Ancestry.com Launches Complete Scotland Census Collection, 1841-1901

NOTE from DearMYRTLE: The following news release was just received concerning Ancestry.com. All inquiries should be addressed to: support@ancestry.com

Forget Bagpipes and Kilts - Add Cars, Steel, Telephones, Magazines and 'The Apprentice' to the List of Scotland's Influence on the United States

PROVO, Utah, April 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Ancestry.com, the world's largest online resource for family history, today revealed the Scottish ancestral roots of five of the biggest names in U.S. business. Trump, Carnegie, Bell, Forbes and Buick all hail from Scotland, as researchers discovered from the more than 24 million names in the newly completed Scotland Census Collection on Ancestry.com.

* Donald Trump: The Donald's mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, was born in a
small fishing village on Scotland's Isle of Lewis -- home to
generations of the MacLeod family. The 1891 Scotland census captures
Mary Anne's 24-year-old father, Malcolm, working as a fisherman on that
island. In 1930, 18-year-old Mary Anne immigrated through Ellis Island
to America, where she worked as a "domestic" -- likely a maid -- and
married Frederick Trump in 1936.

* Andrew Carnegie: The 19th-century's "King of Steel" was born in Fife,
Scotland, in 1836. The 1841 Scotland census counted young Andrew
living at his uncle's home; his parents lived a few streets away.
Just seven years later, Andrew and his parents would immigrate to the
United States, settling in Pittsburgh, where father and son worked at
a cotton factory.

* Alexander Graham Bell: Celebrated telephone inventor, Alexander Graham
Bell, was born into a life of comparative luxury -- the 1851 Scotland
census records reveal that the Bell household in Edinburgh kept two
house servants. His father was a "Professor of Elocution & Vocal
Physiology for the Cure of Stammering." In the early 1870s, Alexander
immigrated to Canada with his parents and would later move to the
United States.

* Bertie Charles Forbes: The Forbes journalistic roots began in Scotland,
before Bertie Forbes immigrated to America. According to the 1901
Scotland census, Bertie's father, Robert, was working as a tailor while
his three older brothers worked for a grocer. However, 20-year-old
Bertie had already begun a new family business -- declaring his
occupation as "Journalist Sub Editor." Just 16 years later, in 1917,
he founded "Forbes Magazine," today America's oldest major business
magazine.

* David Dunbar Buick: Buick Motor Company founder, David Dunbar Buick's,
ancestors built houses, not cars. The 1851 Scotland census captures
David's father and grandfather both working as "House Carpenters."
Three years later David was born, and the family soon immigrated to
the United States, settling in Detroit. In May 1903, the Buick Motor
Company was incorporated.

"If you look closely at the lives of these men, there's one common and uniquely undeniable American thread -- the rags to riches story," said Megan Smolenyak, Chief Family Historian for Ancestry.com. "Each experience shows a rise to prominence within just one generation. Yet, the combined contributions of these and other Scottish-American entrepreneurs continue to change America, from cars to pop culture."

Almost 5 million Americans who claim Scottish ancestry can now discover their Scottish ancestors among the more than 24 million names in the complete Scotland Census Collection, 1841-1901, on Ancestry.com.

These censuses offer snapshots of history, from names and occupations to place of birth and residence, providing insight into the forces that shaped the lives of many Scottish ancestors. Interestingly, U.S. passenger list records indicate a spike in Scottish immigration during this period, making it easier for individuals to trace their ancestors from America's shores to Scotland's Highlands.

The complete Scotland Census Collection adds to Ancestry.com's growing international census collection, which already includes the only complete online collections of fully-indexed and digitized U.S. Federal Censuses from 1790 to 1930, England and Wales censuses from 1841 to 1901, and the 1851, 1901, 1906 and 1911 Canadian census.

