A genealogy research reference collection for public use is being assembled at Brunswick Community College.

The initial donated books are from Brunswick Town Chapter National Society Daughters of the Revolution.

“We’re very pleased about this collaboration with BCC,” said Brunswick Town Chapter NSDAR Regent Mary Sands. “Interest in genealogy has obviously grown exponentially. We see that in the increasing interest in joining DAR by locals as well as residents who have moved here from other parts of the country.”

Patrons will be able to view and scan pages from books in the collection. BCC has made available a large flatbed scanner, desks, chairs and bookshelves. Public contributions to the room are also welcomed.

You can read more in an article in the WWAY News web site at: https://tinyurl.com/mut5czbh.

The  following announcement was written by the folks at Findmypast:

We're honouring Irish history this St Patrick's Day weekend. If you've got roots in the Emerald Isle, you may find a familiar name or two amongst this week's 992,000 new records.

Explore three new 18th-century sets - Protestant Householders, Dissenters' Petitions and the 1766 Religious Census - as well as new Belfast and Ulster Directory records and over 174,000 historical newspaper pages.

This week's new additions offer an unparralelled glimpse into 18th-century Irish history. From Antrim to Armagh, read on for a full rundown all that's been added this Findmypast Friday.

Ireland, 1766 Religious Census

This week's biggest new set consists of 20,505 transcriptions from the 1766 Religious Census. Although the original documents were lost when Ireland's Public Records Office was destroyed in 1922, these extensive transcripts were recorded by antiquarian and genealogist Tenison Groves prior to the fire.

From these records, you may be able to learn the name of the head of the household, the year, their religion, the parish and the county. The information recorded varies widely, because different enumerators recorded different details.

Ireland, Census of Protestant Householders 1740

Secondly, we've also added transcriptions of a census that was taken of Protestant householders in 1740. The 15,957 records within this new set are from parishes in the counties of Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Donegal, Down and Tyrone.

Map of Ireland, c.1716.

Also created by Tenison Groves, these transcriptions contain details like a name, year, barony, parish and county. 

Ireland, 1775 Dissenters' Petitions

This week's third and final new set is a collection of historic petition records. It contains approximately 4,000 names, of people who protested the Church of Ireland's sacramental tests in 1775. The petitions consist of dissenters' names categorized by parish, congregation, town, neighbourhood, or, in one case, barony. 

Occasionally, members of the Established Church also signed the petitions. The lists typically specify whether signatories were dissenters or Established Church members. In cases where no denomination is indicated, the list contained names of both dissenters and Established Church members without differentiation.

While available for all Northern Ireland counties except Fermanagh, these records are most extensive for areas in Counties Antrim and Down.

Belfast & Ulster Directories

In addition to the three brand new Irish record sets, we've also made a significant update to an existing Irish collection. We added 951,127 Belfast and Ulster directory records, with both transcriptions and original images available for you to explore. 

These new additions span 1831 to 1900, and contain over 900,000 names. With almost 70 years of history covered, they offer a detailed glimpse into what the North of Ireland was like in the 19th century. 

New pages from Windsor to Woodford

We added a brand new publication - the Brighouse Echo - to our newspaper archive this week. 

The Brighouse Echo, 8 January 1892.

We've also updated 57 of our existing titles, with a grand total of 174,403 new historical pages added.

Here's a full rundown of all that's been added to the newspaper archive this Findmypast Friday.

New title:

• Brighouse Echo, 1887-1892, 1970, 1980-1983

Updated titles:

• Alloa Journal, 1917
• Banffshire Advertiser, 1917
• Banffshire Herald, 1917
• Barrhead News, 1917
• Biggleswade Chronicle, 1891-1895, 1959-1966
• Brechin Advertiser, 1962-1965, 1967-1969, 1971-1972
• Bromsgrove & Droitwich Messenger, 1916-1917
• Buchan Observer and East Aberdeenshire Advertiser, 1919-1929
• Coalville Times, 1917
• Cumberland & Westmorland Herald, 1917
• Deal, Walmer & Sandwich Mercury, 1990
• Denbighshire Free Press, 1917
• Dominica Chronicle, 1917
• Durham County Advertiser, 1917
• Eastbourne Gazette, 1986
• Essex Weekly News, 1917
• Evening Irish Times, 1917
• Fraserburgh Herald and Northern Counties’ Advertiser, 1990
• Hants and Sussex News, 1917
• Hemel Hempstead Gazette and West Herts Advertiser, 1984, 1988
• Herts Advertiser, 1917
• Hornsey & Finsbury Park Journal, 1917
• Huntly Express, 1917
• Irish Weekly and Ulster Examiner, 1964
• Kent Evening Post, 1973, 1990, 1994, 1998
• Kentish Express, 1990-1991, 1994, 1998-1999
• Kentish Gazette, 1990-1991, 1994, 1997, 1999
• Leighton Buzzard Observer and Linslade Gazette, 1905-1908, 1910-1918
• Linlithgowshire Gazette, 1919-1920
• Lowestoft Journal, 1917
• Maidstone Telegraph, 1975, 1978, 1993, 1995-1996, 1998
• Mearns Leader, 1990
• Midland Tribune, 1917
• Montrose Standard, 1964
• Morecambe Visitor, 1975
• Nelson Leader, 1986
• Northern Chronicle and General Advertiser for the North of Scotland, 1917
• Port-Glasgow Express, 1964
• Retford, Worksop, Isle of Axholme and Gainsborough News, 1980
• Richmond and Twickenham Times, 1917
• Ripon Gazette, 1983-1985
• Rugby Advertiser, 1850-1852, 1982, 1986-1987
• Sheerness Times Guardian, 1990, 1999
• Shetland Times, 1948, 1950
• South Notts Echo, 1964
• Southend Standard and Essex Weekly Advertiser, 1917
• St. Andrews Citizen, 1957-1968
• Sydenham, Forest Hill & Penge Gazette, 1964
• Todmorden & District News, 1936-1951, 1980-1984
• Tonbridge Free Press, 1964
• Voice of St. Lucia, 1917
• Volunteer Service Gazette and Military Dispatch, 1917
• Wimbledon News, 1917
• Windsor and Eton Express, 1917
• Wolverton Express, 1964
• Woodford and District Advertiser, 1917
• Woodford Times, 1917

Last week we added a brand new collection of Women's Land Army records, in addition to a new Irish set and some updated Northamptonshire Militia records. Don't miss out - explore the full release for yourself.

Here is an article that is not about any of the "normal" topics of this newsletter: genealogy, history, current affairs, DNA, and related topics. However, it describes a new, useful, and free tool that should appeal to many computer users.

Stashpad, a developer-focused “DM to yourself”-styled notebook app, is now pivoting to a docs app that you can use without logging in. 

While it is a brand-new product, I have been using it for a short while and I like it! I find it to be much more simplistic than Google Docs. However, I think that being simplistic is a good thing. I suspect I will use it more and more.

StashPad Docs is the company’s new offering that doesn’t require any login and supports Markdown formatting. The product is browser first and document history is stored locally, so users can search for docs without querying the server. The company said that while there is no offline support at the moment, it is a feature that the startup will introduce in the future.

The company said that collaboration is a major use case for the docs product as it claims to support real-time interactions with less than 50 milliseconds of delay.

Stashpad is available at: https://www.stashpad.com/. A video that serves as a tutorial is available at: https://youtu.be/9miuaDK0uF8.

The University Library in Poznan has over 3 million volumes in its collection. Not all of them are available only on-site, in the building at Ratajczaka 38/40 in Poznań. Some of them can be found on the... Internet, or more precisely in the Greater Poland Digital Library: https://www.wbc.poznan.pl/.

It is a joint initiative of Poznan's academic community involving scientific and public libraries of the City of Poznan supported by the Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Centre. The premise of the project, ongoing continuously for 20 years, is to create online access to four types of resources: educational (scripts, textbooks and scientific monographs), cultural heritage (selected historical writings), regionalalia (writings on Poznań and Greater Poland) and musicalia (sheet music and writings related to music).

- "It all begins with the selection of materials that we honestly wish to digitise and disseminate, as it is our primary objective," says Jolanta Noskowiak, head of the Resource Protection Division and Digitisation of the University Library in Poznań. "It's a time-consuming process. The materials are often very damaged, and solely, those well-preserved are digitised quickly. Everything depends on the format, too. If the material is prone to tearing or glued together, it can be quite dramatic," continues Jolanta Noskowiak. Frequently, work on a volume has to be paused to enlist the help of the Book Preservation and Restoration.

You can read more in an article in the amu.edu.pl web site at: https://tinyurl.com/3m9uwd2x.

The following book review was written by Bobbi King:

Evidence Explained, Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace
Fourth Edition
by Elizabeth Shown Mills. Genealogical Publishing Co., 2024. 739 pages.   

Some years ago, I was attending a national conference, and I happened to strike up a conversation with Elizabeth Shown Mills. She’s always been most gracious to this beginner genealogist, and as we chatted, I noticed she was wearing two watches on her wrist. (This was back in the day before smartphones when we relied upon our watches or analog timers to time a presentation.) I couldn’t resist, so I asked her why she was wearing two watches. She said, “Machines hate me.” She explained that machines mysteriously quit working whenever she is close by. “Interesting,” I thought. 

