The Genealogy Gems Podcast with Lisa Louise Cooke - Your Family History Show

Published Dec 10, 2007 SHOW NOTES Exclusive Kodak Gallery Discount: 20% OFF Photo books, Calendars & Cards through Dec. 11, 2007! Go to the Genealogy Gems Store for more information and to find the link to Kodak Gallery. Got an iTunes Account? If you're enjoying the podcast, I'd appreciate it if you left a 5 Star positive review at the Genealogy Gems iTunes page. This link will take you there: Genealogy Gems at iTunes. Thanks! NEW: The Book Has Gone Digital! Genealogy Gems: Ultimate Research Strategies is now out of print. GEM: U.S. Passport Applications on Ancestry.comMy Genealogy Gems News Blog from December 5, 2007 continued...Not wanting to leave the database empty handed, I decided to search for some of my favorite Hollywood film stars: Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. Lesson 1: Be sure when you are searching the database to click the NEXT button and check the backside of the application page for a photo. Douglas Fairbanks & Mary Pickford Passport Photos Lesson #2: If your ancestors were servants or employees of those that may have traveled, it would be worth searching for those employers. GEM: The History of Sound RecordingsYou know the invention of sound recording was quite a milestone in genealogy if you think about it. Never before had we had documentation of our ancestors voices. There is certainly something very special about hearing not just the words, but the tone, and inflections. Well, all of this sound recording was made possible by Thomas Edison, who 130 years ago this week . University of California, Santa Barbara Book: Innovate Like EdisonA new book by Edison's Great Grand-niece Sarah Miller Caldicott and Michael Gelb. The Life of Thomas A. Edison at the Library of Congress Recorded Sound Reference Center at the Library of Congress LISA'S 10 GOLDEN RULES for making your own family history sound recordings. #1 Get a reliable and affordable method of digital recording. Free recording/editing software: Audacity For portable recording you could use a handheld digital recorder, but I like to use my iPod with the Micro Memo Digital Voice Recorder Using your iPod as a Family History Tool from Episode 22 of the Genealogy Gems Podcast. #2 Make A List of Those You Would Like to Interview #3 Prepare Your Questions Ahead of Time #4 Keep The Interview Relaxed And Comfortable. #5 Don't Worry About Getting Everything The First Time #6 Respect the interviewees wishes #7 Take The Time To Edit #8 Make Cataloguing A Priority #9 Get Written Permission If You Plan On Sharing The Recording #10 Follow up with a thank you

Published Nov 30, 2007 Episode 35 Show Notes Genealogy Gems News Blog "What's in a Name?" "Like" The Genealogy Gems Facebook page. Check out the genealogy quizzes at FunTrivia.com YAHOOOOO - there's a genealogy gal on the Genealogy Gems Listener page! Beth Green answered my call on Episode 30 and emailed a Simpsonized Version of herself. GEM: A Little Help From Your FriendsMy Top Three Tips for Tapping into the Strengths of Others: Tip #1 Swap brick walls Try swapping brick walls with another researcher and look them over with a fresh pair of eyes. I like to think of it as being a cold case detective. Someone who pulls out an old file and goes over it with a fine tooth comb to see if anything's been missed. Tip #2 - Assess your weaknessesLook honestly at your office and your research and make a list of areas where you could improve. Then set out to find someone in your local genealogical society who has a strength in that area. Tip # 3 - Two heads are better than oneTry working alongside a fellow genealogist. Two heads are always better than one, and having someone that you can share the journey with is a wonderful thing. There are over 500 genealogy groups on Facebook alone! Or try one of the new genealogy social networking sites that have been popping up lately. GEM: The Library of Congress Webcasts:Jewish Washington: Scrapbook of an American CommunityPresented by Laura Cohen Appelbaum and Wendy Turman of the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington. Library's Map Treasures are Highlighted in "Cartographia a book and presentation by Vincent Virga GEM: Genealogy through the Looking Glass I've enjoyed using children's books for many years to become acquainted with new and sometimes complex subjects. They are little gems just waiting to help you take on a new area of genealogical research. For instance, does the subject of DNA still seem a bit foggy to you? Try "Genes & DNA" by Richard Walker, and "DNA is Here to Stay" by Fran Balkwill. "Coming to Canada: Building a new life in a new land" by Susan Hughes is a great first timers introduction to the subject. The Irish Potato Famine: Irish Immigrants Come to America (1845-1850) by Jeremy Thornton . "Feed the Children First: Irish memories of the Great Hunger" edited by Mary E. Lyons. (Disclosure: As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting the free Genealogy Gems Podcast) Juvenile Books can also be a great quick resource for the history of states and countries that you are unfamiliar with and have just discovered your ancestors spent time in. So when you stumble into new territory, try taking a child's eye view and perhaps a child's curiousity as you approach the situation. GEM: Now for a little Pixie DustUpdate: iGoogle has been discontinued. Free monthly Genealogy Gems Newsletter