About Ancestry.com
With 24,000 searchable databases and titles, Ancestry.com is the No. 1 online source for family history information. Since its launch in 1997, Ancestry.com has been the premier resource for family history, simplifying genealogical research for millions of people by providing them with many easy-to-use tools and resources to build their own unique family trees. Ancestry.com is part of The Generations Network, Inc., a leading network of family-focused interactive properties, including MyFamily.com, Rootsweb.com, Genealogy.com, and Family Tree Maker. In total, The Generations Network properties receive 9.6 million unique visitors worldwide and over 380 million page views a month ((C) comScore Media Metrix, February, 2007).

Source: Ancestry.com
Web site: http://www.ancestry.com

Right of Privacy for living folks & Book Printing Workshop

From: Zwriffe@aol.com
DearMYRTLE,
I am trying to learn enough with FTM to produce a family book with photo pictures. I want to make my primary book to have as many names and pictures I have for my family and I want to keep as much as possible for my children and the nieces and nephews. I have more old photographs and pictures than anyone living and I want my family to see some of these things.

I realize this is showing more current names and dates than is acceptable for publication in genealogy circles. How [can I get from] the "complete" book I want for my children [a pared down version] that can be given to some libraries?

Can this be done in one process or do I have to make two completely different books?

I have not been able to get much help from here in Sun City Center, FL because no one knows too much about how to do it, although several are wanting information. So far they have not found anyone willing or able to direct a group.

Can you give me some help or direction?

DearZOLA,
Throughout the years, various members of the Manasota PAF Users Group have shared results of their book-creating efforts using such programs as FTM Family Tree Maker, PAF Personal Ancestral File, and GenBook. Their work has been as formal as preparing pages for library-quality binding; and as cost-effective as printing & stapling ten-page bios on original immigrant ancestors. Since creating a publication to share the story with family members and other researchers is the ultimate goal of family historians, the topic of choosing content for publication bears exploring once again.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS: CREATE TWO DIFFERENT BOOKS
The reasoning behind this is the index must reflect names in the book. In other words, merely omitting to print the pages with details about living folks won't solve the problem. You wouldn't want to have to go through the index and cross-out the names of living individuals unless you want your book to look like it has been censored by the FBI.

For book donations to public libraries it is important to protect the right of privacy of living folks. Fortunately, every mainstream genealogy management software program allows for selection of individuals to include before printing. One choice is to eliminate info on all living individuals, and that choice is just a mouse-click away. Another method is to create four books, one on each of your grandparents. These could be combined into 1 publication, with 4 sections.

FIND OUT WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING: You are right to discuss this with others in your society, as each will have their own take on the subject. But maybe a different approach will affect more favorable responses. You have clearly identified a need, and since no one person can "know it all" why not volunteer to chair an open discussion "show and tell" workshop?

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WORKSHOP SUGGESTIONS
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The idea is to have people create actual book print-outs and bring them to the workshop for discussion and hands-on inspection.

1. Contact your local society board members to discuss the plan and arrange a date. I suggest that with South Bay's large "snow bird" contingent you might ask for time on next winter's calendar.

2. Make 1/3 page flyers about the project and distribute at all meetings between now and the scheduled workshop date.

3. Compose an announcement for the society's newsletter & send a copy to the society's webmaster.

4. Invite others to actively participate by having them create several "experimental" book printouts using their various genealogy programs. Look for folks who use Legacy, Reunion, Ancestral Quest, Family Tree Maker, Roots Magic, PAF, PAF Companion, The Master Genealogist and so forth. See if GenBook by Rex Clements is still viable, as I have preferred that genealogy book-creating software for years.

5. Consider that you'll probably have 5-6 active "show and tell" participants. The rest of the attendees will be learning from the mistakes and triumphs of the active participants.

6. Ask each active participant to speak 5 minutes on the good and bad options they encountered during the process, with a 2 -minute question and answer period to follow.

7. Prepare 5 scanned images (for computer projector) or 5 transparencies (for overhead projector) of pertinent pages from each participant's publication, so everyone attending may better visualize the results of each particular software program's book printing options.