We parted ways, and I walked over the room where her presentation was scheduled to be. You always had to get into her lecture rooms early, because they were invariably standing-room only. I attended one of her lectures once, at a four-day conference, when her talk was scheduled as the last lecture of the last day, a death-knell of a time slot, when frazzled conference-goers are usually bugging out the doors to get to the nearest bar in order to escape the last four days of frantic scheduling and the intensities of paying rapt attention.

Anyway, I went into her lecture room and soon, at the appointed time, she was introduced by the introducer and beginning remarks were made. Then she assumed the lecture podium to begin her talk. She opened her talk, overhead slides on high, she speaking and clarifying her points, when suddenly—bonk—her laser pointer died. Dead as a doornail. “Interesting,” I thought.

I see Ms. Mills is continuing her work on clarifying the complexities of smart citation. She explains the intricacies of citations with clarity and precision. Each chapter is structured in an easy-to-understand format, with clear explanations, illustrative examples, and practical tips for implementation.

In “Fundamentals of Research & Analysis,” Ms. Mills sets the stage for a thoughtful and critical approach to genealogical study. In “Fundamentals of Citation & Style,” she offers insights into the underlying principles and rationale for citation practices, emphasizing the ethical importance of honesty, attribution, and integrity in recognizing sources and acknowledging and documenting their contributions to our own work and conclusions. 

Chapters are separated into record groups, such as “Cemetery Records,” “National Government Records,” “Census Records” and more. Each chapter has straightforward citation examples and templates, and offers full explanations of the formatting—all the tools you need to navigate the citation process with understanding, confidence and efficiency.

This new and updated Evidence will continue to help you refine your citational skills.

Evidence Explained, Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace is available from the publisher, Genealogical Publishing Co., at: https://genealogical.com/the-new-4th-edition-of-evidence-explained/ and from Amazon.com. 

The following announcement was written by the folks at MyHeritage:

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, we’re happy to announce that we’re making all 14 million Irish historical records available for free from March 14 to 18, 2024! 

Search all Irish records for free

Whether you’re decked out in green, savoring a traditional Irish dish, or just immersed in the vibrant culture and storied past of Ireland, this is a perfect opportunity to explore your Irish roots. Millions worldwide claim Irish roots, showing how far and wide the Irish diaspora stretches. Perhaps you will discover stories of endurance, migration, or interesting new details about the daily lives of your Irish ancestors.

Among our treasure trove of records, some of the most valuable Irish historical collections include:

• 1901 Ireland Census: A snapshot of life at the turn of the century, providing invaluable information on household members, occupations, and living conditions. The 1901 census is the earliest complete Irish census still in existence; most of the previous censuses were destroyed.
• 1911 Ireland Census: Offering a detailed view of Irish society ten years later, allowing comparisons and insights into changes over time.
• Ireland Marriages, 1619-1898: A compilation of Irish marriage records, essential for tracing lineage and family connections.

These collections, as well as many others, can help to paint a picture of your ancestors’ lives, their communities, and the historical context of their lives. Whether you’re an experienced genealogist or just starting to scratch the surface of your family history, this free access period is an excellent opportunity to delve deeper into your Irish roots.

Search through our Irish records today and discover the stories of your ancestors this St. Patrick’s Day.