Published Nov 18, 2007 EPISODE 34 SHOW NOTES: Genealogy Gems News Blog New videos for you at the Genealogy Gems website: Genealogy for the next generation: "Family History Research - Child Detectives"Genealogy Junction Getting started documents for free download "Family Tree" & "Circle of Life" by Venice. A very moving video highlighting a collection of photographs at the Library of Congress' American Memory collection taken by Lewis Hines of child labor in the early 19th century. MAILBOX: Wreath by creative podcast listener Linda Kvist, Sweden "The Emigrants" movie review Create your own Family History Christmas Wreath by watching the 4 part video how-to series An email from Beverly Shaw : (my apology to Beverly - I mistakenly credited her email to Barbara Murphy in the show & didn't catch the error in time) "I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciated your Candy Bar idea. Last month my husband's family had a reunion to honor his mother who passed away last year. I created candy bars for the reunion using your idea. Since Momma was an avid crocheter, I found a background of a crocheted doily and added 2 different photos that fit the theme. I designed it so that I could fit 2 on each 8 1/2 x 11 sheet and printed a master copy. I then took my master to Office Max and had them make 50 copies. After wrapping a mixture of Hershey Milk Chocolate Bars and Hershey Milk Chocolate with Almond Bars, I filled a basket with the 100 Candy Bars, tied a bow on the basket handle and they were given out as mementos. I am attaching a picture of the filled basket. Thank you again. I received many complements." If you're looking for stocking stuffer ideas, there's still plenty of time to make the Sweet Memories candy bars. Beverly Shaw's beautiful Swee Memories candy bars From Barbara Murphy: The German, Irish and Italian groups of the genealogy societies on Long Island have put together new genealogy databases online. www.theggg.org and www.italiangen.org Follow up on Google Gadgets: iGoogle has been discontinued. GEM: A Thanksgiving Celebration Thanksgiving at the Library of Congress What Shall the Harvest Be? Sowing the seed by the daylight fair, Sowing the seed by the noonday glare, Sowing the seed by the fading light, Sowing the seed in the solemn night: O what shall the harvest be? Refrain Sown in the darkness or sown in the light, Sown in our weakness or sown in our might, Gathered in time or eternity, Sure, ah, sure will the harvest be. Sowing the seed by the wayside high, Sowing the seed on the rocks to die. Sowing the seed where the thorns will spoil, Sowing the seed in the fertile soil: O what shall the harvest be? courtesy of the University of California, Santa Barbara Sarah Josepha Hale "OUR NATIONAL THANKSGIVING by Sarah Josepha Hale We are most happy to agree with the large majority of the governors of the different States -- as shown in their unanimity of action for several past years, and which, we hope, will this year be adopted by all -- that the LAST THURSDAY IN NOVEMBER shall be the DAY Of NATIONAL THANKSGIVING for the American people." Sign up for the free Genealogy Gems E-mail Newletter

