Microsoft began testing an update to the venerable Notepad program in March that included spellcheck and autocorrection to the modest but steadily expanding collection of features of the Windows software. As reported by The Verge, the update adding these capabilities to Notepad is now available to all Windows 11 users via the Microsoft Store.

Underlining words in red when they are misspelled, the spellcheck function lets users left-click the words to view a list of suggestions or right-click them to see suggestions under a separate "spelling" menu item. Changes can be undone manually or by running the Undo command; autocorrection fixes minor and apparent misspellings (typing "misspellign" instead of "misspelling," for example).

Notepad's settings let one disable either feature from within. If you wish to see spelling suggestions for.txt files but not for.md or.lic files, the spellchecker may also be turned on and off for a few different particular file extensions. The Verge also notes that default spellchecking is off for log files or "other file types associated with coding." When I opened a batch file in Notepad to make changes, for instance, neither function worked.

Microsoft releases new apps incrementally, hence you might or might not be seeing the new features yet. Notepad version 11.2405.13 operating on a fully upgraded Windows 11 23H2 PC shows the spellcheck and autocorrection tools right now, but your mileage might differ.

Starting with dark mode support and other style options, Notepad has undergone significant changes over the Windows 11 era. Eventually it also included a tabbed interface allowing automatically reopening of files upon program relaunching. For Notepad, these kinds of enhancements rank as "major" as, for years, it had only received somewhat tiny under-the-hood upgrades (when it was being updated at all).

As Microsoft gets ready to quit delivering WordPad with Windows 11, the Notepad enhancements show promise. Originally Windows' preinstalled basic word processor, WordPad has had few (if any) notable upgrades since Windows 7's 2009 release. Although WordPad is still available in Windows 11 22H and 23H2, it is not included in present iterations of the forthcoming Windows 11 24H2 release. Users searching for basic word processing after WordPad disappears will have to resort to the more-capable Notepad, the free-to-use online edition of Microsoft Word, or another free option such as LibreOffice (which is my favorite word processor app. Most of the articles in this web site are written with LibreOffice).

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, if you expect to go tromping through the woods looking for abandoned cemeteries, old homesteads, and similar locations of interest to genealogists, this could provide life-saving information. Really!

Nancy Battick is a Dover-Foxcroft, Maine native who has researched genealogy for over 30 years. She is past president of the Maine Genealogical Society, author of several genealogical articles and co-transcribed the Vital Records of Dover-Foxcroft.  Nancy holds an MA in History from the University of Maine and lives in the town of Dover-Foxcroft, Maine with her husband, Jack, another avid genealogist.

Nancy has dusted off her annual "Be Safe in the Woods" article and has updated it significantly. Her latest article is written for genealogists, primarily for those wandering around old cemeteries, homesteads, and in other places of interest to anyone who is researching in Maine or somewhat similar rural locations.

I was born and raised about 12 miles from Nancy's location in Dover-Foxcroft and spent much of my childhood roaming around in nearby wooded locations. I think I know every long-abandoned cemetery in the area along with lots of abandoned homesteads and other locations of interest to genealogists. My specialty is finding abandoned silver mines in and around the towns of Corinna, Dexter, and Dover-Foxcroft. I could write a similar article but I rather like Nancy's version better than my own. 

You can read Nancy Battick's "Be Safe in the Woods" article https://observer-me.com/2024/07/09/opinion/be-safe-in-the-woods/.

This article is recommended reading for anyone who expects to go walking in either the Maine woods or in any similar locations. And yes, I got lost a number of times when I was growing up but always found my way out of the woods by using similar techniques to what Nancy Battick recommends.

Something characteristic of the present period has arisen with the advent of wealthy corporations such as Amazon, Google, and Walmart that are willing to invest in and test out drone deliveries. Drones are being launched from the sky with food and other miscellaneous items on board. Still, incidents remain uncommon.

But what are the legal ramifications, and may they grow as these incidents become more frequent? A man was recently arrested in Florida for allegedly shooting down a Walmart drone. The issue of legal consequences has remained unclear despite the widespread use of consumer drones for more than a decade. We received a partial response from the FAA after a drone shooting in Arkansas in 2016. The FAA directed anyone with an interest to 18 U.S.C. 32 back then. Titled "Aircraft Sabotage," the statute criminalizes the willful destruction of "any aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States or any civil aircraft used, operated or employed in interstate, overseas, or foreign air commerce."

