A Genealogy Community Necrology for 2012

Marcia Rice with the War of 1812 Quilt
FGS 2012 Conference, August 2012, Birmingham, AL

As 2012 winds down to an end, many of us focus on setting goals and resolutions for 2013, some even related to genealogy. In addition, we have a tendency to look back at not just our accomplishments, but those family members and friends who left us during the year.

Many genealogists know the importance of a “necrology” which would be prepared at year’s end and posted in the local newspaper. The list would usually be organized in date order listing who had died, their age and perhaps some other information useful for family history research. A necrology was also a way to pay tribute to those that were lost during the previous year.

Honor Those We’ve Lost

One way that you can honor any person – a loved one, a favorite ancestor, a member of the genealogy community – is by contributing to the Preserve the Pensions - War of 1812 Digitization Fund and utilizing the Honors and Tributes section of the donation form:

All donations are tax deductible and each time a genealogist uses the War of 1812 Pension Files, you’ll know that you helped make such access possible.

In Memoriam

• John Humphrey, 64. A well-known and respected professional genealogist, John’s most noted contributions were as an author, educator and speaker. He produced the fifteen-volume Pennsylvania Birth Series, and focused on Pennsylvanian, German, Welsh and Moravian ancestry. Read the full obituary here.

• Kim Kasprzyk, 57. A long-time volunteer with the Illinois State Genealogical Society as well as FGS, Kim was instrumental in the success of the FGS 2011 conference in Springfield, Illinois. Kim was passionate about her family history research and will be missed by many at ISGS and FGS. Read the full obituary here.

• Marcia Rice, 64. A well-known volunteer with various FGS conference and projects, Marcia was loved and respected for her enthusiasm for family history, and the work of various genealogy societies. Marcia passed away suddenly on October 12, 2012. Read the full obituary here.

• Louise B. Stern, 101. The wife of noted genealogist and historian Rabbi Malcolm H. Stern, Louise Bergman Stern passed away in February 2012. The Stern-NARA Gift Fund, administered by FGS, was named to honor the late Rabbi Stern. Read the full obituary here.

FGS Radio: FHISO: Family History Standards for Your Genealogy Society

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http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mysociety/2012/12/15/fhiso-family-history-standards-for-your-genealogy-society

Saturday, December 15, 2012
2-3pm Eastern US
1-2pm Central US
12-1pm Mountain US
11am-12pm Pacific US

Join us for the next episode of FGS Radio - My Society, an Internet radio show on Blog talk Radio presented by the Federation of Genealogical Societies.

Roger Moffat

This week’s episode hosted by Randy Whited is entitled FHISO: Family History Standards for Your Genealogy Society. Our guest this week will be Roger Moffat, co-organizer of FHISO - Family History Information Standards Organization. Join us as we discuss standardization in the genealogical community. We will also be featuring FGS member society the Illinois State Genealogical Society in our weekly Society Spotlight feature.

Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

Join Us Each Saturday Afternoon at FGS Radio

Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

FGS Member Society ISGS Raises Over $40,000 During War of 1812 Records Preservation Campaign

Preserve the Pensions Project to Digitize Important Pension Records and Provide Free Access to the Public

December 11, 2012 – Springfield, IL. The Illinois State Genealogical Society (ISGS) is proud to announce that it has completed its recently launched $10,000 War of 1812 Pension Match Challenge with strong support from ISGS members as well as the genealogical community.

On June 18, 2012, the 200th anniversary of the declaration of the War of 1812, ISGS announced its $10,000 War of 1812 Pension Match Challenge. ISGS made a commitment to match any contribution (up to the first $10,000) made to the Preserve the Pensions project before December 31, 2012. In addition, Ancestry.com announced that it would also match all monies donated during the campaign, resulting in all contributions being quadrupled. A total of $40,000 to be donated to the Preserve the Pensions project will result in 88,888 additional pages of the War of 1812 Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files being digitized over the next few months.

The Preserve the Pensions campaign (http://www.preservethepensions.org), sponsored by the Federation of Genealogical Societies (http://www.fgs.org) along with Ancestry.com, Fold3 and the National Archives, seeks to raise over $3.7 Million needed to digitize the War of 1812 pension files that are currently stored in the National Archives and make them freely available online. With over 180,000 Pension files in this historic record set and over 7.2 million pages, access to these records will benefit not only genealogists and family historians, but a variety of researchers. In addition, the digitization project will help preserve and halt further damage to these historical documents. The files are being digitized as funds become available and many files are already viewable by visiting http://go.fold3.com/1812pensions/.

ISGS President Jane Haldeman notes: “The ISGS board made a strong commitment to the preservation of the War of 1812 Pension Records when it issued the fundraising challenge earlier this year. ISGS thanks all who contributed, especially those members of the genealogy community who are not members of ISGS. Digitizing these records will benefit ALL genealogists and hopefully result in more people locating information about their ancestors.”

About Illinois State Genealogical Society

The Illinois State Genealogical Society (ISGS) was formed in 1968 through the cooperative effort and forward thinking of Illinois genealogical society representatives, who envisioned a statewide genealogical organization. ISGS is a not-for-profit, nonsectarian, educational organization. ISGS was established for the following purposes:

• To stimulate an interest in the people who contributed to the establishment and development of the State of Illinois.

• To seek, preserve, and make available data pertaining to individuals, families, and groups who lived in Illinois and to events which took place therein.

• To inform people of the value of, and need for, preserving family and local history for posterity.

• To encourage the formation of local genealogical societies and to coordinate and disseminate information.

Follow us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/ILgensoc), Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/ILgensoc) and on our blog at http://ilgensoc.blogspot.com.

FGS Radio: Promoting Genealogy to a Larger Audience

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http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mysociety/2012/12/01/promoting-genealogy-to-a-larger-audience

Saturday, December 1, 2012
2-3pm Eastern US
1-2pm Central US
12-1pm Mountain US
11am-12pm Pacific US

Join us for the next episode of FGS Radio - My Society, an Internet radio show on Blog talk Radio presented by the Federation of Genealogical Societies.