8. After sharing, ask each active participant to move his printouts to his/her designated display table, and remain in that vicinity to answer questions and discuss possibilities during breaks and such.

9. Arrange for 30 minutes during the end of the meeting for people to visit the various display areas and ask questions of various active participants.

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GATHER INFORMATION ABOUT PRINTING OPTIONS
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1. Check local "quick print" facilities for price sheets and binding option costs. Ask for flyers to distribute at the workshop.

2. Obtain details from print-on-demand publishers such as lulu.com.

3. Create handouts and provide information to your webmaster, so participants and other members of your society will be able to refer to this information in the future.

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OBTAIN INFO ABOUT BOOK DONATION POLICIES
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1. Check with your local public library about policy & procedure.

2. Books donated to certain genealogical society libraries may require the use of a society-specific numbering system. Obtain details from the NGS National Genealogical Society, NEHGS New England Historic Genealogical Society if you plan to donate a copy of your work to either of these societies.

3. Your local LDS Family History Center may have the "Permission to Microfilm" form which should accompany a book donation to the Family History Library. If not, compose a sample letter to share with workshop participants. This letter should contain your signed authorization to microfilm and digitize your publication.
Family History Library
Attn: Family Book Donation
35 North West Temple Street
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84150-3400

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HAVE A WONDERFUL WORKSHOP
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Remember the phrase "we get by with a little help from our friends?" Holding such a "show & tell" workshop follows that line of thinking, and provides a forum for discussion among the genealogists in your community. Good luck! Ol' Myrt wishes she could attend and values her honorary membership status with your society.

Happy family tree climbing!
Myrt :)
DearMYRTLE,
Your friend in genealogy.
Myrt@DearMYRTLE.com
www.DearMYRTLE.com

(c) 2007 All Rights Reserved.

READERS' FEEDBACK: 9 April 2007

-- Cemetery privately owned?
-- JPEG Files (sigh)
-- In defense of Ancestry.com
-- WWI Photos - 27th Fighter Squadron
-- Lost Beale Family Bible

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CEMETERY PRIVATELY OWNED?
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From: Kathleen pbwkhb@sbcglobal.net
RE: Cemetery cleaning on private land
http://blog.dearmyrtle.com/2007/04/cemetery-cleaning-on-private-land-from.html
DearMYRTLE,
There is a possibility the person who owns the land does not own the cemetery. Your writer could go to the court house to see if there is a quit claim deed giving it to a member of the family.

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.JPEG FILES (sigh)
----------------------------------------------------------
From: DeClair59
RE: JPEG giles lose detail each time altered
http://blog.dearmyrtle.com/2007/04/jpeg-files-lose-detail-each-time.html
DearMYRTLE,
It seems yet more misinformation is being presented here. It isn't accurate to generally say that making changes to a jpeg file will cause more compression to take place when you save it. If you have your graphics program set to make a compression in jpeg format, then it will compress anew if a photo is made smaller by cropping or resizing. In Paint Shop Pro, for instance, you can set the compression level to "1." The compression is so negligible that only a tech freak would ever know the difference. I compared a scanned photo saved in tiff format and the same photo saved in jpeg format and although there was a slight difference in pixel size, they were identical in the NUMBER of pixels (which is very important). If you change brightness, contrast and such, or take out scratches and then save it this won't change the overall pixel quality of the photo. No new compression takes place when you save it unless you WANT it compressed, i.e. you have a certain compression setting specified and keep saving images in that setting. Now, there may be changes from a very technical point of view, but not for practical purposes. Also, tiffs can be compressed as well. In Paint Shop Pro there is automatically a default compression level set for tiffs and jpegs. It's up to the user to set it how they want it. People could be compressing their tiff images without even knowing it. So, while my computer may be able to detect these slight differences, you and I would be hard pressed to. In my opinion, you aren't getting any pay-off to speak of for taking up huge amounts of disk space with tiff images.