Published Nov 11, 2007 Episode 33 Show Notes The New Genealogy Gems News Blog Newsletter: Subscribe to the free monthly Genealogy Gems email newsletter iGoogle: Update: iGoogle has been discontinued Upcoming Conference Appearance: FamilySearch and My Ancestors Found have just announced that they are co-sponsoring the Family History EXPO at the Dixie Convention Center in St. George UT on Feb. 8 & 9 2008. I'm very excited to let you know that I'll be teaching a class on how to use Google for your family history research. GEM: This old dog learned a new trick or how I got in touch with my own podcast:Update: iGoogle has been discontinued. The easiest way to subscribe and listen to all the past and new podcast episodes is now through the Genealogy Gems app GEM: Google Gadget for American Memory: Although iGoogle has been discontinued, the American Memory Project is still thriving and can be visited at https://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html GEM: Genealogy Podfading:I really appreciate your partnering with me to keep the Genealogy Gems Podcast from podfading as so many others have done. Christmas is a great time to lend your support. Our sponsors are established, trusted and secure, and your information is ALWAYS private. Thank you friends! GEM: Silhouettes by Kathryn Flocken: Here's another little blast from the past gem in Episode 6. I got an email from Kathryn recently which included a really neat short video about the silhouette work that she does: Video: Kathryn Flockens Paper Portraits webpage Silhouette of genealogy podcaster Lisa Louise Cooke by Kathryn Flocken GEM: History of the Census and Its Samples:There are 2 areas to explore: Measuring America: The Decennial Censuses from 1790-2000It contains a record of all census questions, enumerators instructions, and brief histories of every census. And... Histories of Enumeration Procedures for Each Census: The procedural histories provide detailed information on the collection and processing of each item on the questionnaire. You will learn how enumerators were selected, how they were trained and supervised, and how the public was prepared for the census takerâs visit. I hope you're busily working on your Family History Christmas Wreath from episode 32. There are 4 videos there on the website to walk you through how to do that. Have fun!

Published Nov 4, 2007 Episode 32 Show Notes Listener Mailbox, and Invite Your Ancestors to Christmas! DearMYRTLE Website Episode 27 The Mailbox: Email From Dave Green: "Attached (is) a find on ebay. I hadn't thought to look there for family mementos. I typed in the tiny town of Fiat, IN and it came back with a matchbook from the store my grandparents had owned there! Thanks for the valuable gem." Email from Judy in Memphis: Hi, Lisa, a few weeks ago I contacted you and said I was going to do the Sweet Memories candy bars this Christmas. I thought you would enjoy seeing how they turned out! I have only actually put the candy in two to try it out but will wait until closer to Christmas so the candy will be fresh. I used the 3.5 oz Dove Bars, dark chocolate. I will send them to 47 people in the family who will enjoy the candy and hopefully the memories. The front says: "In Memory of Daddy, (Kenneth) who gave us our love of chocolate and Mother (Mildred) who made all those wonderful desserts. Love, Judy." The three children on the front are my two sisters and me at Christmas about 1946. The picture on the back is of the same children and our parents, about 1960. I hope they enjoy this little gift. Thanks so much for the idea. Again, I love the podcast and have gotten a lot of useful information. You make it really fun. GEM: Invite Your Ancestors to Christmas - Create A Family History Christmas Wreath Joy to the World Edison Records 1906 This week, I"m very please to be publishing my first Christmas project instructional video sharing with you how to create your own family history Christmas Wreath. This wreath is so beautiful, and I'm really excited to have found a way to incorporate more wonderful family photos into our holiday decorations. I've done my best to give you step by step instructions so that you can make your wreath right along with me. Watch the four part video which in total runs about 35 minutes - Here's an example: Part 1 I really hope that you will take the time to create this lovely wreath. I had so much fun making it, and I've already gotten oos and ahs from people who have seen it. I guarantee if you invest your love and time into making it, it will be appreciated by everyone who sees it. And I would love to see your finished projects! So email me a photo as Judy from Memphis did with her Christmas candy bars. It would be inspiration for us all!

