More than 6,000 pages of Grand Jury Presentments and Query Books have been digitised by Kildare County Archives. They are now online, free to download in pdf format and to explore to your heart's content. 

The Grand Jury system of local government was set up in the medieval period. It was initially concerned with the administration of justice, and juries were made up of wealthy local landowners. The Courts sat just twice a year, at the spring and summer assizes. By the 18th and 19th centuries, the Grand Jury had taken on more responsibilities including the management and maintenance of hospitals, asylums, dispensaries, gaols and some other public buildings, and the provision of roads.

The books contain the names of many individuals: contractors taking on public works, medical staff and those caring for deserted children. 

You can read more in the irishgenealogynews web site at: https://www.irishgenealogynews.com/2023/09/county-kildares-grand-jury-presentment.html. 

The following is a press release written by FamilySearch:

People of all ages will want to take advantage of the new, free Logan Utah FamilySearch Center to make fun personal and family discoveries. The center is located at 165 East 2200 North in North Logan, Utah. It offers some of FamilySearch’s signature interactive discovery experiences found only at select facilities worldwide. The center will open Monday, September 25, but a public open house will be held Friday, September 22, 1–5 pm, and Saturday, September 23, 9:30 am–3 pm. The center is free to the public.

Logan FamilySearch Center Services

Individuals, families, youth, and special interest groups will enjoy discovering their family history and stories together using 13 discovery stations with fun, interactive experiences: All About Me, Compare-a-Face, Picture My Heritage, My Famous Relatives, and Where I Come From. There is also a recording room, Record My Story, to digitally capture personal and family memories on video for posterity’s sake.

The center offers 33 patron computers, plus a computer learning lab that can support groups of up to 18 persons. In addition to free monthly classes, a staff of local volunteers is ready and willing to make your visit a success. A play area for small children is well-situated with 3 workstations so parents can explore their family history without leaving their children unattended. There’s even an open kitchen and snack area for guests who want to make an all-day excursion out of their visit.

If you have family memories on old photos, slides, negatives, film, videos, and reel-to-reels, the center has the equipment needed to convert those to digital so you can preserve and easily share them online or on a portable hard drive.

Visitors are sure to have quick successes, capitalizing on FamilySearch’s vast historical resources and free access to premium online genealogy services.

Prepare for Your Visit

For the best-personalized experiences, plan ahead. Create a free FamilySearch Account online. (Don’t forget the log-in and password you create!) Add what you know about your family in the FamilySearch Family Tree.

Introduce your family and friends to a lifetime of family discovery experiences. Plan a visit soon to the Logan Utah FamilySearch Center.

Logan Utah FamilySearch Center Details

Address: 165 East 2200 North, North Logan, Utah, 84341

Phone: 1-435-755-5594

About FamilySearch

FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. We are a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use our 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 125 years. People access our services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 5,000 FamilySearch centers in 129 countries, including the main FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

An epic legal affair involving artworks looted by the Nazi regime drew to a close on Wednesday in Lower Manhattan, where the works were handed over to the descendants of a Jewish collector who was murdered during the Holocaust.

The artworks, by the renowned Austrian artist Egon Schiele, were forcibly taken from Fritz Grünbaum, a Jewish cabaret performer who was killed in 1941 at Dachau concentration camp, according to descendants of the artist as well as a pivotal court ruling.

The pieces ended up, over the span of many decades, at various museums, including the Museum of Modern Art and the Morgan Library, both in New York, eventually becoming the subject of a series of federal and state court cases.

“I don’t think it’s an overstatement. Today is historic and groundbreaking,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, at whose office the handover ceremony took place and which helped orchestrate the return. “We are returning these beautiful works, these drawings, to their rightful home. To their family.”

You can read more in an article by Arun Venugopal published in the gothamist web site at: https://gothamist.com/news/7-artworks-seized-by-nazis-returned-to-descendants-in-ny. 

There are certain standards that are a part of every American Football contest.

One is the goalposts. Another is the kickoff. Quite another is the passing game. Players are protected head to knee with padding. And just about every play begins with both sides of the ball getting into a huddle.

Why do players gather together like that? Where did this originate? Why are there different styles of huddles? Is there a connection to genealogy?

You can read a rather lengthy and explanatory article written by Barry Shuck published in the dawgsbynature web site at: https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2023/9/20/23863651/genealogy-in-american-football-the-huddle.

Here is an interesting article written by: Bryan Cockfield and published in the Hackaday web site:

Time is almost up for magnetic storage from the 80s and 90s. Various physical limitations in storage methods from this era are conspiring to slowly degrade the data stored on things like tape, floppy disks, and hard disk drives, and after several decades data may not be recoverable anymore. It’s always worth trying to back it up, though, especially if you have something on your hands like critical evidence or court records on a nearly 50-year-old floppy disk last written to in 1993 using a DEC PDP-11.

This project all started when an investigation unit in Maryland approached the Bloop Museum with a request to use their antique computer resources to decode the information on a 5.25″ floppy disk. Even finding a floppy disk drive of this size is a difficult task, but this was further compounded not just by the age of the disk but that the data wasn’t encoded in the expected format. Using a GreaseWeazle controlled by a Raspberry Pi, they generated an audio file from the data on the disk to capture all available data, and then used that to work backwards to get to the usable information.

