The following is a Plus Edition article written by and copyright by Dick Eastman. 

You probably have enjoyed collecting bits and pieces of information about your ancestors and their lives. Is it possible that one of your future descendants will want to do the same for you and for your present relatives? If so, should you help your future genealogist-descendant by making sure the information about your life and the lives of your relatives will be available in the future?

For years, genealogists, historians, and others have preserved information on paper. Sometimes it is in the form of books while a less formal method is to collect paper documents and keep them in a file. Paper has served us well for centuries and probably will not disappear anytime soon. However, paper isn't as useful or expected to last as long as it once was. Perhaps we should seek alternative solutions.

From e-journals and e-books to emails, blogs and more, electronic content is proliferating fast, and organizations worldwide are racing to preserve information for next generations before technological obsolescence, or even data loss, creep in.

First of all, many of today's "documents" are generated electronically and may or may not be available in printed form. Most states now generate birth, marriage, and death records on a computer. Most of those records also can be obtained as a print-out upon request, however. The trend to digital records probably will continue for many more years. Within a few years, most government agencies probably will stop printing documents altogether.

A few of us have possession of treasured letters written by our ancestors. Love letters, letters home from soldiers at the front, and even the gossipy "Dear Cousin" letters become family treasures within a very few years. When was the last time you wrote a letter on paper and sent it to a relative via postal mail? How are you or some other relative preserving these valuable messages for use by future generations? I bet very few people print those email messages out and save them.

Another issue is the life expectancy of paper. Today's paper isn't what it used to be, nor is the ink. Years ago, almost all paper was archival quality, and high-quality ink was the norm. Many 100-year-old documents have survived and are treasured by descendants today.

In contrast, most paper produced today is inexpensive, intended for use in printers and photocopy machines, and filled with acids and other chemicals. In addition, the ink used in inkjet printers and the toner used in laser printers are not intended to last 100 years or more. Today's printed documents probably will last 20 or 30 years and possibly even longer, but not for a century or two. If you want to preserve printed information for centuries, you need to use archival paper (which is easily found in many places) and archival ink (which is harder to find but not impossible).

Fortunately, many options are available to insure preservation of important documents and even books for businesses. I will also discuss solutions for individuals.

The remainder of this article is reserved for Plus Edition subscribers only. If you have a Plus Edition subscription, you may read the full article at:  https://eogn.com/(*)-Plus-Edition-News-Articles/12138276

If you are not yet a Plus Edition subscriber, you can learn more about such subscriptions and even upgrade to a Plus Edition subscription immediately at https://eogn.com/page-18077.  

The following announcement was written by Findmypast:

From obituary notices spanning all 50 states, to a focused collection documenting marriages not previously recognised during the slave trade, there is plenty to discover in our latest US update.

United States Obituaries Notices

Search over 22 million new additions to discover your ancestor’s name, birth and death years, and obituary text. Now containing over 79 million records, this vast collection covers all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and provides valuable details for tracking down an ancestor's death record or full obituary.

This collection has been obtained from the tributes.com and currentobituary.com websites. Additional information such as images and details about the records can be found on the source’s website.

United States, Freedmen’s Bureau Marriages

Explore almost 40,000 marriages from the Reconstruction Era documented by the Freedmen's Bureau, including those which occurred during slavery that went unrecognized and those occurring immediately after Emancipation.

Formally, The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandon Lands, existed to help transition and offer aid to the now 4,000,000 freed African Americans across the country after the abolition of slavery. This agency is known commonly as “The Freedmen’s Bureau” in the United States and existed from 1865-1872.

These fascinating records consist of marriage registers, marriage certificates, marriage licenses and other proofs of marriages. While the amount of information varies, you will commonly find the following information:

• • Names of the couple
  • Date of marriage
  • Location of marriage
  • Ages of the couple
  • Names of witnesses

Newspapers

This week’s Findmypast Friday marks yet another milestone for Findmypast’s newspaper collection with over 46 million pages published online to date. Eight brand new papers have been added this week alone, and an amazing 86 have been updated, totalling a collective 181,690 pages. Our new titles include the Law Chronicle, Commercial and Bankruptcy Register, which named and shamed the businessmen that had fallen on hard times, and The London & China Herald, which reported commercial intelligence between the east and the west, including the trade prices of silk, tea, and cotton.