This week’s episode hosted by Randy Whited is entitled Promoting Genealogy to a Larger Audience. Our guest this week will be Angie Rodesky, Tennessee genealogist, blogger and guest on a recent episode of “How the States Got Their Shapes” on H2. Join us as we discuss Angie’s experience in that program and what each of us could do to promote our efforts in unique ways. We will also be featuring FGS member society the Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society in our weekly Society Spotlight feature.

Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

Join Us Each Saturday Afternoon at FGS Radio

Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

War of 1812 Pension Digitization Fund Receives Generous $250,000 Donation

FamilySearch Adds to Genealogy Community Fundraising Effort

November 27, 2012 – Austin, TX. The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) is pleased to announce that the War of 1812 “Preserve the Pensions” Digitization Fund received a generous donation this week of $250,000 from FamilySearch, a nonprofit organization and world leader in the genealogy community. The donation helps move the Fund closer to its goal of $3.7 million in donations to digitally preserve and index the War of 1812 pension and bounty land records.

The War of 1812, often called the “Second Revolution,” was a pivotal moment in our Nation’s history. Individual states struggled to become one nation after a long-fought Revolution, and the “American Experiment” was still at a precarious stage. The strength and courage of the patriots who fought in the War of 1812 ensured that our American Revolution did not end up as a mere footnote to British history and conquest. Instead, valiant farmers, merchants, seamen, fathers, and sons became soldiers to fight for what they and their fathers had believed in: their American home.

Now, two hundred years later, the War of 1812 “Preserve the Pensions” Digitization Fund celebrates their success, honor, and memories by digitally preserving the veterans’ pension records and making them freely accessible to all online. The initiative will digitally preserve the 180,000 War of 1812 pension records (7.2 million pages) located at NARA, and create a searchable index online. Currently, NARA receives over 3,000 patron requests per year for copies of soldiers’ files.

“The Federation is extremely grateful to FamilySearch for their generous support of this enormously important endeavor,” said Curt Witcher, vice president of development for FGS. “Linking the genealogical community, marshaling that community’s resources, preserving and making accessible records that document our heritage—all are central to the Federation's mission. FamilySearch’s very generous pacesetting gift helps ensure that this 21st century preservation and access project is a reality.”

David Rencher, chief genealogy officer for FamilySearch, said, “FamilySearch publishes over 400 million images of historic documents online for free each year, and is honored to support community efforts like the War of 1812 ‘Preserve the Pensions’ Digitization Fund to preserve and make additional high priority historic records more widely available.”

The War of 1812 files are very valuable to family historians and genealogists because they contain rich information such as:

• Veteran’s name and age
• Residence
• Widow’s name and maiden name
• Service history and dates
• Military rank and organization
• If Bounty Land was granted and information on those warrants
• Marriage information
• Death dates for soldiers and widows
• Additional names of neighbors and comrades

Anyone can donate to the project at www.preservethepensions.org. Each pension page costs $0.45 to digitize. Each dollar of contribution digitizes two pages. Every little bit helps. To view the FREE images already online, go to: http://go.fold3.com/1812pensions.

About FamilySearch

FamilySearch is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources for free at FamilySearch.org or through more than 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

About the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS)

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) was founded in 1976 and represents the members of hundreds of genealogical societies. FGS links the genealogical community by helping genealogical societies strengthen and grow through resources available online, FGS Forum magazine (filled with articles pertaining to society management and genealogical news), and Society Strategy Series papers, covering topics about effectively operating a genealogical society. FGS also links the genealogical community through its annual conference -- four days of excellent lectures, including one full day devoted to society management topics. To learn more visit http://www.fgs.org.

Updated Reach Out Publications for Genealogy Societies at FGS

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) Outreach Committee is proud to announce that the latest digital editions of Reach Out are available on the FGS website. Three new digital editions are available featuring the guest writers:

• Youth Edition by Jennifer Holik
• Archives/Archivist Edition by Gregory J. Kocken
• Homeschool Edition by Stephanie Pitcher Fishman

The Federation of Genealogical Societies Outreach Committee (FGSOC) was formed in 2009 and produces digital editions to assist FGS membership societies in reaching out to those outside the genealogical community. Since that time, several editions have been made available at the FGS website under the following categories: Youth, Libraries/Librarians, Historians, Archives/Archivists, College/Universities and Corporations and Outside Partnerships. The FGSOC also hopes to have an open dialogue with other organizations and to remain in collaborative spirit.

The digital editions of Reach Out are available at the FGS Website in the Succeed sidebar.

If you have any suggestions or would like to contact the FGSOC you can email the committee at outreach@fgs.org.

FGS Radio: FindMyPast.com and Its Partnership with the Federation of Genealogical Societies

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http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mysociety/2012/11/10/findmypastcom-and-its-partnership-with-fgs

Saturday, November 10, 2012
2-3pm Eastern US
1-2pm Central US
12-1pm Mountain US
11am-12pm Pacific US

Join us for the next episode of FGS Radio - My Society, an Internet radio show on Blog talk Radio presented by the Federation of Genealogical Societies.

This week’s episode hosted by Randy Whited is entitled FindMyPast.com and Its Partnership with the Federation of Genealogical Societies. Our guest this week will be Elaine Collins, Business Development Director for brightsolid. Join us as we discuss the new partnership between FindMyPast.com and FGS and what it may mean for your society. We will also be featuring FGS member society the Dutchess County Genealogical Society in our weekly Society Spotlight feature.

Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

Join Us Each Saturday Afternoon at FGS Radio

Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

Impact of Hurricane Sandy on NARA Facilities and Holdings

[Editor's Note: FGS just received this e-mail message from David Ferriero, the Archivist of the United States, describing the impact of Hurricane Sandy on the holdings of the National Archives and Records Administration.  Also, check the AOTUS: Collector In Chief blog for future updates.]

Dear Colleagues,

I hope that you and your families are well and safe after Sandy’s visit to the Northeast.

In general, NARA facilities were largely spared, thanks to extensive preparation based on “lessons learned” from similar weather events. I am grateful to all of our staff and especially to our facilities and emergency staff for your ongoing work in keeping NARA personnel and records safe.

No NARA holdings were damaged as a result of Hurricane Sandy, thanks to your careful preparation.

In advance of the storm, representatives from Business Support Services coordinated with facility managers in NARA's east coast facilities to ensure necessary preparation.