You can read more at: https://hackaday.com/2023/09/15/preserving-floppy-disks/. 

The following is a press release written by the Board for Certification of Genealogists:

The Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) will host five live webinars, free and available to the public, as this year’s Reisinger Memorial Lecture Series on 20 October 2023. The hour-long webinars begin at 9:30 a.m. MDT (11:30 a.m. EDT and 4:30 p.m. GMT) and continue throughout the day. Five leading genealogists will speak on topics such as meeting the Genealogical Proof Standard, verifying genealogical stories, and using DNA evidence. The webinars are part of the Joy Reisinger Memorial Lecture Series and are presented in conjunction with Legacy Family Tree Webinars. 

The lecture series is presented annually in memory of BCG’s former trustee and vice president, Joy Reisinger, who began this lecture series for Family History Library staff during BCG’s fall board meetings. Joy was an advocate for open records access, a lecturer on research methods, and an expert on Canadian resources, especially those of Quebec.

The lecture series will be in-person and live streamed. To attend in person, it is being held in Classrooms B and C on the main floor of the FamilySearch Library on Friday, 20 October 2023. To view the live stream webinar presented in conjunction with Legacy Family Tree Webinars, registration is available at http://legacy.familytreewebinars.com/?aid=8481.

Schedule:

9:30 a.m. MDT. "Deconstructing Family Stories: Are They Fact, Fiction, or a Little of Both," Barbara Vines Little, CG

We all have them—family stories—from Indian princesses and three brothers who came to America to “We're related to Benjamin Franklin.” Some are blatantly false; others wishful thinking. But others may be true or partly true. Discarding even the most outrageous without research is a mistake.  Finding the clues in family stories requires careful and thorough research, but that kernel of truth can be worth it.

10:45 a.m. MDT. "Lineage of Land: Tracing Property Without Recorded Deeds,” Shannon Green, CG

This case study traces a piece of property for two hundred years, from the Native Americans to the Dutch, to the English, and through fourteen members of the Hicks family over five generations. Transfer of title occurs through various instruments, including patents, unrecorded deeds, inheritance, escheatment, private laws, entails, deeds of lease and release, life estates, and coverture. Tracing the lineage of the property elucidates family relationships that were otherwise forgotten.  

1:30 p.m. MDT. "The Many Wives of Howard William Lowe: Working with Social History to Glean Genealogical Insights," Gary Ball-Kilbourne, CG

Genealogists are expected to conduct research not just reasonably exhaustively but also broadly. Understanding the social milieu of the specific time and place within which an individual lived is an essential element of broad research. A case study focusing on an early twentieth-century blue-collar worker in western Minnesota and his several wives illustrates how social history provides insights illuminating their lives.

2:45 p.m. MDT. "Assumptions: Problem–Solving Friend or Foe?" Jennifer Zinck, CG

Do you have an unsolved research problem? Have you critically examined assumptions made during the research process? Some assumptions are valid, or even fundamental, but incorrect or misguided assumptions can act as mortar for genealogical brick walls. Learn to recognize, categorize, and address various types of assumptions to form sound genealogical conclusions.

4:00 p.m. MDT. "DNA Analysis Methodology: Defeat the Genealogy Gremlin with Pedigree Evaluation, Mitigation, and Reasoning," Karen Stanbary, CG

Learn the tried-and-true methodology to defeat the Genealogy Gremlin and achieve accurate results using DNA for genealogy. This lecture discusses the evaluation of match pedigrees to identify potential snafus and demonstrates mitigation strategies to address the problem. Don’t let researcher confirmation bias pollute your family trees!

The words Certified Genealogist and its acronym, CG, are registered certification marks, and the designations Certified Genealogical Lecturer and its acronym, CGL, are service marks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists®, used under license by board certificants after periodic evaluation.

Interest in genealogical research has increased with new technological innovations, including online databases, but members of the Buffalo Genealogical Society of the African Diaspora long ago discovered the value of African American funeral programs – in all their low-tech glory – as rich sources of biographical information for those working on their family trees.

The society recently teamed with the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, University at Buffalo and Western New York Library Resources Council to digitize a community resource that it created called the Funeral Collection project.

This digitized collection includes more than 3,600 funeral programs donated to the society from families, churches and funeral homes across the U.S.

All project subjects have a Buffalo connection. Some – including Daniel R. Acker Sr., a former president of the Buffalo Branch NAACP who worked on the Manhattan Project, and musician Al Tinney – were well known regionally. Most came from more common walks of life.

The earliest program is from is from a person born in 1848.

You can read more in an article by Harold McNeil at: https://tinyurl.com/4s45ufak.

Here is a great story on the MyHeritage Blog that you may enjoy reading:

Violetta’s husband, Igor, was researching her side of the family tree on MyHeritage when he connected with a cousin living in Norway named Tatiana. When the war broke out, Tatiana offered her home to the family. Igor still can’t leave the country due to military restrictions, but he hopes to join his wife and daughter soon.