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IN DEFENSE OF ANCESTRY.COM
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From: Karen Bush karenbush@cableone.net
RE: ACROSS MY DESK: Recent Trip to the FHL
http://blog.dearmyrtle.com/2007/04/across-my-desk-recent-trip-to-fhl-note.html
DearMYRTLE,
I am somewhat bothered by these comments at the end of the person's email about their trip to the FHC. As I understand it, I can log into my personal Ancestry account, no matter where I am - FHC, public library or at a friends home, if I am personally using my account. I don't know if the agreement ever said anything about where we log in from, only that you can't share your account with other persons - meaning you can't loan out you username and password for someone else to use.

Second, I live an 8 hour drive from the Salt Lake Family History Library. If I were to order just all the census films I need to look at, when I am tracing a family line through the census, I would pay more in microfilm fees at the FHC than a subscription to Ancestry would cost me, plus the convenience of being able to do that part of my research. Last week, I was working with one of our new local family history consultants who is starting with a family file that has no documentation. I suggested to him that it would be worthwhile for him to subscribe to Ancestry.com just for the census.

It's all very well to believe that all genealogical information should be available to us for free. But it costs an enormous amount of money to digitize records and to make them available. I have found Ancestry.com to be very reliable and the consistently have been digitizing and adding new records to their collection. I also remember when Rootsweb was about to go under. It is because Ancestry stepped up and funded Rootsweb that we have that resource today for free.

NOTE FROM MYRT: Readers with your understanding about access to Ancestry are in for a surprise when visiting the Family History Library. There are distinct changes effective 1 April 2007, and the internet is a-buzz with the topic. See the official statement by Suzanne Russo Adams, AG(r), Professional Services Desk Manager ancestry.com Part of The Generations Network reported last week in my blog: http://blog.dearmyrtle.com/2007/04/surprises-from-ancestry.html

I agree that Ancestry.com membership is invaluable to individual researchers, and I have often written about the cost of producing a database website with the sorts of numbers Ancestry.com receives each month. I believe Ancestry is indeed entitled to earn a fair income for use of its services.

Ol' Myrt objects to the notion that Ancestry did not privide a reasonable work-around for those of us loyal members who wish to access Ancestry at the local FHC or at Salt Lake's Family History Library. Call me crazy, but I expect to use my personal account at any place (such as the FHL) where normal internet access is allowed. OK? That means I am not expecting to get online AT ALL if visiting outer Mongolia. That "access via our private account from any place with internet access" dream we share, DearKAREN, is not in the cards at the moment.

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WWI Photos - 27th Fighter Squadron
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From: Robtcorr@aol.com
DearMYRTLE,
I just came across a request made by Debbie Neece about two WW 1 photo's she has. I am a former member of the 27th Fighter Squadron and past president of The 27th Fighter Squadron Historical Society and would like to contact Debbie about the photos. Could you inform Debbie of my request to contact her?

NOTE FROM MYRT: Let's pray that Debbie will read this email. I forward your helpful note because I now longer have her email address.

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LOST BEALE FAMILY BIBLE
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From: Alice Sanders sanders922@msn.com
DearMYRTLE,
I have to send you a big thank you for the role you played in a different kind of genealogy search. My daughter bought an old bible of the Pennel Beale family. She thought it was such a shame some of his descendants did not have this as part of their family treasures and set about tracing the family. I tried helping her with out much success. Months passed, until recently something was mentioned in a DearMYRTLE column about the Beale surname. I sent this on to my daughter, who contacted the person mentioned, who also had information to share. Contact has been made with a Beale researcher willing to share and exchange information. So maybe one day soon the bible will have found it way back home with the family.

DearALICE,
Thanks for the feedback. I'd also suggest that your daughter make a posting to the BEALE family message board and mailing list at www.RootsWeb.com . These messages come up as fully-searchable and with free access, even on a Google hit list. I do not recommend giving out your personal snail mail address and telephone number. Personally Ol' Myrt uses the UPS Store (formerly Mail Boxes, Etc.) to receive snail mail and packages.