At Archives I, NARA facilities staff took several precautionary steps prior to Hurricane Sandy's arrival, including pumping down sump pits and pre-deploying the flood gates at the A1 moat openings. Additional measures implemented after the 2006 flooding including the installation of coffer dams and watertight doors, successfully limited water leakage to a minimal amount. The generator fuel tanks were filled and ready in case power was lost.

Archives II advance preparations included pumping down the rain water storage tank and securing the exterior of the building, as well as filling the generator fuel tanks in case power was lost. Power service remained throughout. There was some roof water leakage at AII, on an area of the roof that was being replaced when Hurricane Sandy hit.

The Washington National Records Center at Suitland, MD weathered the storm well with minor pipe leakage but no records damage.

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, MA, had only minor leakage. The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Library in Hyde Park, NY, seems to have fared well, as did our facilities in Philadelphia, Waltham, and Pittsfield.

Hardest hit was the National Archives at New York City, in its new location in lower Manhattan. The building is on generator power, and NARA staff are in touch with both GSA and its contractors to assess the site as soon as possible.

And, the Office of the Federal Register remained open and published during the two days that the government was closed in Washington.

NARA preparation also included the posting of a newly updated Records Emergency Toolkit available to NARA staff on which includes a First Response Checklist and other useful resources: http://www.nara-at-work.gov/archives_and_records_mgmt/archives_and_activities/preservation/records_emergencypreparedness.html

While NARA facilities overall fared well, we know that other archival facilities did not. NARA staff are reaching out to state archivists whose states have been affected by the hurricane. Agency Services and Research Services are poised to advise and coordinate with Federal agencies on any needed records recovery operations.

Thanks again to all of you for your hard work, and my hope for a speedy return to normal for those affected by the storm.

David

Stop By and say Hi to Accessible Archives in Charleston!

The Charleston Conference 2012

Each year hundreds of librarians, vendors, and publishers make a pilgrimage to Charleston, SC.

The Charleston Conference is an informal annual gathering of librarians, publishers, electronic resource managers, consultants, and vendors of library materials in Charleston, SC, in November, to discuss issues of importance to them all.

Begun in 1980, the Charleston Conference has grown from 20 participants in 1980 to over 1,400 in 2011.

Stop by and see Iris Hanney at table 13, with Accessible Archives, at the Vendor Showcase if you are at the conference.

Visit Accessible Archives’ blog: http://www.accessible-archives.com/blog/



Contacts:

Tom Nagy, COO
Accessible Archives, Inc.
866-296-1488
tnagy@accessible.com
www.accessible-archives.com

Iris L. Hanney, President
Unlimited Priorities LLC
239-549-2384
iris.hanney@unlimitedpriorities.com
www.unlimitedpriorities.com

Free Content for Genealogy Society Publications from Flip-Pal

Flip-Pal mobile scanner recognizes that resources at many genealogy societies are stretched thin. It can be difficult to create the necessary content for use in society publications that can attract the attention of both current and prospective members.

One way that Flip-Pal can help: providing free articles for use in genealogy society newsletters and other publications. There are no real restrictions involved; Flip-Pal simply wants to get the word out about some of the current and important topics involving the genealogy community. Society leaders and publication editors are encouraged to use the information as they see fit—in a society’s newsletter, quarterly/journal or even on a website or blog.

The latest free article is entitled The Why of Genealogy, which contains ideas on what motivates genealogists in their search for ancestors and how that passion is created and sustained. Click here for more information on how to download and use this article.

FGS Announces 2012 Election Results

D. Joshua Taylor Elected President; New Board Members and Directors Include Cherie Bush, Kris Rzepczynski, and Melissa Shimkus

October 12, 2012 – Austin, TX. The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announces the results of its recent election for FGS board members and directors. The election was conducted online September 1 - 30, 2012 with all FGS delegates eligible to vote. Office terms for those elected will begin on January 2, 2013.

Current Vice President of Administration, D. Joshua Taylor, was elected to fill the two-year term of FGS President. With the recent election results, Pat Oxley, outgoing President of FGS states, “The newly-elected and re-elected FGS Board members comprise a diverse group of committed genealogy professionals capable of transforming genealogy societies in the 21st century.”

“I’d also like to thank outgoing Directors Jana Broglin, Gordon Erickson, Mike Hall and Sue Tolbert as well as Past President Wendy Elliott for their service over the past term. Their contributions have been essential to our growth at FGS and an increased awareness of the importance of genealogy and family history,” Oxley added.

FGS Radio: Roundtable Programs for Your Genealogy Society

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Saturday, September 29, 2012
2-3pm Eastern US
1-2pm Central US
12-1pm Mountain US
11am-12pm Pacific US

Join us for the next episode of FGS Radio - My Society, an Internet radio show on Blog talk Radio presented by the Federation of Genealogical Societies.

This week’s episode hosted by Randy Whited is entitled Roundtable Programs for Your Genealogy Society. Our guest this week will be John Sabol, Cleveland area author and lecturer on local Czech and Slovak genealogy research. Join us as we discuss multi-topic roundtable programs for your society or, as John calls it, “Speed Dating for Genealogists.” We will also be featuring FGS member society the Tulsa Genealogy Society in our weekly Society Spotlight feature.

Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

Join Us Each Saturday Afternoon at FGS Radio

Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

FGS Radio: Print on Demand Publishing for Your Genealogy Society

Click here to create a reminder to listen to FGS Radio:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mysociety/2012/09/15/print-on-demand-publishing-for-your-genealogy-society

Saturday, September 15, 2012
2-3pm Eastern US
1-2pm Central US
12-1pm Mountain US
11am-12pm Pacific US

Join us for the next episode of FGS Radio - My Society, an Internet radio show on Blog talk Radio presented by the Federation of Genealogical Societies.

This week’s episode hosted by Randy Whited is entitled Print on Demand Publishing for Your Genealogy Society. Our guest this week will be Lisa Alzo, a Director with FGS and Chair of its Publications Committee. Join us as we discuss how to leverage print on demand services to reduce our costs while still providing quality print publications. We will also be featuring FGS member society the Irish Genealogical Society of Michigan in our weekly Society Spotlight feature.

Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

Join Us Each Saturday Afternoon at FGS Radio

Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

Two Days Left to Save on RootsTech Registration

RootsTech has a booth in the FGS 2012 Exhibit Hall and has an offer that includes those not at the conference! Don't miss out on this exclusive $100 savings offer for the upcoming RootsTech conference! This special Insider Early Registration promotion ends this Sunday, September 2nd and will be the lowest price available to the public for a full conference RootsTech pass.

Simply go to RootsTech.org/Insider to register and enter promo code FGS119.

RootsTech is a fast-growing conference with a unique emphasis on helping individuals learn and use the latest technology to get started or accelerate their efforts to find, organize, preserve, and share their family’s connections and history. The 2013 conference will be held March 21-23 in Salt Lake City, UT.

In it’s third year, RootsTech 2013 will offer many new, exciting resources for genealogists and family historians of all skill levels. Join the thousands of attendees and experience:

• More Classes, More Speakers – great new sessions and more hands-on workshops to attend
• 40% Bigger Expo Hall – exciting new exhibitors with great products and services for you to discover
• New! Getting Started Track – all the basics and lots of help for beginners to jump start their family research
• Developer Day – consolidated track specifically designed for technology developers

For a limited time, before registration officially opens to the public, members and friends of FGS can receive $100 off the full 3-day conference pass price (regular price is $219, exclusive Insider price is only $119). Exclusive Insider Early Registration is available only from August 29 to September 2, 2012.

Full conference schedules can be viewed during the registration process.

Accessible Archives to Exhibit at JCLC II: 2012

Accessible Archives is proud to be an exhibitor at the second Joint Conference of Librarians of Color (JCLC) which will be held from September 19-23, 2012 in Kansas City, Missouri (http://jclc-conference.org). Please stop by the Accessible Archives’ booth # 416.

Founded in 1990, Accessible Archives utilizes computer technology and a team of conversion specialists to provide vast quantities of archived historical information previously available only in microformat, hard copy or as images only. Diverse primary source materials reflecting broad views across American history and culture have been assembled into comprehensive databases. Developed by dedicated instructors and students of Americana, these databases allow access to the rich store of materials from leading books, newspapers and periodicals then current. Accessible Archives will continue to add titles covering important topics and time periods to assist scholars and students at all academic levels. Accessible Archives has retained Unlimited Priorities LLC as its exclusive sales and marketing agent.

Visit Accessible Archives’ blog: http://www.accessible-archives.com/blog/

Contacts:

Tom Nagy, COO
Accessible Archives, Inc.
866-296-1488
tnagy@accessible.com
www.accessible-archives.com

Iris L. Hanney, President
Unlimited Priorities LLC
239-549-2384
iris.hanney@unlimitedpriorities.com
www.unlimitedpriorities.com

Findmypast.com Announces Partnership with Federation of Genealogical Societies

Partnership makes records available to findmypast.com and creates a vital source of revenue for local societies.

Findmypast.com, an international leader in online family history research, today announced a national partnership with Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) to preserve, digitize and provide access to local records from genealogical societies across the country.

The collaborative initiative will help preserve genealogical records and provide a vital revenue stream for the societies. Throughout the remainder of 2012, findmypast.com will release records from the following pilot partners:

• New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, the most authoritative source for research on New York families
• Illinois State Genealogical Society
• Williamson County (Texas) Genealogical Society

“As we aggressively grow our business in the U.S., we are looking to form partnerships that benefit both the genealogical community and findmypast.com,” said Chris van der Kuyl, CEO of brightsolid, the parent company for findmypast. “This partnership will benefit our customers by giving them access to records that can’t be found anywhere else and participating societies will receive royalties for record images viewed.”

Federation of Genealogical Societies Announces New Website

More Than a New Look . . . An Engaging New Site for FGS Members and the Genealogy Community

August 29, 2012 – Austin, TX. The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announces the debut of its newly revamped website to better serve FGS member societies and the genealogical community. The new site, accessible at http://www.fgs.org, is ready in time for the upcoming FGS 2012 Conference in Birmingham, Alabama August 29 – September 1, 2012.

Based on the EasyNetSites platform (http://www.easynetsites.com), the new website ensures that FGS will be able to deliver timely and relevant content to its FGS member society leaders related to society management and trends in the genealogy industry.

Features include:

• Content organized based upon the FGS tagline “Learn, Connect, Succeed.”

• Members-Only content including back issues of FGS FORUM and Discussion Boards for genealogy society leaders to ask questions and exchange ideas about a variety of society management issues.

• Access various members-only review programs to review society by-laws, websites and newsletters.

• Free downloads including the FGS Voice archives as well as the Society Strategy Papers in PDF format.

In addition, FGS will implement a new on-line voting system later this year via its new website for the FGS Annual Elections.

FGS President Pat Oxley, in reviewing the improvements and added features, states: “There is an emphasis on providing more features for our members in the Members-Only Area. This includes the ability to submit events to the FGS Events Calendar and using the new Discussion Boards to exchange ideas on how to improve genealogy societies. I know that our members will be happy with not only the new layout and organization of the site, but the access to content and programs that FGS has always been known for in relation to genealogy society management.”

FGS members and the public are encouraged to visit http://www.fgs.org and explore the new FGS website.

FGS Announces New Publication - Bylaws Workbook: A Handbook for New & Established Societies

Bylaws Workbook: A Handbook for New & Established Societies, Second Edition

August 22, 2012 – Austin, TX. The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announces the publication of the second edition of Bylaws Workbook: A Handbook for New & Established Societies, compiled by Marcia S. Lindley and revised by Roberta “Bobbi” King.

This workbook is designed to help societies create successful bylaws that prevent confusion, dissension, and disagreement. Whether large or small, new or established, societies can use this guide in planning, drafting, and implementing bylaws that guarantee a smooth-running organization. Whether a society realizes it or not, the most important document for its members is the bylaws. It is the only document that tells the members how the society is supposed to function.