New and Updated

UPDATED 1880 United States Federal Census	03/12/2024
NEW Florida, U.S., Voter Registration Records, 1942-2023	03/11/2024
NEW North Carolina, U.S., Voter Registration Records, 1900-2023	03/11/2024
NEW Oklahoma and Indian Territory, Dawes Census Freedmen Rolls, 1898-1914	03/07/2024
NEW Duluth, Minnesota, Obituary Index, 1904-2023	03/04/2024
UPDATED U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865	03/04/2024
UPDATED New York State, U.S., Death Index, 1957-1972	02/26/2024
UPDATED Washington, U.S., Arriving and Departing Passenger and Crew Lists, 1882-1965	02/22/2024
NEW Vermont, USA, Death Index, 2008-2019	02/21/2024
NEW Connecticut, U.S., Voter Registration Records, 1800-2023	02/21/2024
NEW Ohio, U.S., Voter Registration Records, 1900-2023	02/21/2024
NEW New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S., Arrest Records, 1866-1931	02/15/2024
NEW New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S., Arrest Records, 1805-1865	02/15/2024
UPDATED Chesterfield County, Virginia, U.S., Births, 1875-1878	02/08/2024
UPDATED Accomack County, Virginia, U.S., Births, 1866-1873	02/08/2024
UPDATED Clarke County, Virginia, U.S., Births, 1878-96	02/08/2024
UPDATED Smyth County, Virginia, U.S., Births, 1875-1878	02/08/2024
UPDATED Fayette County, West Virginia, U.S., Births, 1881-1887	02/08/2024
UPDATED Leavenworth, Kansas, U.S., Leavenworth Times Obituaries, 1954, 1958, 1967-1978	02/08/2024
UPDATED Pulaski County, Virginia Births, 1853-1893	02/08/2024
UPDATED Augusta County, Virginia, U.S., Births, 1880-1887	02/08/2024
UPDATED Rockingham County, Virginia, U.S., Births, 1866-1884	02/08/2024
UPDATED Fayette County, West Virginia, U.S., Births, 1866-1880	02/08/2024
UPDATED Hanover County Virginia, U.S., Birth Records, 1853-1881	02/08/2024
UPDATED Chesterfield County, Virginia, U.S., Births, 1872-1877	02/08/2024
UPDATED Danville, Pittsylvania County, Virginia Births, 1853-1896	02/08/2024
UPDATED Accomack County, Virginia, U.S., Births, 1853-1865	02/08/2024
UPDATED Smyth County, Virginia, U.S., Births, 1885-1896	02/08/2024
UPDATED Princess Anne County, Virginia Births, 1881-1896	02/08/2024
UPDATED North Carolina, U.S., Birth Indexes, 1800-2000	02/08/2024
UPDATED 1890 United States Federal Census Fragment	02/05/2024
UPDATED San Francisco, California, U.S., Registers of Chinese Laborers Returning to the U.S., 1882-1888	02/01/2024

Some good news for researchers and history buffs in Kamloops – the archives at the Kamloops Museum and Archives are set to reopen next month.

Shut down since September due to a lack of a resident archivist, Museum Supervisor Julia Cyr says the archives are likely to reopen sometime in mid-to-late April. Cyr says they’re able to reopen now that a new archivist from Montreal has arrived.

The Kamloops Museum and Archives includes a wide range of materials that describe, depict, and interpret life in Kamloops through the years, including photographs, books, papers, maps, architectural drawings, and newspapers.

Some of the materials included in the archives date back to the 19th century and the formation of Kamloops as a settlement.

“Maternal Threads Unwoven: Identifying Margareta’s Mother in 18^th Century Sweden” 

by Jill Morelli, CG, CGL

Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 8:00 p.m. (EDT)

In spite of birth entries for Margareta's five siblings in Hishult, there was no record of her birth in the parish. Tax records quickly identified the father and revealed multiple moves within a narrow span of time; however, identification of the mother remained elusive. No witnesses to the births of the children provided clues; no household examinations existed. Coupling the understanding of broad context (naming patterns, inheritance laws, the calendar shift, etc.) with mtDNA and documentary evidence, the mother was identified and the lack of records was explained.

Jill Morelli, CG, CGL is a “Roots” genealogist, becoming interested in family history in the 1970s with the Alex Haley show. At that time, she just collected “stuff.” After a hiatus during which she had a family and volunteered in her community, Jill came back to genealogy with a vengeance in February 2002 and a total commitment to “doing it right.” She is the founder of the Certification Discussion Group which shares tips and strategies for BCG portfolio building, and a co-founder of Applied Genealogy Institute, whose motto is “Learn by Doing”. She has been published in a variety of publications including NGSQ, Swedish American Genealogist, and others. Jill is past president of Seattle GS and is co-chair of the SGS Centennial 2023.

BCG’s next free monthly webinar in conjunction with Legacy Family Tree Webinars is “Maternal Threads Unwoven: Identifying Margareta’s Mother in 18^th Century Sweden” by Jill Morelli, CG, CGL. This webinar airs Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. EDT. 

When you register before March 19 with our partner Legacy Family Tree Webinars(http://legacy.familytreewebinars.com/?aid=9010) you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Anyone with schedule conflicts may access the webinar at no charge for one week after the broadcast on the Legacy Family Tree Webinars website.

“Education is one of the most significant ways of achieving BCG’s mission for promoting public confidence in genealogy through uniform standards of competence,” said President Faye Jenkins Stallings, CG. “We appreciate this opportunity to provide these webinars that focus on the standards that help family historians of all levels practice good genealogy.”

Following the free period for this webinar, BCG receives a small commission if you view this or any BCG webinar by clicking our affiliate link: http://legacy.familytreewebinars.com/?aid=2619.

To see the full list of BCG-sponsored webinars for 2024, visit the BCG blog SpringBoard athttps://bcgcertification.org/bcg-2024-free-webinars. For additional resources for genealogical education, please visit the BCG Learning Center (https://bcgcertification.org/learning).

The Augusta Genealogical Society has issued a press release that is visible here.