New titles include:

• • Beckenham Journal, 1890-1911, 1913-1914
  • Law Chronicle, Commercial and Bankruptcy Register, 1813-1819, 1821-1847
  • London & China Herald, 1867-1870
  • London & Provincial News and General Advertiser, 1861-1863
  • London and Scottish Review, 1875
  • London Mirror, 1872-1873, 1875-1876
  • Peterborough Express, 1884-1896, 1898-1910, 1913-1917
  • Weekly Review (London), 1862, 1864-1881

Updated titles include:

• • Alloa Journal, 1913-1914
  • Arbroath Guide, 1960
  • Arbroath Herald and Advertiser for the Montrose Burghs, 1960-1961
  • Banffshire Advertiser, 1913-1914
  • Banffshire Herald, 1913-1914
  • Barking, East Ham & Ilford Advertiser, Upton Park and Dagenham Gazette, 1913-1914
  • Barrhead News, 1913
  • Bexley Heath and Bexley Observer, 1913-1914
  • Bolton Evening News, 1912-1914
  • Brechin Advertiser, 1960-1961
  • Broughty Ferry Guide and Advertiser, 1960-1961
  • Bury Free Press, 1998-1999
  • Cambrian News, 1913-1914
  • Carlisle Journal, 1913-1914
  • Christchurch Times, 1913-1914
  • Clitheroe Advertiser and Times, 1960
  • County Down Spectator and Ulster Standard, 1913-1914
  • County Express, 1913-1914
  • Crewe Guardian, 1913
  • Cumberland & Westmorland Herald, 1913-1914
  • Cumberland Pacquet, and Ware’s Whitehaven Advertiser, 1872
  • Dalkeith Advertiser, 1960-1961
  • Denbighshire Free Press, 1913-1914
  • Evesham Standard & West Midland Observer, 1960-1961
  • Exmouth Journal, 1913
  • Fermanagh Herald, 1913
  • Forres Elgin and Nairn Gazette, Northern Review and Advertiser, 1913-1914
  • Glasgow Chronicle, 1848
  • Hampshire Telegraph, 1960-1961
  • Haverhill Echo, 1998-1999
  • Herts & Cambs Reporter & Royston Crow, 1913-1914
  • Highland News, 1913-1914
  • Huntly Express, 1913
  • Irish Times, 1910
  • Isle of Wight County Press and South of England Reporter, 1913
  • Jersey Evening Post, 1913-1914
  • John o’ Groat Journal, 1913
  • Kenilworth Advertiser, 1878
  • Kilburn Times, 1913
  • Leven Mail, 1960
  • Liverpool Journal of Commerce, 1873, 1878, 1883
  • Lloyd’s List, 1914
  • Maidenhead Advertiser, 1913-1914
  • Midland Tribune, 1913-1914
  • Montrose Standard, 1960
  • Morecambe Guardian, 1960
  • Newark Advertiser, 1892-1895, 1898-1901, 1903, 1919
  • Newmarket Journal, 1998-1999
  • Newry Reporter, 1912-1913
  • North Star and Farmers’ Chronicle, 1913
  • Northern Chronicle and General Advertiser for the North of Scotland, 1914
  • Northern Scot and Moray & Nairn Express, 1913
  • Northwich Guardian, 1913
  • Nuneaton Observer, 1913-1914
  • Oban Times, and Argyllshire Advertiser, 1877
  • Orcadian, 1913-1914
  • Pearson’s Weekly, 1913
  • Penrith Observer, 1960
  • Port-Glasgow Express, 1960-1961
  • Ross Gazette, 1913-1914
  • Saffron Walden Weekly News, 1986-1989, 1998-1999
  • Salisbury and Winchester Journal, 1913-1914
  • Sheerness Times Guardian, 1876
  • Shipley Times and Express, 1960
  • Soulby’s Ulverston Advertiser and General Intelligencer, 1913
  • Southend Standard and Essex Weekly Advertiser, 1913-1914
  • Spalding Guardian, 1998-1999
  • Stamford Mercury, 1920-1921, 1923-1925, 1927, 1930, 1937, 1946-1953
  • Strabane Chronicle, 1913-1914
  • Strabane Weekly News, 1913-1914
  • Suffolk and Essex Free Press, 1998-1999
  • Surrey Advertiser, 1877
  • Sussex Agricultural Express, 1959-1961
  • The Berwick Advertiser, 1959
  • The Referee, 1913
  • Tottenham and Edmonton Weekly Herald, 1913-1914
  • Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times, 1913-1914
  • Waterford Star, 1915-1917
  • West Cumberland Times, 1913-1914
  • Willesden Chronicle, 1913
  • Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, 1913-1914
  • Windsor and Eton Express, 1913
  • Witney Gazette and West Oxfordshire Advertiser, 1914
  • Workington Star, 1913-1914

