30 August 2013

Bargain Alert: National Archives Online Genealogy Fair September 3 & 4

This is not a program of SCGS but is is such a wonderful opportunity that we wanted to let you know about it.
  
National Archives Virtual Genealogy Fair 
September 3 & 4, 2013  


UPDATE 31 Aug: Hack Genealogy prepared an outstanding guide to this webcast. Check it out for a step-by-step guide: http://hackgenealogy.com/national-archives-virtual-genealogy-fair-2013-infographic-guide/


Link provided by NARA: http://www.archives.gov/dc-metro/know-your-records/genealogy-fair/ 

WHAT: National Archives Virtual Genealogy Fair. For the first time ever, the National Archives will host a virtual Genealogy Fair with live lectures and chat via a call-in genealogy help line and the website UStream (http://www.archives.gov/global-pages/exit.html?link=http://www.ustream.tv/usnationalarchives). 
  • Genealogy Help Line: Call with your genealogy questions during the fair. National Archives staff in Washington, DC, will be available from 1 to 4 p.m. eastern daylight time (EDT) on September 3 and 4 on our special hotline at 202-357-5420. (Toll free at 1-855-309-8404) You may also email us at inquire@nara.gov, or call our Washington, DC, Customer Service Center telephone during regular business hours at 1-866-325-7208. 
WHEN: September 3 & 4, 2013 (see schedule at http://www.archives.gov/dc-metro/know-your-records/genealogy-fair/#schedule)

WHO: Speakers include genealogy experts from the National Archives and U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services.

HOW: The National Archives will host the virtual Genealogy Fair via webcast using the website UStream and a call-in genealogy help line. Recorded sessions will be available online after the event. Closed captioning and American sign language interpreters are part of the broadcast.

WHERE: The National Archives will host the live lectures via webcast on UStream.

SCHEDULE: times listed in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) Genealogy Help Line Schedule: Call in during the fair, from 1 to 4 p.m. (EDT) at 202-357-5420.

For more information about the fair, e-mail KYR@nara.gov. 

Join the Genealogy Fair conversation on Twitter using #genfair2013.

29 August 2013

Bargain Alert: MyHeritage.com US Census Records FREE through September 2


Labor Day weekend going to be a great time for research.

MyHeritage.com announces that their U.S. Census Record collection will be available FREE through end of day Monday, September 2.

For all the details, see the MyHeritage blog post at:

http://blog.myheritage.com/2013/08/labor-day-free-access-to-all-us-census-records

Happy Hunting!

Bargain Alert: Ancestry.com Immigration Collection Free through September 2

Ancestry.com is offering free access to its extensive collection of immigration and travel records through US Labor Day, Monday, September 2.  Free access to immigration and travel records ends
September 2, 2013 at midnight ET.


Take some of that day off to search for the ancestors that "jumped the pond."

You can find all the details at http://www.ancestry.com/cs/us/immigration.

Good Luck finding those immigrant ancestors!

28 August 2013

SCGS Meeting Notice - The Master Genealogist - September 7

SCGS TMG User Group Meeting
Saturday, September 7, 2013
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Location:
Southern California Genealogical Society Family Research Library
417 Irving Drive
Burbank, California  91504
818-843-7247


The SCGS TMG User Group (TMG-UG) is a forum where users of The Master Genealogist® (TMG) software gather to discuss features, issues, and practical application of the “the gold standard in family history software” and its companion software, Second Site©.

The TMG-UG meetings are held at the Southern California Genealogical Society Family Research Library in Burbank. The SCGS TMG User Group meets monthly on the afternoon of the first Saturday of the month with the exception of holiday weekends and dates of special SCGS events.  Please check the SCGS calendar for updates.

Our meeting format generally consists of a meet-and-greet period, questions from new attendees, a question-and-answer session, and a presentation, usually given by Patt Ricketts, SCGS member and TMG user since 1997.

The TMG User Group is an interest group of the Southern California Genealogical Society.  Meetings are open to the general public.  There is no fee for participation.  Donations are gratefully accepted.

If you are a TMG user or are thinking about moving your data to TMG, why not join us?  Bring your questions about TMG functionality, importing data from other software, and “how to” with you and learn how TMG can meet all of your genealogical software needs.

The SCGS Library is not open for research during the meeting.

Please direct any questions to kinklector@gmail.com.

07 August 2013

Southern California Genealogical Society: Change in Member Benefits Announced

The Southern California Genealogical Society offers a number of benefits for its members, ranging from discounts on research assistance and publications, to a number of online resources, including its webinar archive and free use of paid databases.

Remote Access to World Vital Records Added

Good News! Remote access to World Vital Records (WVR) has been added to the list of member benefits of the Southern California Genealogical Society. As of July 30, all members are able to access the valuable online resource from home, day or night. A full-price annual subscription to World Vital Records is $89.95 but can be used from home as part of an SCGS annual membership, which can be purchased for as little as $35.

Through World Vital Records, members can search over 5 billion family history and genealogy records and 28 million family trees.  Key collections include U.S. Federal Census images from 1790 to 1940, military records, 1 billion newspaper articles, and many other special local and world databases.

To access the WVR resources remotely, members should go to the SCGS website (www.scgsgenealogy.com), log in as a member (click the red rectangular button on the upper right on the screen and then log in), and click the World Vital Records graphic. If you have any difficulties, please drop an email to scgs@scgsgenealogy.com and put "World Vital Records Help" in the subject line. 


Access NewspaperARCHIVE remote access cancelled by ProQuest

Unfortunately, we have been notified by ProQuest that societies’ remote-access subscriptions to Access NewspaperARCHIVE will end as of August 31, 2013.

This change reflects a recent policy decision by the ProQuest's management – a decision made over our strong objections. Therefore, we will no longer be able to offer remote use of Access NewspaperARCHIVE as a benefit to our members after August 31. We encourage everyone to take advantage of the remaining time to do as much research as possible.  If you encounter any issues using the resource, send an email to scgs@scgsgenealogy.com and put "NewspaperArchive Help" in the subject line.

We are very disappointed that this valuable benefit had ended. We know that it was a very popular benefit and wish that ProQuest had not made the decision to end remote access for all societies and institutions.

World Vital Records’ large and popular collection of databases will continue to be available for onsite patron use in the SCGS Family Research Library in Burbank, as will Access NewspaperARCHIVE.

Our members enjoy a number of other benefits, including 24/7 access to over 70 hours of genealogical instruction from the Jamboree Webinar Series, discounts on purchase of all SCGS publications and programs, discounts on Research Team assistance (German, French-Canadian, and general). Be assured that in the future our society to continue efforts to expand benefits for members in Southern California and far away.

01 August 2013

Legacy User Group - August 12 - SCGS Burbank


Legacy User Group

Monday, August 12, 2013
7:00-9:00 pm
Southern California Genealogical Society Library
417 Irving Drive
Burbank, CA 91504
818.843.7247

Our Theme: “Back To The Basics”

Whether you are a beginner or an expert, the Legacy Family Tree User Group is a forum to learn the basics of using this software program, answer questions to further your knowledge and efficiency and, to assist others with your expertise.

This month we will explore census records including the pre-1850 records and review the source clipboard. As always, there will be time to practice and review the new skills as well as ask questions.  You may want to bring your laptop or tablet to practice the skills and explore Legacy’s capabilities.

If you are considering Legacy Family Tree, the user group is a great way to explore the program to assist in your decision to use it or not.  All levels of ability are welcome to participate!

No rsvp is needed.  E-mail Barb Randall for more information at barbmran@aol.com.