“Where do you live?” An innocent enough question, but for a group of Cuban genealogists it was the genesis for the formation of the Cuban Genealogy Club of Miami, Florida (CGC). A common “meeting” place for Cuban genealogists, at that…
Florida’s First Families
The nation’s oldest city, St. Augustine, founded in 1565, is the hometown of Florida’s oldest families. Solana and Sanchez are the two surnames that have been documented in the state since the 1st Spanish Period. Alonso Solana arrived from San…
What Genealogy Software Should I Use?
This is a question asked often by those just starting out and those who’ve been at it a while and find limitations in their current software. The answer, as the great Judy Russell often says, “It depends.” While all genealogy…
Death by Undue Means: Coroners’ Records
From colonial times to today, death not attributable to natural causes required investigation. Elected or appointed coroners worked with local juries to determine more about what caused each death. Learn more about coroners’ records and how to use them in genealogy.
The Legal Genealogist Judy G. Russell is a genealogist with a law degree who writes and lectures on topics ranging from using court records in family history to understanding DNA testing. On the faculty of numerous genealogy institutes, she is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Board for Certification of Genealogists®, from which she holds credentials as a Certified Genealogist® and Certified Genealogical Lecturer℠.
America’s New Deal: The WPA’s Federal Project Number One
The Works Progress/Project Administration (WPA) carried out many public works projects; however, the smaller projects were just as effective. Federal Project Number One consisted of 5 separate divisions/projects (Federal Art Project, Federal Music Project, Federal Theatre Project, Federal Writers Project, and the Historical Records Survey) and contributed to the success of the WPA and to the employment record of the US. This presentation will provide information on each division/project and their contributions; however, the focus will mainly be on the last two – the Federal Writers Project and the Historical Records Survey and some of the publications and inventories they created.
C. Ann Staley, CG, CGL, is an educator, consultant, and co-leader of Ann-Mar Genealogy Trips. She is the Education Chair for the Jacksonville Genealogical Society, Inc.; the Vice President of the Genealogical Speakers Guild; on the faculty of The National Institute for Genealogical Studies; and a Director of the Florida State Genealogical Society.
Organize Your Genealogy
It’s the lazy, hazy days of summer and with that comes time to… organize your genealogy! Here in Florida, it’s hot and while you’re inside soaking up the A/C, put some of these tips and tricks to work, organizing your…
Using Non-Population Schedules for Context and Evidence
Every 10 years the US Federal Government gathers data to apportion the House of Representatives. You may not know that in the 1800s, they also gathered statistical information related to business and industries, communities, agriculture, mortality and assessment of the insane, physically handicapped and those individuals in prison. Some of these schedules will provide you with evidence, while others provide context interpretation of other pieces of evidence is bolstered and your family history enlivened. Using examples of each, learn how these schedules can help, why they were established and where they can be found.
Jill Morelli lectures and writes on genealogical topics that often transcend the more narrowly defined family history. She provides general genealogy services and house histories in the Puget Sound and national venues.
Preservation Projects by Florida Genealogical Societies
In honor of National Preservation Month, the FSGS polled our local genealogical societies to see what efforts are being made to preserve Florida records on the community level. The response was outstanding, and we thank all those societies that responded…
DNA Utilities and Tools
Below is a list of DNA testing sites available and genetic genealogy utilities and tools to use once you’ve completed your testing. Check out our list of education blogs and webinars. Is your favorite blog or book missing? Email us!…
DNA Blogs, Books, and Social Media
Every year, since 2003, National DNA Day is officially celebrated on April 25th. According to the National Human Genome Research Institute states, “National DNA Day commemorates the successful completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003 and the discovery of…