"Makes it a Federal offense to commit an act of violence against any person on the aircraft, not simply crew members, if the act is likely to endanger the safety of the aircraft." This line of reasoning seems to be aimed squarely at manned airplanes. However, in light of the drone shooting in Arkansas, the FAA has stated that these safeguards can be expanded to encompass UAVs as well. It would appear that the phrase is actually comprehensive enough to encompass drones. As a result, the consequences could be just as severe. Following an event in Minnesota in 2020, the topic was brought back to light. Criminal damage and discharge of a weapon within city limits were the felony accusations levied against the perpetrator in that instance. In most cases involving property damage rather than bodily harm, whether including a drone or not, those would also most likely be the charges. Regardless of these instances, it is still impossible to say with certainty whether or not prosecutors will also bring a federal charge such as 18 U.S.C. 32.

The majority of instances have been handled by state laws rather than the federal government, as pointed out by the legal blog Above the Law. In most instances where 18 U.S.C. 32 has been invoked, additional charges like as murder may be brought out in connection with human crew members or passengers. Although it might not be prosecuted in the same way, it is arguable that dropping a big piece of technology from the sky in a densely populated region brings its own risk of physical injury. However, the future of federal regulation such as 18 U.S.C. 32 in relation to UAV shootings may become clearer as the use of drone delivery services grows in the United States. Adding that to the mix carries additional penalties, such as fines and a maximum sentence of twenty years in jail, which could worsen the already dire situation. However, regardless of whether it is invoked or not, the repercussions can be severe.

Registration Open!

Join the NYG&B and other genealogy experts for New York’s largest statewide family history conference:

• September 20–21, 2024 (Livestreamed from Syracuse, NY)
• September 20–November 1, 2024 (On-Demand Access)

This year's theme is Connect at the Crossroads and will feature livestreamed presentations in Syracuse, New York, as well as on-demand sessions to watch at your own pace. Can’t join us in person? No problem! All in-person events will be livestreamed and subsequently made available on demand.

From the essentials needed for navigating New York research to using maps, newspapers, letters, and journals on your historical journey to understanding immigration and migration patterns, the conference offers a rich array of sessions to help participants hone their skills.

The livestreamed portion of the conference will be held on Friday, September 20 and Saturday, September 21, 2024, at the Erie Canal Museum in downtown Syracuse (318 Erie Boulevard East, Syracuse, NY 13202). All the conference programming and sessions will be available to registrants for on-demand viewing through November 1, 2024.

What to Expect

• More than 20 of the top voices and experts in the genealogy field to lead sessions and answer your questions, including Michelle Tucker Chubenko, Skip Duett, Annette Burke Lyttle, Jeanette Sheliga, Jane E. Wilcox, and more.
• A total of 34 sessions and events (13 in person/livestreamed and 21 on demand) all for less than $10 a session.
• A rich array of programming—whether it’s mastering the basics or refining research to break through brick walls—on a variety of crucial resources like New York records and repositories; methodology; migration and settlement; immigration and immigrant communities; New Yorkers of color and others whose stories have been historically underrepresented; and much more.
• Learning opportunities with the wider genealogy and family history community.

Pricing

• Virtual Member Attendance (early registration by June 14, 2024): $189
• Virtual Member Attendance (after June 14, 2024): $209
• Virtual General Attendance: $245
• In-person Member Attendance (Syracuse)*: $229
• In-person General Attendance (Syracuse)*: $265

*All in-person programming will also be livestreamed and subsequently made available on-demand through November 1, 2024. Lunch is not included at the in-person conference.

What is the New York State Family History Conference? 

Researchers, genealogists, and all those interested in family history gather for the New York State Family History Conference, the largest statewide family history event held in New York. Over the years we’ve travelled to places like Tarrytown, Albany, and Buffalo, all while hosting hundreds of other researchers online. Last year's conference featured in-person and virtual programming as well as on-demand viewing of all 35 sessions.

What do I learn at the conference? 

Experts on New York, genealogy, family history, and various subject material teach the sessions. Many of these sessions cover advanced topics like DNA research and searching migratory records, but others can help you build your genealogy skills and get you ready to tackle some difficult situations in your research.