Published Oct 28, 2007 EPISODE 31 SHOW NOTES Genealogy Gems: Ultimate Research Strategies. The book has been discontinued . A special little Halloween hello from Genealogy Gems. Update: iGoogle has been discontinued. The website is evolving every day with new content, so be sure and visit regularly at www.genealogygems.com Be sure to click on the Google Research Gems Link. And you'll also find lots of other great tips that we've talked about to make Google work harder for your genealogy research. Please do let your research friends and your local genealogy society know about it as a resource for them too, even if they don't listen to the podcast. Gem: The Library of Congress The Irish Jig performed by the National Promenade Band in 1914 for Edison Records AMERICAN MEMORY American Memory provides free and open access through the Internet to over 9 million items of written and spoken words, sound recordings, still and moving images, prints, maps, and sheet music that document the American experience. These materials chronicle historical events, people, places, and ideas that continue to shape America. Browse American Memory Advertising 1850-1920 Architecture and Interior Design 1935-1955 Baseball Cards 1887-1914 Broadsides and Printed Ephemera 1600-2000 Chicago Daily News - Photographs 1902-1933 7 different Civil War collections with many, many photographs Daguerreotype Photographs 1839-1864 Depression Era to World War II FSA/OWI Photographs 1935-1945 Film, Animated 1900-1921 There are several Folk Music Collections Great Plains Photographs 1880-1920 Maps and Cartographic Items 1500-Present New York City Films 1898-1906 Nineteenth-Century Books 1850-1877 Nineteenth-Century Periodicals 1815-1900 Ohio River Valley 1750-1820 Panoramic Photographs 1851-1991 Pearl Harbor and Public Reactions Audio Interviews 1941-1942 Posters, WPA 1936-1943 Prairie Settlement, Nebraska Photographs and Letters 1862-1912 Railroads Maps 1828-1900 Revolutionary Era Maps 1750-1789 San Francisco and 1906 Earthquake Films 1897-1916 Sheet Music 1820-1860 & 1870-1885 Slave Narratives Audio Interviews 1932-1975 Small Town Life, Mid-Atlantic Stereoscopic Photographs ~ 1850-1920 Southern U.S. Personal Narratives 1860-1920 Traveling in America Books ca. 1750-1920 Turn-of-the-Century America Detroit Publishing Company Photographs 1880-1920 Upper Midwest Books ca. 1820-1910 Utah and Western Migration 1846-1869 American Variety Stage - Vaudeville 1870-1920 Western U.S. Photographs 1860-1920 World War I Military Newspapers 1918-1919 World War I Rotogravures 1914-1919 World War II Maps Military Situation Maps 1944-1945 Some of my other favorite areas of the Collections and Programs are: The VETERANS HISTORY PROJECT The NATIONAL DIGITAL NEWSPAPER PROGRAM CHRONICALING AMERICA â HISTORIC AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS The PRINTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS ONLINE CATALOG Prints & Photos LOC online database: 20s Fads Ellis Island prints & photos WWII women working Civil War Soldiers Entertainment Americana LOC WEBCASTS Start by browsing the Biography and History listings. The library website also offers RSS feeds and email Subscriptions on a variety of subjects. The future: the library just signed a World Digital Library Agreement with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization pledging cooperative efforts to build a World Digital Library website. World Digital Library at the Worlddigitallibrary.org. GEM: Genealogy for the Next Generation To get the attention of the next generation for genealogy I Simposonized myself. Simpsonize Me is no longer available.

SHOW NOTES for Episode 30 Published October 21, 2007 Website News: New this week you will find a search box on the left side of the Genealogy Gems homepage under the navigation menu. I hope that you will use it and find it helpful in getting to where you want to go. GEM: Interview with Ali Selim, Director of Sweet Land? In episode 29 I told you about a wonderful movie that I saw recently called Sweet Land. It's a film about Norwegian immigrants in rural Minnesota following WWI. I feel so passionate about it not only because it's about family history, but because it's such a rare thing to find a gem like this that you can watch with your entire family. Ali's Grandparents William and Sophie Niemeier of Minnesota. This week I had a chance to talk to Ali Selim, award-winning director of Sweet Land, and we chatted about his immigrant parents, the power of memories and some of the terrific actors that he features in the film. Ali Selim, Director When you're done listening to the audio podcast, you can watch the Videocast below. Just double click on the Play button. More "SWEET LAND" film clips