Happy family tree climbing!
Myrt :)
DearMYRTLE,
Your friend in genealogy.
Myrt@DearMYRTLE.com
www.DearMYRTLE.com

(c) 2007 All Rights Reserved.

RootsTube & RootsTelevision

NOTE from DearMYRTLE: This is just in from Megan Smolenyak. All inquiries should be addressed to her and our friends at RootsTelevision at: info@rootstelevision.com

SHOW US YOUR ROOTS AND WIN $500!

Roots Television, LLC www.rootstelevision.com wants everyone to flaunt their roots!

Launched just a few months ago, this first-ever online home for family history programming boasts 20 channels of great shows for the roots-enthusiast - all available 24/7 and almost all for free. And now viewers have the opportunity to submit their own video through the freshly introduced RootsTube channel and win $500!

Yes, it's finally here! The perfect way for millions of genealogists around the globe to share their sleuthing adventures, family reunion mishaps, cemetery explorations, interviews with WWII vets, trips to the old country, or even the local society's monthly lectures. With a few easy-to-follow instructions, anyone can put their video out there for fellow roots-lovers to enjoy.

To celebrate the launch of RootsTube, Roots TelevisionT is holding a Wild Roots! contest.

While submissions of all things genealogical are welcome, viewers are invited to tell the world about the craziest thing they ever did in their quest to learn about their heritage. Did you accidentally pull an all-nighter at your computer? Did you cross a field with a bull in it to get to an old cemetery? Did you purposely get yourself locked into a library overnight? If so, we want to hear about it. You can tell your tale directly to the camera, re-enact it, animate it, use hand puppets or whatever appeals to you. Do it by yourself or with your sister, research buddies, fellow society members, or that 6th cousin of yours in New Zealand.

All countries and languages welcome! On May 15, 2007, Roots Television will select and announce the winner of the Wild Roots! contest.

While you're at it, why not take a few minutes to explore what else Roots TelevisionT has to offer? Check out our recently unveiled new look that makes it easier than ever to navigate around our 20 channels that include DNA, Military, Kids, Dearly Departed, African Roots, How To and more. Watch your favorite speakers at national conferences, peek over Flat Stanley's shoulder as he does his roots, or see how Bob Zins DNA testing to find out who his real father was.

Browse the program guide to see what must-see video you might be missing.

While you're there, subscribe to the Og Blog or our newsletter to keep up on the latest programs - and keep an eye out for an exciting new original series coming soon!

About Roots Television, LLC
Headquartered in Utah, Roots Television, LLC is an independent media company that is the brainchild of national media producer Marcy Brown and professional genealogist Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak (yes, her real name).

Largely a virtual operation with partners scattered around the globe, Roots Television(t) takes a broad view of family history and is committed to providing programming - both original and from talented producers and independent filmmakers around the world - that appeals to avid genealogists and family history lovers of all stripes.

Whether you're an archives hound, scrapbooker, cousin collector, roots-travel enthusiast, Civil War re-enactor, DNA fan, reunion instigator, sepia-toned photos zealot, Internet-junkie, history buff, old country traditions follower, cemetery devotee, story-teller, multicultural food aficionado, flea market and antiques fanatic, family documentarian, nostalgia nut, or mystery-solver, Roots Television(t) has something for you -- and that "something" is quality programming.

Contact:
Sam Butterworth
801-494-5634
info@rootstelevision.com

Cemetery cleaning on private land

From: NBettyboop30@aol.com
DearMYRTLE,
Can you please send any information regarding the cemetery law in West Virginia? I have the one you posted regarding Virginia and was wondering if West Virginia has the same laws.

My family was once the owner of some land that a family cemetery is located on.

The land is now in the hands of another owner, and [my] family would like to clean up the cemetery as it is a mess, It has been neglected for years. What is the proper way to go about having the cemetery cleaned?