Who organizes the New York State Family History Conference?

The conference is organized and run by the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (NYG&B), a nonprofit organization based in New York City serving all parts of the State and region.

Our members are mostly from New York state but are also found around the country and world. This conference is the State’s largest event for family history and a place for all researchers to connect with others who share their interests, no matter how much experience you may have.

NYG&B members receive discounts to events like the New York State Family History Conference. Learn more about NYG&B membership.

What is the accessibility like at the Erie Canal Museum for in-person attendees?

The in-person presentations will take place in the Weighlock Gallery at the Erie Canal Museum, which is accessible by elevator.

Where should I stay in the Syracuse area if I’m coming to the conference in person?

The NYG&B does not have a hotel room block and any hotel reservations are the responsibility of registrants. We have compiled a list of local hotels in the Syracuse area for consideration.

Best Western Syracuse Downtown Hotel and Suites    
416 S Clinton St, Syracuse, NY, 13202  
(0.36 mi from Erie Canal Museum)

Collegian Hotel & Suites    
1060 E Genesee St, Syracuse, NY, 13210  
(0.73 mi from Erie Canal Museum)  

Crowne Plaza Syracuse   
701 E Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY, 13210  
(0.43 mi from Erie Canal Museum)

Hampton Inn & Suites Syracuse North Airport Area    
1305 Buckley Rd, Syracuse, NY 13212  
(4.2 mi from Erie Canal Museum)  

Marriott Syracuse Downtown    
100 East Onondaga Street, Syracuse, NY, 13202  
(0.44 mi from Erie Canal Museum)  

Parkview Hotel    
713 E Genesee St, Syracuse, NY 13210  
(0.44 mi. from Erie Canal Museum)  

Is lunch included at the conference for in-person attendees?

No, lunch is not included. In-person attendees are welcome to have lunch on their own off site or can bring a lunch to eat at the venue during the scheduled lunch break. There is no refrigeration on-site to store lunches.

What is New York Stories?

New York Stories pre-recorded, livestreamed video clips from the genealogy and family history community sharing memorable and notable stories. This special feature will be broadcast during the conference lunch breaks on September 20 and 21 and be available for on-demand viewing through November 1, 2024.

I have a New York Stories to share! How can I participate?

Many people have memorable stories; we want to hear yours! The theme of this year’s conference is "Connect at the Crossroads," and we are looking for submissions that tell stories from across New York State.

If you are willing to have your story filmed and publicly shared, please submit a brief summary (250 words maximum) of your story by July 31, 2024, to development@nygbs.org with the subject line “NY Stories Submission.” Narrated stories should be between 4 and 8 minutes long. If your submission is selected, the NYG&B will contact you to arrange a recording session. 

The following is a press release written by the (U.S.) National Archives and Records Administration:

The National Archives in Washington, DC, is pleased to announce its new rotating exhibit, Road to Revolution. The exhibit features a selection of records that document major milestones in the journey from colonial resistance to American independence and the experiences of the nation's founding generation.

“The founding of our nation is a story of courage and vision,” said Archivist of the United States Dr. Colleen Shogan. “With Road to Revolution we will showcase records from the National Archives that highlight the daring journey toward the birth of our nation and our collective pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness.” 

The Road to Revolution exhibition is part of Declaration250, the National Archives’ celebration of the nation’s semiquincentennial in 2026. “Through Road to Revolution and Declaration250, we will make American history engaging, accessible and exciting. We hope everyone will join us on the journey to 250,” Shogan added.

The exhibit’s first selection of records, Roots of Rebellion, focuses on the Seven Years’ War, a conflict that connects to the American Revolution. The display features historical records such as a 1765 map of the British colonies, a 1774 political cartoon by Paul Revere, and more. This first series of records is on display through August 28, 2024.

The National Archives will be sharing related documents from our holdings on our blogs and social media channels, like this new blog post about the Lee Resolution and its relationship to the documents on display in this exhibit. 

Road to Revolution is on display through August 6, 2026, in the West Rotunda Gallery at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. The visitor entrance is located at Constitution Avenue at 9th Street, NW. Admission is free. 

Future displays in the Road to Revolution series will feature records related to the First Continental Congress, Native Americans’ connection to the American Revolution, and more. 