In the November 15 edition of this newsletter (at https://eogn.com/page-18080/12129879), I published an article that said (in part):

"On Thursday, November 18, Sotheby's is auctioning off "an exceptionally rare and extraordinarily historic" first printing of the U.S. Constitution. Only thirteen copies remain, besides the one located in Washington D.C.'s National Archives museum, from the original printing of 500 that the founders issued for submission to the Continental Congress."

Now the auction has been held and the group of crypto investors that had attempted to purchase the rare copy has failed to do so. Details may be found in an article by Paul R. La Monica in the CNN Business News web site at: https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/18/investing/constitution-auction-sothebys-crypto/index.html.

The following was written by the Genea­logi­cal Forum of Oregon:

You are cordially invited to an online “wedding” re­ception – and 
index­ing party!

On Tuesday, Nov. 30, the Genea­logi­cal Forum of Oregon is spon­sor­ing 
an on­line event to index Multnomah County mar­riage records from 1917-1924.

Way back in 1981, the GFO acquired the county’s original mar­riage 
regis­ter books for 1885-1924. Over four decades, dedi­cated 
volun­­­teers have indexed the registers to 1916. But we get many 
requests in the “missing” years, so it’s time to finish the job!

For the first time, GFO is trying out our annual volun­teer work party 
as a one-day, inter­­active event entirely on­line. You can join the fun 
for the whole day or even just an hour. You do not need to be a mem­ber, 
just willing to dedicate a little time to support genealogy. For more 
infor­mation and to RSVP, please visit http://gfo.org/givingtuesday 
<http://gfo.org/givingtuesday>.

The Jennings County Historical Society was recently awarded a Heritage Support Grant of $3,647.91 to update current technology needs at the North American House Museum and offer a new genealogy research station for community members and visitors to utilize. Heritage Support Grants are provided by the Indiana Historical Society and made possible by Lilly Endowment Inc.

Museum curator Chris Asher notes that the current technology is not sufficient for maintaining the museum records and is very grateful for the funding and partnership with the Indiana Historical Society that will allow the organization to be more effective in carrying out its mission.

Details may be fund in an article by Anna Walker published in the North Vernon Plain Dealer and Sun at https://bit.ly/3qSd12T. The The Jennings County Historical Society web site is available at http://jenningscounty.org/.

The following was written by Pierre Clouthier, President of Progeny Genealogy:

We are continuing the conversion of Charting Companion, and have added some enhancements.

* Latest versions: Windows 8.1; Mac 8.1

* Support for Windows 11 and Apple M1 "ARM"

* New accelerated graphics technology, for large charts

* Embroidery

* RootsMagic 8; RootsMagic colors

* Title centering

* Cousin-smart (implexus) with "no hatching" color option

We are privileged to help you tell the story of your family. A story that stretches back in time beyond the dawn of history. The story of humble, unsung people who overcame hardships and built this world for you.

