valuable research information. And if you have knowledge or records, indexes, websites, or other helpful research tools, share your knowledge with others by contributing to the Research Wiki.
The above is from Family History Expos, Inc. website
Barbara Algaze
JGSLA Librarian
This is a great site for World War II research.
Check it out.
Ever dream of a genealogical search companion? JewishGen is offering an Independent Study class. Your topic, your schedule, your questions. Nancy Holden will be available July 29 – August 26 for projects centered on research in the United States , Canada or the Pale of Russia (Latvia to Southern Russia). This session will follow the format of other JewishGen Education classes using a Forum and one-on-one consultations via the internet.
The level of your knowledge, and the Family you decide to research is not an issue. However, in order to qualify for this class we ask that you submit a paragraph about your project: your research SURNAME, your research towns, your research goals. This will be a Do-it-Yourself, computer-based, online seminar. Individual readings will be posted according to your research needs. To get the most out of this course, you will need 8-10 hours a week and commit to posting to the forum as work on your project. Is this course right for you? This is beyond the basics. Read the course descriptions www.jewishgen.org/education to see if what you want to do is covered by a course already being taught. If not, this may be the perfect class.
Students should be comfortable on the internet and able to upload and download PDFs, images and Microwoft Word documents. Enrollment is limited. Please send your qualifying paragraph to nholden@interserv.com any time after July 15, 2011 for consideration. Students will be notified of enrollment procedures by email. Charge: $100 to be paid after acceptance to the class Nancy Holden nholden@interserv.com
In an attempt to better serve their patrons, the folks at the Los Angeles Family History Library are offering free genealogy classes on Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Below you will find the schedule for the next four weeks. Check them out: there may be some classes that interest you.
Sat May 7
| 11:00 – 12:00 |
Coming to America – Immigration Research |
Barbara Algaze |
| 12:00 – 1:00 |
Finding Italian Ancestors 1.0 |
Dixon Hyde |
| 1:00 – 2:30 |
How do I start? Beginning Genealogy 1.1 |
Arnold Schwartz |
| 2:30 – 3:00 |
LAB for above class |
tba |
| 3:00 – 3:30 |
Computer Skills |
Carmen Wise |
Sat May 14
| 11:00 – 12:30 |
Obituaries Can Launch Your Research |
Luanna Gilstrap |
| 12:30 – 1:00 |
LAB for above class |
|
| 1:00 – 2:30 |
How do I start? Beginning Genealogy 1.2 |
Arnold Schwartz |
| 2:30 – 3:00 |
LAB for above class |
|
| 1:00 – 2:30 |
African American Research |
Charles Meigs |
| 2:30 – 4:00 |
Cherokee Genealogy |
Charles Meigs |
Sat May 21
| 12:00 – 1:00 |
Finding Italian Ancestors 1.2 |
Dixon Hyde |
| 1:00 – 2:30 |
How do I continue? Beginning Genealogy 1.3 |
Arnold Schwartz |
| 2:30 – 3:00 |
LAB for above class |
|
| 3:00 – 3:30 |
Computer Skills |
Carmen Wise |
Sat May 28
| 1:00 – 2:30 |
How do I find more? Beginning Genealogy 1.4 |
Arnold Schwartz |
| 2:30 – 3:00 |
LAB for above class |
|
The classes are subject to change and addition, so it would be a good idea to call ahead at (310) 474 – 9990 or check their website at http://www.lafhl.org/ before you make the trip. All are welcome at these classes. You can also check out the future schedule of classes at their website at: http://www.lafhl.org/satclass.htm