The authors draw from their extensive experience in bylaws reviews and revisions to provide step-by-step guidance on all aspects of bylaws development, including detailed examples. They show genealogical societies as well as historical societies and family associations how to:

• Construct a solid bylaws plan

• Select the most appropriate bylaws language and format

• Utilize new technology for voting and board meetings

• Develop policy and procedure manuals

• Handle disciplinary actions quickly and competently

• Research considerations for incorporating

The book is available for purchase at Amazon.com ($4.99 + s/h). Copies of the book will be on display at the upcoming FGS 2012 Conference, Indians, Squatters, Settlers and Soldiers in the "Old Southwest" – to be held in Birmingham, Alabama 29 August to 1 September, 2012. Learn more at http://www.fgs.org.

About the Authors

Marcia S. Lindley, an active member of the Arizona State Genealogical Society, has served a variety of positions including president, vice president, director and member of the Editorial Board. She was responsible for leading a group of society members in an extensive review of their bylaws. She is a staff attorney with the Court of Appeals of the State of Arizona and holds degrees in history and law.

Roberta "Bobbi" King was for several years a member of the FGS board of directors as well as serving as Vice-President of Administration and parliamentarian. King is a member of the bylaws committee and the bylaws review committee, for which she has reviewed dozens of society bylaws. She is associated with several Colorado genealogical societies, as well as a member of the National Genealogical Society and the Association of Professional Genealogists. She was recipient of the APGQ Award of Excellence in 2008.

FGS Debuts New FGS 2012 Conference App

FEDERATION OF GENEALOGICAL SOCIETIES DEBUTS CONFERENCE APP

Offers Updated Information On FGS 2012 Conference

August 20, 2012 – Austin, TX. The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announces the debut of its free mobile application for the upcoming FGS 2012 Conference, Indians, Squatters, Settlers and Soldiers in the "Old Southwest" – to be held in Birmingham, Alabama 29 August to 1 September, 2012.

Based on the Guidebook app platform, the FGS 2012 Conference app provides smart phone and mobile device users with an easy way track all the exciting events and happenings at one of the largest genealogy events of the year.

With the FGS 2012 Conference app, users can:

• Look up the entire FGS 2012 conference schedule including Librarians’ Day and Vendor Demonstrations.

• Check on exhibitor information and locate those vendors to visit in the Exhibit Hall.

• View Speaker biographies as well as session numbers.

• Use maps of the venue including all floors of the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex.

• View FGS 2012 Facebook page status updates and the FGS 2012 Twitter feed.

• Create a personal schedule using the To Do List function.

Visit http://guidebook.com/getit/ to learn more about accessing the FGS 2012 Conference app for iOS, Blackberry, Windows 7 and Android devices. Once the Guidebook application is loaded, search for “FGS” to load the FGS/AGS 2012 event.

Learn More and Stay Connected

• Visit the Conference News Blog: http://www.fgsconferenceblog.org

• Follow the Conference on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/fgs2012 and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/fgs2012

• Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau at http://www.birminghamal.org

FGS Radio: How to Make Your Genealogy Speaker Happy

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Saturday, August 18, 2012
2-3pm Eastern US
1-2pm Central US
12-1pm Mountain US
11am-12pm Pacific US

Join us for the next episode of FGS Radio - My Society, an Internet radio show on Blog talk Radio presented by the Federation of Genealogical Societies.

This week’s episode hosted by Randy Whited is entitled How to Keep Your Genealogy Speaker Happy. Our guests this week will be none other than the Genealogy Guys, Drew Smith and George Morgan, genealogy speakers extraordinaire. Join us as we discuss the proper care and feeding of your society speakers and what it takes to keep everyone happy. In anticipation of FGS 2012, we will also be featuring FGS member society Alabama Genealogical Society in our weekly Society Spotlight feature.

Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

Join Us Each Saturday Afternoon at FGS Radio

Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

In Memoriam Kim Kasprzyk - Former FGS Treasurer and Director Passes

August 7, 2012 – Austin, TX. The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Kim Kasprzyk former FGS Treasurer, FGS Director and Illinois State Genealogical Society (ISGS) board member who died on Sunday, August 5, 2012, surrounded by her family. Services will be held in Libertyville, Illinois beginning on Wednesday, August 8, 2012. Please see Kim’s obituary for more details.

At FGS, Kim was instrumental in the success of the FGS 2011 conference held in Springfield, Illinois when she served as Registrar for the conference. According to Pat Oxley, President of FGS, “Kim was so efficient, conscientious and even-tempered through the whole process. She worked in parallel with Cath Trindle, our out-going Treasurer in training to be our new Treasurer. Kim was willing to help with any task put before her. I cannot say enough about what a warm, wonderful person she was and how much I loved working with her.”

At ISGS, Kim was the Newsletter Editor since 2008 and was also responsible for maintaining the society’s Military Certificates program.

Kim was passionate about family history and when asked to describe herself, her work and what mattered most, she said:

Genealogy has been a part of my life for over 22 years, way before computers and the luxury of doing research in the comfort of my own home. Since then my “addiction” consumes almost as much time as a full time job. Besides trying to do my own research I’m active in the Illinois State Genealogical Society, the German Interest Group of Wisconsin and I run the Cook County, Illinois GenWeb page. My real full time job is as a nurse auditor in the emergency room at a local hospital. I’m married to a musician and have 4 step-children and 3 step-grandchildren. Besides genealogy I enjoy travel, weaving, gardening and reading.

The FGS and ISGS organizations, as well as the entire genealogy community, will miss Kim including her smile and her passion about genealogy. Her contributions to family history will live on through her good works and the many lives she touched.

About the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS)

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) was founded in 1976 and represents the members of hundreds of genealogical societies. FGS links the genealogical community by helping genealogical societies strengthen and grow through resources available online, FGS Forum magazine (filled with articles pertaining to society management and genealogical news), and Society Strategy Series papers, covering topics about effectively operating a genealogical society. FGS also links the genealogical community through its annual conference -- four days of excellent lectures, including one full day devoted to society management topics. To learn more visit http://www.fgs.org.

FGS 2012 Conference – Are You Excited?

You still have time to get in on all the fun at the upcoming Federation of Genealogical Societies’ 2012 Conference - Indians, Squatters, Settlers and Soldiers in the "Old Southwest" – to be held in Birmingham, Alabama 29 August to 1 September, 2012.