CC 8 offers new "Wizard"-style dialogs that are simpler for first-time users. "Expert" dialogs are available to old hands who want to quickly navigate Charting Companion's rich features.

Charting Companion 8 FGV

If you don't already have Charting Companion 8 for Windows or Mac, order from the link below:

Get Charting Companion: https://progenygenealogy.com/products/family-tree-charts/

Regards,
Pierre Clouthier
President
Progeny Genealogy: http://progenygenealogy.com

The following was written by the  Southern California Genealogical Society (SCGS):

Philanthropists Don and Leslie Budinger have completed a major gift that began in 1999 and has now culminated in the transfer of title to the landmark building at 1100 Orange Avenue, to the Coronado Historical Association (CHA).

By completing the transfer of title of the property, the longtime supporters were able to realize their vision of sustaining CHA and ensuring its role as Coronado's archivist and historian for the community, well into the future.

The Budingers' association with CHA began in 1999 when the couple bought the historic former bank building at 1100 Orange Avenue, restored it, and then entrusted it to the care of the Coronado Historical Association, entering into a 30-year lease-gift agreement.

You can read much more about this gift in an article by Debbie L. Sklar in an article in the Times of San Diego web site at: https://bit.ly/3HsxwZN.

When you think about it, word processors haven't changed much in decades. Each one emulates recording words on paper. The only significant change in recent years is when Google introduced Google Documents, a product that stores its text online in the cloud instead of in your own computer. While significant, that is still a not a major change.

Anyone who can gain access to your computer or to your online account can still read your documents, including accessing private information that you don't want to share. Until now...

Skiff changes all that.

Skiff has launched a new, decentralized architecture - realizing the company's vision to build the application layer for Web3 - private, decentralized, and end-to-end encrypted.

Decentralization and privacy go hand-in-hand. While privacy demands that users know exactly how and when their personal data is shared, decentralization keeps users’ information outside of anti-private, centralized databases. End-to-end encryption and decentralization together truly deliver complete control over personal data to Skiff users. Technically and organizationally, decentralization helps us deliver on core promise to users.

According to the programmers who created Skiff:

Decentralization

Your identity is your keypair: Skiff’s products keep your personal information private to you. Our whitepaper details this approach to provisioning users with keypairs (for encryption and attestation). Like a password manager or a crypto wallet, this technical design represents the foundation of decentralized collaboration.

Decentralized real-time collaboration via CRDTs: As detailed in our pre-launch blog post on decentralized collaboration from March 2021, decentralization allows us to realize numerous technical and user-friendly advantages. In particular, CRDTs enable us to, in real time, synchronize data structures across multiple Skiff users around the world. Users communicate end-to-end encrypted document changes to each other and arrive at fully synchronized, independent copies of working documents.

Decentralized storage via IPFS: We are incredibly excited to announce our collaboration with Protocol Labs and IPFS to build fully decentralized storage into Skiff. In IPFS, Filecoin, and libp2p (for direct peer-to-peer communication), Protocol Labs is building foundational infrastructure to enable decentralized, privacy-first applications like Skiff.

Now, Skiff users can store files, static content, and more via the Interplanetary Filesystem (IPFS). Inside the settings page, users can enable or disable IPFS storage:

In short:

1. Skiff breaks every document into dozes or hundreds of smaller pieces and each piece is stored in a different web server in the cloud. Even if someone who access a small piece, there will be so little information displayed that it becomes useless to the hacker.
2. Even before being broken into hundreds of small "snippets" of information, each piece is encrypted in its own unique encryption code. Even different snippets within one document are encrypted in different methods.

When the document's creator wishes to retrieve the document, everything happens in a manner that emulates an old-fashioned word processor: each snippet is located, retrieved, and combined tito a single document within seconds in a manner that is invisible to the document's creator.

You can learn a lot more about Skiff at: https://www.skiff.org/updates/skiff-decentralized.