DearBETTYJANE,
I had hoped to make progress in answering your questions by using the West Virginia state website located at http://www.wv.gov However, searches of the site for either the word 'cemetery' or 'cemeteries' (without quote marks) returned no hits. Hmmm, discouraging. In fact most of the tabs on this website didn't work. Amazing. I was finally able to find a link that DID work, but I cannot determine if this quote is in fact the most recent law:

"The purpose of this bill is to permit access to family or private cemeteries by cemetery plot owners, heirs of deceased persons, family members of deceased persons and persons interested in engaging in genealogy research for the purposes of visitation of the grave sites, maintenance of the grave site or cemetery or research. It also creates a cause of action for injunctive relief if a person is not permitted access to the cemetery, requires visitors to conduct themselves in a responsible manner and limits the use of motor vehicles when
accessing the cemetery." A link titled "hb4370 intr" is located at: http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2000_SESSIONS/RS/Bills/hb4370%20intr.htm

Ol' Myrt recommends going to http://www.legis.state.wv.us to find contact info for the West Virginia state senator with jurisdiction over the town and county where your family plot is located. Ask his staff for a reference to the most recent law on the subject and go from there. Please be aware that the state law cited earlier states

"(c) All persons exercising access to a grave site or cemetery under the provisions of this section are responsible for conducting themselves in a manner that does not damage the private lands or the cemetery or grave site and are liable to the owner of the private lands for any damage caused as a result of their access. The access to a cemetery or grave site on private lands conferred by this section does not include the right to operate motor vehicles on the private lands, unless there is a road or adequate right-of-way that permits access by motor vehicle and the owner has given written permission to use the road or right-of-way." http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2000_SESSIONS/RS/Bills/hb4370%20intr.htm

Again, I do not know if this is in fact the most recent West Virginia legislative directive on the subject.

Regarding the cemetery clean-up process itself, Ol' Myrt suggests reading:

AGS Association of Gravestone Studies
http://www.gravestonestudies.org
Click on "Preservation" on the navigation bar on the left, and you'll find a plethora of ideas about cleaning headstones including:

"Why can't I use shaving cream to highlight inscriptions on difficult to read stones?

Our professional conservators tell us it is definitely not a good idea to use shaving cream on porous gravestones because there are chemicals, greasy emollients, in shaving cream that are sticky and very difficult to remove from the stone with a simple washing. Indeed, even with vigorous scrubbing and lots of rinsing, the cream fills in the pores of a porous stone and cannot all be removed. The result of leaving it there is that in time it may discolor or damage the stone.

Instead, use a mirror to shine sunlight across the face of a stone, making the lettering stand out. [...] Always prefer a non-invasive method on gravestones just
as we do on medical tests on our own bodies." http://www.gravestonestudies.org/preservation.htm

FOR FURTHER READING:

-- West Virginia Saving Graves Yahoo Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wvsavinggraves/?yguid=177041903

Happy family tree climbing!
Myrt :)
DearMYRTLE,
Your friend in genealogy.
Myrt@DearMYRTLE.com
www.DearMYRTLE.com

(c) 2007 All Rights Reserved.

Fire in Everett, WA

From: Cindy cindyall@gmail.com
DearMYRTLE,
I, as have others, have run into the stumbling block of the burned courthouse or other building destroying the records that I need. This morning it was brought home watching the news of the fire in Everett WA.

They showed the damage to documents and photos caused by the water used to put out the fire. Someone they interviewed talked of all those who haddonated items and artifacts to the museum and how the items were now probably lost. It was kind of heartbreaking. The news article says they don't know how bad the damage was but it looked bad on TV. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003647497_websnocofire02m.html

So my question is what are some of the work-arounds to find substitutes for the burned records. (Such as the 1890 census.)

Thanks,Cindy in Snohomish (who woke up to nearly three inches of snow)

DearCINDY in Snohomish (who woke up to nearly three inches of snow),
Ol'Myrt also saw the video of the water damage of the fire started about "1 p.m. during work on the 40,000-square-foot building (at 2815 Baker Avenue). The building houses, among other things, storage space for artifacts from the Museum of Snohomish County History. The museum recently closed its doors." IBID. Heartbreaking, simply heartbreaking!