Follow #ArchivesRoadToRevolution and #Declaration250 to learn more.

Road to Revolution is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation, through the generous support of Comcast Corporation and Microsoft Corporation.

About the National Archives

The National Archives and Records Administration is an independent federal agency that serves American democracy by safeguarding and preserving the records of our government so people can discover, use, and learn from this documentary heritage. The National Archives ensures continuing access to the essential documentation of the rights of American citizens and the actions of their government. From the Declaration of Independence to accounts of ordinary Americans, the holdings of the National Archives directly touch the lives of millions of people. The agency supports democracy, promotes civic education, and facilitates historical understanding of our national experience. The National Archives carries out its mission through a nationwide network of archives, records centers, and Presidential Libraries and online at www.archives.gov. 

About the National Archives Foundation

The National Archives Foundation is an independent nonprofit that increases public awareness of the National Archives, inspires a deeper appreciation of our country’s heritage and encourages citizen engagement in our democracy. The foundation generates financial and creative support for National Archives exhibitions, public programs, and educational initiatives, introducing America’s records to people around the U.S. and the world. Learn more at www.archivesfoundation.org.

The following was written by Dr. Michael Barron:

I am delighted that the National Library of Ireland has made available a body of work which tracks my life and work as a social justice activist over the past number of decades.

I am particularly happy that they have chosen to announce the availability of ‘The Michael Barron Papers’ during LGBTQ+ Pride Month. As a Queer person and activist, I have spent most of my life advocating for Queer Liberation and much of this work is now available at the National Library.

This year is also the 21st birthday of BeLonG To, the LGBTQ+ youth advocacy organisation, which I co-founded, so making these papers available is a kind of coming of age for us all.

The papers, which are available in person at the Library and through their digital archive which now contains the website Michael Barron, is a varied collection of research, toolkits, personal writing, newspaper articles, opinion pieces, campaign strategy, planning notes and reflections and ephemeral materials such as bags and badges.

While the story of social change in Ireland is often told through landmark events, these materials also tell a story of what happened between such events. They speak of the work and long term strategy that created the conditions that enabled the big events to take place. They tell an untold story of the pursuit of Equality for LGBTQ+ young people over decades, and how this work in turn changed Ireland for all LGBTQ+ people.

I share these papers on the basis that they can be useful. This position - ‘Above All, Be Useful’ - has always guided my approach to social justice and I hope these papers will be useful to researchers, students and anyone interested in activism for social justice.

As we live in uncertain times we need opportunities for intergenerational learning, and we need the hope that springs from knowing that this is not the first time we have faced many of today’s challenges.

The materials relating to my time advocating for LGBTQ+ young people at BeLonG To (2003-2015) talk to how we changed the public narrative and public policy towards LGBTQ+ young people in Ireland. The materials here detail the strategies used to change how LGBTQ+ young people felt about themselves, and in order to do this, how we set about changing how Ireland treated LGBTQ+ young people. This includes materials from multiple campaigns, including Aoife Kelleher’s TV documentary Growing Up Gay (2010) which brought the lives of Queer youth into most living rooms in the country, and the BeLonG To Yes campaign for Marriage Equality which invited the country to ‘Change forever what it means to grow up LGBTQ+ in Ireland.´

Also included in the archive is a catalogue of our engagement with the government during this time and how LGBTQ+ young people went from being unmentionable in public policy to being placed front and centre in too many policies to mention.

They also tell a story of the movement for the separation of church and state in Ireland during the first two decades of the 21st Century. Much of this work is captured in the ‘EQUATE’ section of the papers. EQUATE was an organisation I ran with a great team to increase access to and equality of experience in Irish schools, where the vast majority are maintained by Christian groups. Here you will find an array of campaign materials about the successful removal of the Baptism Barrier from most Irish schools (whereby religious schools could exclude children who were not of that religion). This includes campaign and communication strategies, notes from meetings with government, research, opinion polls and conferences.

The intersection of Church and State, when it came to both LGBTQ+ young people and when it came to school, was often an unwelcoming space for a social justice advocate. As such ,there is a particular focus on how to achieve social change within hostile environments.

It’s been a huge privilege to work with so many extraordinary people during the period covered in these papers - with young people who navigated the world with such grace and with fellow activists who fought the good fight. We have so much more to do, and I really hope these papers will be useful in our ongoing battle for liberation for all.