Online registration at http://fgs.org/2012conference closes at 7:00pm Central time on Friday, August 17, 2012 so make sure you act fast!

What Was The “Old Southwest?”

The Old Southwest stretched west of the Appalachians and south of the Ohio. Home to many tribes of Indians, the Settlers came to these parts from the Old World and the “Original”13” who liked what they saw and stayed. Squatters were those who passed through on their way to places with “more elbow room,” or a new start, or pushing on toward the great West and the Soldiers who fought in the wars.

Come find your ancestors who traveled in “these parts”. Over 160 different educational sessions and exhibitors from all over the United States provide a great venue to learn and network with researchers just like you.

Findmypast Day - New Event Just Announced!

On Saturday, September 1st, Platinum sponsor will be hosting Findmypast Day at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. This special event is for those wanting to learn a few family history basics and for anyone interested in discovering how to use findmypast.com as a resource to extend their family tree. Tickets are $20; register online at http://www.fgs.org/findmypastDay).

Special Events, Exhibit Hall and Door Prizes!

While you are registering, don’t forget that there are many different events during the FGS 2012 conference:

• AGS Opening Social – Wednesday, August 29th. Presented by the Alabama Genealogical Society, tap your foot to great music of Bobby Horton in the grandeur of the Alabama Theater, the Great Showplace of the South. Transportation provided by FamilySearch. Click here to learn more./li>
  

• FGS Evening Social – Thursday, August 30th. Join us for an evening of adventure at Birmingham's Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark. Enjoy some Southern BBQ and tour the historic sites on this 32-acre interpretive museum. Attendees will be able to witness a private iron pouring. Sponsored by FamilySearch and FGS. Click here to learn more.

• Extended Exhibit Hall Hours – Friday, August 31st. The place to meet with over 77 vendors and 140 booths, you’ll find a variety of genealogy-related products and services. Hours extended until 8:00pm on Friday evening. Starting at 6:00 pm, FGS President Pat Oxley will be in the Exhibit Hall with her parade of prizes, so there should lots of fun and excitement. Vendors will be giving out great prizes including an iPad from FamilySearch, a Flip-Pal mobile scanner from Flip-Pal, as well as a Rootstech registration. Remember, all participants must be present to win so be sure to be there. The food vendors will also be open that evening, selling lots of great tasting eats.

• A 1940 US Census Celebration! – Friday, August 31st. Come join us at the 1940 Census Project booth for fun, food and prizes as we celebrate all the great achievements of those who helped with the 1940 US Census Community Indexing Project. There will be fun activities, prizes and food! Individuals and societies will be recognized for their contributions to the 1940 US Census.

• Grand Prize Drawing – Friday, August 31st. During the extended Exhibit Hall hours on Friday evening, we’ll hold the grand prize drawing for a super prize! Platinum Sponsor FamilySearch is once again supplying a trip to Salt Lake City to research at the famed Family History Library. The prize includes airfare for two and one week's stay at the Plaza Hotel (right next door to the library) provided by Bronze Sponsor the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel.

Already Registered? Here’s How To Add Events

If you’ve already registered for the FGS 2012 conference, then thank you and we can’t wait to see you in Birmingham! You can still purchase tickets for any of the events above including the luncheons. Here’s how:

Return to the registration page (https://www.fgs.org/acs/index.php), enter your email address, and then when it asks for your Password/PIN, enter the PIN you received in the confirmation email when you registered. Then keep clicking Next to follow the pages to add the events you want to attend. Review your order, check out and your tickets will be waiting for you when you register!

Learn More and Stay Connected

• Visit the Conference News Blog: http://www.fgsconferenceblog.org

• Follow the Conference on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/fgs2012 and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/fgs2012

• Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau at http://www.birminghamal.org

Copyright Resources for Genealogy Societies

Here is a list of some of the resources covered during today's episode of FGS Radio entitled Copyright and Your Genealogy Society:

• Is It Protected By Copyright? A Digital Slider from the American Library Association: http://librarycopyright.net/resources/digitalslider/

• Copyright & Genealogy. A resource list from the Association of Professional Genealogists: http://www.apgen.org/resources/copyright.html

• The Legal Genealogist. Website and blog dealing with copyright and other legal issues by Judy G. Russell^CG: http://www.legalgenealogist.com

• Copy Right. Copy Sense. A resource of articles about copyright for genealogists: http://www.pddoc.com/copyright/index.html

• Copyright for Genealogists. An article at Family Tree Magazine by Sharon DeBartolo Carmack: http://www.familytreemagazine.com/article/copyright-for-genealogists/ 

• Cyndi's List: Copyright. Resources for copyright and intellectual property: http://www.cyndislist.com/ip/copyright-in-genealogy/

• Copyrights & Wrongs. An article by Mark Howells: http://www.oz.net/~markhow/writing/copy.htm

• Copyright Clarity: How Fair Use Supports Digital Learning. A resource site by Renee Hobbs geared towards educators, but lots of good information for genealogy societies: http://mediaeducationlab.com/copyright/

FGS Radio: Copyright and Your Genealogy Society

Click here to create a reminder to listen to FGS Radio:

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Saturday, August 4, 2012
2-3pm Eastern US
1-2pm Central US
12-1pm Mountain US
11am-12pm Pacific US

Join us for the next episode of FGS Radio - My Society, an Internet radio show on Blog talk Radio presented by the Federation of Genealogical Societies.

This week’s episode hosted by Randy Whited is entitled Copyright and Your Genealogy Society. Still not sure what images or content you can use for genealogy society projects? What about indexing records and other genealogy-related material? Get some answers and some tips on copyright from FGS board member and noted genealogy blogger Thomas MacEntee. We’ll also discuss various copyright issues that confront genealogy societies including how to monitor and protect a society’s publications as well as online content. We will also be featuring FGS member society Honolulu County Genealogical Society in our weekly Society Spotlight feature.

Guest: Thomas MacEntee

When he’s not busy writing blog posts, organizing the 2500+ members of GeneaBloggers (http://www.geneabloggers.com), teaching online genealogy webinars and more, Thomas MacEntee is busy in his role as “genealogy ninja.” Stealth is not easy, but he manages to get the inside track on emerging technologies and vendors as they relate to the genealogy industry. After being laid off from a 25-year career in the tech industry in 2008, Thomas has been able to “repurpose” his skill set for the genealogy community and loves to see other genealogists succeed, whether it is with their own research or building their own careers in the field.

Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

Join Us Each Saturday Afternoon at FGS Radio

Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

FGS Radio: Scan It and Share It - Digitization Projects for Your Society

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http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mysociety/2012/07/21/scan-it-and-share-it-digitization-projects-for-your-society

Saturday, July 21, 2012
2-3pm Eastern US
1-2pm Central US
12-1pm Mountain US
11am-12pm Pacific US

Join us for the next episode of FGS Radio - My Society, an Internet radio show on Blog talk Radio presented by the Federation of Genealogical Societies.

This week’s episode hosted by Randy Whited is entitled Scan It and Share It - Digitization Projects for Your Society. Our guest will be Gary Ward, President and Program chairman for the Lockport Area Genealogical and Historical Society. We will be discussing how to get started in a digitization project for your society, from content selection to indexing and hosting. We will also be featuring FGS member society Farmington (MI) Genealogical Society in our weekly Society Spotlight feature.

Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

Join Us Each Saturday Afternoon at FGS Radio

Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

FGS 2012 Conference Hosts Legendary Bluegrass Musician Bobby Horton

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) proudly announces the appearance of legendary bluegrass musician Bobby Horton during its annual conference in Birmingham, Alabama, scheduled for August 29 - September 1, 2012. Birmingham-native Horton, who is best known for his Civil War-era music and his collaboration with Ken Burns, producer of the Civil War documentary, will appear at the historic Alabama Theatre on Wednesday evening, August 29, 2012.

This event, sponsored by FamilySearch and presented by the Alabama Genealogical Society, is available only to FGS 2012 Conference attendees. Tickets are $25 per person and include comfortable motor coach transportation to the theatre, light refreshments, and the Bobby Horton concert.

Upon arrival at the historic Alabama Theater which was built in 1927, guests will enjoy light refreshments in the spacious lobby and view the grandeur of one of the few remaining iconic theaters in America. The program will begin with organ music played on the mighty Wurlitzer Organ and a short film about the history of the Alabama Theatre. The main attraction will feature an evening of music with Birmingham native Bobby Horton. Horton is well-known in historic music circles for his thirty-five year career performing with the musical-comedy trio "Three on a String." He is probably best known however, for producing thirty-one music scores for PBS, A & E Network and the National Park Service, most notably, two PBS hit film series by Ken Burns, The Civil War and Baseball. Horton specializes in recording authentic period music and attendees will have a delightful evening in this historic setting.

Visit the FGS 2012 Conference website at http://www.fgs.org/2012conference to register for the conference and to purchase your tickets to this exciting event!

About the FGS 2012 Conference

This year’s conference theme is “Indians, Squatters, Settlers and Soldiers in the ‘Old Southwest’,” and the local host is the Alabama Genealogical Society (AGS).

This year's FGS conference offers an exciting opportunity for anyone interested in researching their family history. Over 175 educational sessions and 13 luncheons are designed to balance the needs of genealogists at all levels, exploring a variety of records, strategies, and other tools available to those interested in researching their family history. Special sessions include a wide variety targeting members and leaders of genealogical and historical societies. Other special events will include the FGS Evening Social at the historic Sloss Furnaces, Spotlight on Societies, and daily sponsored lectures provide an excellent environment to meet and network with others interested in family history and genealogy.

There are more activities and research opportunities too numerous to list. However, you can learn all about the 2012 FGS Conference and register for this exciting four-day event at http://www.fgs.org/2012conference. Be sure to also visit or subscribe to the FGS Conference Blog at http://www.fgsconferenceblog.org for more information and travel advice. We look forward to seeing you in Birmingham in August!

Learn More and Stay Connected

• Visit the Conference News Blog: http://www.fgsconferenceblog.org

• Follow the Conference on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/fgs2012 and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/fgs2012

• Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau at http://www.birminghamal.org

Display Your Society’s Brochure at the FGS 2012 Conference

The FGS 2012 Conference in Birmingham, Alabama, is drawing closer. This year’s event will take place from August 29th to September 1st, 2012. If your society is interested in having brochures available for attendees, but you’re not planning to purchase a table in the exhibit hall, you can ship copies for display on the Societies Literature Table.

Please ship your brochures to the following address for arrival between August 1st-15th. Please mark the exterior of the boxes “FOR SOCIETY LITERATURE TABLE” to make sure your materials are delivered to the conference venue and properly displayed.

Special Collection
University Library
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35229

We look forward to having your society represented at this year’s FGS Conference!

FGS Announces $135,000 Donation to War of 1812 Pension Project

Estate of Jon Stedman To Help Digitize Important Family History Records

June 25, 2012 – Austin, TX. The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announces the donation of a generous gift in the amount of $135,000 from the estate of the late Jon Stedman in memory of his mother, Ardath Stedman. The donation to the Preserve the Pensions – War of 1812 Pension Digitization Fund will be used to help preserve and digitize War of 1812 Pension records.

Hollace Hervey, executrix of the estate, indicated that Jon Stedman was "always interested in preservation and bringing information to the front" so genealogists could more easily use it. Besides caring passionately for facilitating genealogists doing good research, Stedman had a deep love and affection for his mother who was a genealogist in her own right. The Preserve the Pensions project is just such a preservation and access endeavor, and FGS is honored in receiving this generous donation.

The $135,000 donation is a significant lead gift to the Preserve the Pensions project as FGS ramps up its fundraising efforts during the bicentennial of the War of 1812 which started on June 18, 2012. Members of the genealogy and family history communities as well as the general public are invited to learn more about this important record preservation project by visiting the Preserve the Pensions website at www.fgs.org/1812 and assist with honoring our nation’s heritage by preserving the records of our past.

About the Preserve the Pensions – War of 1812 Pension Digitization Fund

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) is committed to projects such as Preserve the Pensions – War of 1812 Pension Digitization Fund that link the genealogical community by advancing the cause of preserving records and making them more accessible to the public.