Published Oct 7, 2007 Episode 29 SHOW NOTES GEM: Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation I had the opportunity to talk with Anna Swayne of the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation recently. Listen as we walk through this emerging area of genealogy step-by-step and get a solid overview of how DNA testing can assist us in our family history research. Suggested Reading: Trace Your Roots with DNA: Use Your DNA to Complete Your Family Tree Megan Smolenyak & Ann Turner DNA & Genealogy by Colleen Fitzpatrick USA TODAY article - SMGF's founder, James LeVoy Sorenson, was featured in a USA Today article in June. The article focuses on Mr. Sorenson's work in genetic genealogy as well as his other companies. Sign up for the free Genealogy Gems Newsletter Check out what's new at the Genealogy Gems Website Get Lisa's new book: Genealogy Gems: Ultimate Research Strategies is out of print. Visit the Genealogy Gems store for her latest books.

Published Oct 2, 2007 Episode 28 Show Notes The first Genealogy Gems videocast was published last week: The Socks to America. Also available in the Genealogy Gems app. Subscribe to the FREE Genealogy Gems Podcast Newsletter! Logitech WebcamNot only can you send video emails super quick and easy, but you can select one of their animated characters that you supply the voice for. Anytime you access Amazon through the links on my website and purchase any item on the Amazon site, you are supporting this podcast which I really appreciate! Thanks to you guys I was able this week to double my podcast storage space which means I can create longer podcasts and also publish videocasts for you. I hope you'll keep this in mind as we approach the holidays and you start doing your Christmas shopping. It's because of you that the Genealogy Gems Podcast, website and videocasts are possible. Thank you! GEM: GENEALOGY "COLD CALLS? My Lady of the Telephone was performed by Joseph A. Phillips and chorus for Edison Records in 1915 Interview with Carolyn Ender from Texas who has conducted dozens of cold call research calls. 1) Identify the person you want to call 2) Locate the Person's Phone Number Anywho.com People.yahoo.com Google.com 3) Plan ahead Consider recording the conversation Consider getting a hands free phone Consider time zones. Choose a time when you are not rushed Briefly review the family you are researching Make note of specific questions you would like to ask. Have your genealogy software program open 4) Get up the "nerve" to call - Be prepared. Say to yourself: "I can do this. This is important." Remember, all they can do is say "no thank you." 5) Introduce Yourself - Immediately identify yourself with first & last name & town. Indicate any family connection. Indicate who referred you to them. 6) Where to Begin - Talk about the family line you are researching Explain how you thought you might be related. 7) Reluctant Relatives - Share what youâve learned. Share your own memories of a shared relative. Mention something of particular interest in the family tree that might pique their interest. Offer to mail them some information and call again once theyâve had a chance to look at it. 8) During the Call - Take notes during the phone call. Confirm information that you already have 9) When There's No Answer - Leave a voice mail your name, number, why you are calling, & offer to call back. 10) Must Ask? Questions Mailing address Their birth date Family photos, bible, documents? Copies only of course! Can I keep in touch? Can you suggest anyone else I might contact? 11) Wrapping up the call - Thank them for their time. Ask for email address. Offer to give them your address and phone number. 12) Create Documentation Be sure to include the person's name, address, phone number and date of conversation. 13) Enter data into your genealogy database - This is a must. Do it right away while it's on your mind 14) Create a To Do List - Go through the notes you typed with a highlighter pen to mark items you will want to research further. 15) Follow-up Thank you card Birthday cards & Christmas card Follow up calls GEM: Sweet Land

The First Genealogy Gems Videocast: The Socks to America.(click POD icon at left or the mp4 file at end of this posting to view.Please allow a few extra moments video file to load) This is the documentary spoof (or should I say "sockumentary") video about the immigration of the fictitious Sockish-Americans. Currently featured on Roots Television, the video is now available for FREE download onto your video ipod exclusively with this unique video podcast. Now you can "Sock It To Yourself" anytime you like! Due to the Socks huge popularity, I'm pleased to offer Socks mugs & posters, which are only available through the Genealogy Gems Cafepress Store. The Socks to America Mugs: Immigration Story & I'm A Genealogist (Caution: Don't drink & watch the video at the same time as you will be in danger of laughing which causes spitting!) And the Poster...