It's always difficult to see hundreds of years of documents and artifacts succumb to the ravages of fire or other damage. The folks researching Georgia and South Carolina ancestors can certainly speak to this subject.

As for "work arounds", the most likely resource would be to connect with other researchers who have experience in the locality where you ancestors once lived. Find such folks by going to:

• Ancestry.com Message Boards www.Ancestry.com
• Family History Library Research Outlines (mentioning resources in addition to those in the FHL collection) http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/RG/frameset_rhelps.asp
• RootsWeb Mailing Lists www.Rootsweb.com
• USGenWeb www.USGenWeb.com

I have heard of instances where the land records were re-recorded after such a devastating incident quite simply because folks want to preserve their ownership while witnesses are available.
Happy family tree climbing!
Myrt :)
DearMYRTLE,
Your friend in genealogy.
www.DearMYRTLE.com
(c) 2007 All Rights Reserved.

Cost of Doing Research

From: (Name withheld)
DearMYRTLE,
It's absolutely wonderful that there are so many outlets and links out there in cyberspace to help out finding family connections and I do sympathize with the "owners" of these links, but no where in this cycle of searching does it mention that you have to be rich to actually FIND anyone.

I have been searching for family members for about 6 combinations of families as I have a "step" situation in my life. Let me tell you it ain't easy when you have a very limited income and can't reach any of the information because of the monthly fees most groups charge to just get to point A. Ancestry .com used to be a very helpful link for me until the cost came into the picture and now I've lost all chances to follow up on some of the items they led me believe I could reach.

So now my searching has gone down to the luck of finding some member of the family that IS actually connected and has plenty of info and is willing to share. I've been stumped for the last 5 years thinking my grandfather's life began with him as there are no open lines for me to get the info from without dishing out money I don't have just in case there's an answer somewhere.

Life really does belong to those who have the means to pay for information.

Yes, I'll keep on plodding along but I doubt I'll ever get all the answers I've been searching for. -- Thanks for letting me vent.

DearREADERS,
About once a week Ol' Myrt here receives such an email, and every time my response is the same:

WHERE THERE'S A WILL, THERE'S A WAY. (Or a census record, a printed family history book or a...). But, let us not forget that:

-- Much of Ancestry.com is available for free through local LDS Family History Centers equipped with high-speed internet.

-- Many local public libraries provide access to HeritageQuestOnline.

-- The FHL Family History Library's surname books are being scanned and presented online at no cost to viewers.

-- RootsWeb.com, USGenWeb.com and WorldGenWeb.org provide free genealogical information, including transcriptions, maps and links to other valuable resource on the internet.

-- Thanks to the Gates Foundation, most US libraries provide free high-speed internet access.

-- One may order books, microfilm and fiche through the local public library at little or no cost through the ILL Interlibrary Loan program.

NOTE: The advisability of using ILL (inter-library loan) was a topic of discussion at our local DUV (Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War) yesterday. For one researcher, the public library is her main research tool.

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ONE DOESN'T NEED TO HAVE A HOME COMPUTER to do genealogical research in the 21st century, since it is possible to:

-- establish a free email account at sites such as Gmail.com or Yahoo.com

-- maintain your genealogy database in a public or private area at Ancestry.com or on a computer at your local LDS Family History Center.

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So, dear, DearREADER, keep hanging in there. I know that with today's economy, some people on fixed incomes must choose between purchasing their Rx medications or putting food on the table.

Maybe YOU could focus your efforts over the next year compiling a huge list of free genealogical resources on and off the internet. Then you could publish a book and THAT income would feed your genealogy research "habit."

Imagine the possibilities!

Happy family tree climbing!
Myrt :)
DearMYRTLE, your friend in genealogy.
Snail Mail Address:
227 Bellevue Way NE PMB 544
Bellevue, WA 98004
Myrt@DearMYRTLE.com
http://www.DearMYRTLE.com