In conjunction with the National Archives & Records Administration (www.archives.gov), fold3 (www.fold3.com) and Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com). FGS is helping to digitize 180,000 pension applications representing an estimated 7.2 million pages of War of 1812 Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files. The collection will be available for free on fold3’s website at www.fold3.com/title_761/war_of_1812_pension_files/.

The multi-year project consists of scanning the pension files at the National Archives in Washington D.C. and creating a searchable index to the digital images. FGS has targeted the War of 1812 Pension Applications as a high priority project based on the value of the content for genealogists as well as the importance of preserving the fragile records.

FGS is proud to be leading the national fundraising to support this project and is actively seeking donations from genealogical and historical societies, patriotic and military heritage societies, as well as interested corporations and individuals. Ancestry.com and fold3 are providing a dollar-for-dollar match of each donation through a provision of services. To learn more and contribute to the Preserve the Pensions project, visit www.fgs.org/1812.

About the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS)

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) was founded in 1976 and represents the members of hundreds of genealogical societies. FGS links the genealogical community by helping genealogical societies strengthen and grow through resources available online, FGS Forum magazine (filled with articles pertaining to society management and genealogical news), and Society Strategy Series papers, covering topics about effectively operating a genealogical society. FGS also links the genealogical community through its annual conference -- four days of excellent lectures, including one full day devoted to society management topics. To learn more visit http://www.fgs.org.

Nominations for FGS Youth Award Due July 15, 2012

The FGS Outreach Committee is accepting nominations for The FGS 2012 Youth Award, which honors volunteers under the age of 18 who have made a significant contribution to an FGS member society. The award will be presented during the opening sessions at the FGS Conference in Birmingham, Alabama. Award recipient will receive complimentary registration for the FGS 2012 Conference along with other prizes.

Nominees must be affiliated with an FGS member society, and be eighteen or younger as of July 15, 2012.

Nominations should be submitted via email to fgsoutreach@fgs.org by July 15, 2012 and include the following:

• The society and contact information (include the society president and/or FGS delegate)

• The youth’s name and contact information.

• A brief description of the youth’s contribution to your society

FGS Radio: Legal and Tax Considerations for Your Genealogical Society

Click here to create a reminder to listen to FGS Radio:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mysociety/2012/06/23/legal-and-tax-considerations-for-your-genealogical-society

Saturday, June 23, 2012
2-3pm Eastern US
1-2pm Central US
12-1pm Mountain US
11am-12pm Pacific US

Join us for the next episode of FGS Radio - My Society, an Internet radio show on Blog talk Radio presented by the Federation of Genealogical Societies.

This week’s episode hosted by Randy Whited is entitled Legal and Tax Considerations for Your Genealogy Society. Our guest will be Frederick E. Moss, JD, LL.M., advisor to the Board of Directors of the Federation of Genealogical Societies and former Associate Dean and Professor of Law at Texas Wesleyan University School of Law. We will be discussing tax and legal challenges that may face your society as well as take your questions on air. Christy Fillerup, Director of the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), will spend some time during the second segment to discuss the next institute to be held in January 2013. We will also be featuring FGS member society Otoe County Genealogical Society in our weekly Society Spotlight feature.

Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

Join Us Each Saturday Afternoon at FGS Radio

Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

A War of 1812 Pension and 1940 Census Mashup!

[Editor's Note: this post originally appeared at the 1940 Census Community Project blog at https://the1940census.com/blog/]

Recently the news featured the death of one of the last remaining persons still receiving a Civil War Pension: Stella Mae Case died on June 10, 2012 at the age of 94 and was still collecting a pension based on her father John Harwood Pierce’s service.  To see how many other pensions are still being paid here is a list of Veterans of U.S. Wars and Their Dependents.

Did you know that the last person receiving a War of 1812 pension was still living as late as 1946 and can be found in the 1940 census?

The Last Survivors of the War of 1812

Hiram Cronk, the last veteran of the War of 1812, died in 1905 at the age of 105 and enrolled in the United States Army at age 14. You can click below to view a video clip of his funeral which was a major event in New York City.



And the last widow of a War of 1812 veteran - Lydia Kimble Graham - died in West Virginia in 1936 at the age of 97.

Esther Hill Morgan – Last War of 1812 Pensioner – Still Living in 1946

News articles in 1946 mentioned the fact that a War of 1812 pension was still being paid:

It was 130 years ago that John Hill, private in Clark and McCumber's Companies, New York Militia, came home from the war and hung up his trusty rifle. 

A daughter, Esther Ann Hill Morgan, 88, Independence, Ore., still receives a $20-a-month pension from the Federal Government, under a special congressional act, passed in 1927. 

She is the only person receiving a pension on account of service of a soldier in the war of 1812.

Source: Pension Still Paid for War of 1812,  The Binghamton Press, Wednesday, January 16, 1946 via Fulton History.

Morgan died less than two months after the publication of the article, on March 13, 1946, in Dallas, Polk County, Oregon. See Find-A-Grave Memorial 61212052 for Esther Ann Hill Morgan, 1857 – 1946. View Esther Ann Hill Morgan in the 1940 Census here on line 35:

Click to enlarge

Source citation: 1940 U.S. census, Polk County, Oregon, Independece City, population schedule, enumeration district (ED) 27-23, sheet 2A, dwelling (blank), household no. 32, Esther Ann Morgan and family; digital image, Archives.gov (http://1940census.archives.gov: accessed 20 June 2012); citing National Archive microfilm publication T627, roll 3378).

* * *

Oregon is just one of 24 states already indexed in the 1940 Census (See https://familysearch.org/1940census/ for an interactive map of states indexed and which states still need to be indexed).  You can help make it easier for others to find their ancestors and family members in the 1940 Census by becoming a volunteer indexer with the 1940 US Census Community project – sign up here.

And don’t forget that the War of 1812 Pension records are a vital source for genealogy and family history research in dire need of preservation! You can do your part by making a donation of any size to the Preserve the Pensions project (http://www.fgs.org/1812) today. In fact, if you use this link to donate through the Illinois State Genealogical Society, you can have your donation matched and help digitize even more War of 1812 Pension records!  These records – some are now available at Fold3 (http://www.fold3.com/title_761/war_of_1812_pension_files/) – will be kept free and available to the public with your help!