MyHeritage documented their beautiful story in this video. I hope you enjoy it, and invite you to share it with your friends and followers. It’s a poignant illustration of the power of family bonds to provide protection and support in times of need… and it demonstrates that family history can, in fact, literally save lives.

The following is a press release written by the Ohio Genealogical Society: 

The Ohio Genealogical Society (OGS) is thrilled to announce the launch of its official podcast, Ohio Roots. This captivating series offers listeners an immersive journey through Ohio’s rich genealogy, history, and abundant resources.

Hosted by OGS Executive Director, Noel Poirier, Ohio Roots promises to be a must-listen for genealogy enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Each episode features insightful conversations with a diverse array of guests, ranging from OGS members, chapter leaders, and staff, to renowned genealogists, historians, and influential figures within the genealogical community.

Listeners can expect riveting discussions that delve into a wide range of topics, uncovering captivating stories and shedding light on Ohio’s intricate past. With a blend of expertise and passion, Ohio Roots invites audiences to explore the unique tapestry of Ohio’s genealogical heritage.

Get the free Podnews newsletter for more like this.

“We’re thrilled to launch Ohio Roots and share the incredible stories and resources that Ohio has to offer,” said Noel Poirier, Executive Director of the Ohio Genealogical Society. “This podcast is a platform for genealogists, historians, and enthusiasts to come together and uncover the fascinating roots of our state.”

Listeners are encouraged to grab their headphones or unmute their speakers, hit that play button, and embark on an enthralling journey through Ohio’s Roots. Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or new to the world of genealogy, Ohio Roots promises something for everyone.

To tune in and explore Ohio’s genealogical legacy, visit www.ogs.org/podcasts/ or wherever you listen to podcasts.

For more information about the Ohio Genealogical Society and Ohio Roots, please visit www.ogs.org.

The Ohio Genealogical Society is a premier resource for Ohio family history research. With a mission to promote and stimulate interest in genealogy, the OGS provides educational and research opportunities for anyone interested in Ohio’s rich genealogical heritage.

Listen

Ohio Roots
Ohio Genealogical Society

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Twenty-five new citizens pose for a group portrait in the Rotunda after becoming U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony at the National Archives in Washington, DC, on September 15, 2023. National Archives photo by Susana Raab.

By Pete Lewis | National Archives News

WASHINGTON, September 19, 2023 — In celebration of Constitution Day, observed on September 17, 25 men and women from 24 nations took their oaths of citizenship in front of the nation’s Founding Documents (the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence), on September 15, in the Rotunda of the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC.

The National Archives traditionally hosts two naturalization ceremonies in the Rotunda annually, the first in September to mark Constitution Day and the second in December in honor of Bill of Rights Day.

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New citizens swear the Oath of Allegiance to the United States during their naturalization ceremony in the National Archives Rotunda in Washington, DC. September 15, 2023. National Archives photo by Susana Raab.

The ceremony was hosted by Dr. Colleen Shogan, 11th Archivist of the United States. The Honorable James E. Boasberg, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, presided as the petitioners for United States citizenship took the oath of citizenship. Students from Alice Deal Middle School in Washington, DC, recited the Preamble of the Constitution.

Shogan spoke to the new citizens of the importance of the Founding Documents and the rights they upheld for all U.S. citizens.

“These Charters are the bedrock of our democracy; but they are not static relics,” she said. “They are a testament to the enduring values of freedom, justice, and equality that we are continuously striving to perfect. They are living promises—a covenant between the government and its citizenry.”

As the new Americans listened on, Shogan further offered hospitable words.

“As the Archivist of the United States, it is my distinct honor to be the first to officially welcome you as the newest members of our big boisterous American family!” she said.

The 25 new citizens are originally from 24 nations: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Cameroon, Canada, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Germany, Ghana, Guyana, Hungary, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Mexico, Philippines, Portugal, Senegal, Serbia, and Venezuela.

Alex Marki, a researcher from Hungary, said he wanted to become a U.S. citizen in order to help people through his work.

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At center, keynote speaker Reverend Eugene Cho, the Honorable James E. Boasberg, and Archivist of the United States Dr. Colleen Shogan pose with new citizens after the naturalization ceremony held in the National Archives Rotunda in Washington, DC. September 15, 2023. National Archives photo by Susana Raab.

“America, I believe, is the best place in the world for research today. I'm really impressed by how many good things come out from this country; inventions, medicines, technologies,” Marki said. “I really want to contribute to this… so I decided to stay here and be part of this country and contribute to my best."

Aram Earsa, an Iranian who emigrated to Canada before seeking citizenship in the U.S., said he is happy to be part of "an amazing country, with a unique history."

"I'm very happy to finally complete my journey today and become a United States citizen,” Earsa said. “This country has always contributed to progress over the years, and I would be happy to be part of the future improvement and future progress of this country."

This year’s Constitution Day marks the 236th anniversary of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Learn more online about the U.S. Constitution through our public programs, family activities, and online resources.

This program was presented thanks to a long-standing partnership between the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and the Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

To view the ceremony, visit the National Archives YouTube Channel.

To view photos from this ceremony, visit the National Archives Flickr page.