Dr Michael Barron

Social Justice Advocate

Michael works in Ireland and internationally to promote the rights of communities pushed to the margins of societies. In Ireland he was the Founding Director of BeLonG To LGBT Organisation and EQUATE: Equality in Education and today is the Executive Director of The Rowan Trust, an international human rights foundation. 

www.michaelbarron.org

In June 2024, MyHeritage published 200 million historical records from 13 collections. The newly added records are from the United States, Canada, Australia, and Norway. They include birth records, marriage and divorce records, death and burial records, census records, obituary records, parish baptisms and marriages, prisoner albums, alien immigration case files, and more. Some of the collections also include images.

Search them to discover a family treasure!

More details about each of the collections added in June may be found in a long, long list of newly-added records in the MyHeritage Blog at: https://bit.ly/4cVESnB.

The following was written by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety:

It is devastating when a loved one is missing. Often, the pain of not knowing what happened can be among the worst parts. That's why our Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) laboratory continues to explore and advance the use of scientific methods to help solve missing and unidentified persons cases.

While not all missing people are deceased, a major part of the work to solve missing and unidentified persons cases is identifying the people whose remains have been found. Our lab uses forensic services such as odontology (the study of the structure and diseases of the teeth), fingerprint examination, forensic anthropology, DNA analysis and forensic investigative genetic genealogy.

We have partnered with the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), a centralized repository and resource center for missing, unidentified, and unclaimed person cases across the U.S. NamUs partners with law enforcement agencies to bring attention to unidentified remains cases and help facilitate forensic services to help identify the people whose remains have been found.

The partnership builds upon the BCA's Unidentified Remains Project, which launched in 2012. Through the project, the BCA collects DNA samples from Minnesota families whose loved ones are missing. In addition to testing family reference samples, we also work to develop DNA profiles from dozens of unidentified deceased individuals across Minnesota. 

DNA profiles from both unidentified remains and family reference samples are entered into the FBI's National Missing Person DNA Database, where they are continuously checked against other entries to look for signs of a match.

“Since the Unidentified Remains Project started, nearly a dozen formerly unidentified people have been given back their names and returned to their families," said Cathy Knutson, Deputy Superintendent of BCA Forensic Science Services.

The identification also helps law enforcement determine what happened to the missing person. Knowing who a person is often an extremely helpful lead in the investigation of their death.

If your family member is missing, we encourage you to contact your local law enforcement agency or the BCA to provide a DNA sample to be compared with DNA from unidentified remains in Minnesota and around the country.

Contact your local law enforcement agency or the BCA's Minnesota Missing & Unidentified Persons Clearinghouse by calling 651-793-1118.

Be sure to have the missing person's name and date of birth. The BCA will confirm whether a missing person report was entered into the FBI's National Crime Information Center, and then will guide you through the necessary steps, including:

• Providing a DNA sample (cheek swab) and signing a consent form.
  
• If available, providing dental records, photos and any items which may contain the missing person's DNA (for example a toothbrush or a razor)
  

The following announcement was written by the (U.S.) National Archives and Record Administration:

July 08, 2024
Press Release Number CB24-CN.15

The U.S. Census Bureau today provided an update on the final three data products from the 2020 Census.

Detailed Demographic and Housing Characteristics File B (Detailed DHC-B) — Aug. 1.

The Detailed DHC-B provides household type and tenure information, including total household counts, for approximately 1,500 detailed race and ethnicity groups and detailed American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) tribes and villages. The final table shells are included on the “Detailed DHC A & B Tables” tab of the 2020 Census Data Product Crosswalk. Embargo subscribers can access these statistics beginning 10 a.m. EDT, Tuesday, July 30, for release at 12:01 a.m. EDT, Thursday, August 1. A webinar on the upcoming release is scheduled for July 23. More details are forthcoming.

Privacy-Protected Microdata Files (PPMF) — Aug. 5. (tentative)

The PPMF provides the complete set of privacy-protected records used to create the Redistricting Data Summary File (P.L. 94-171), Demographic Profile, and the Demographic and Housing Characteristic File (DHC). The PPMF consists of separate files for people and housing units. The files include geocode identifiers down to the census block level, enabling data users to generate custom tabulations for numerous geographic levels.

Supplemental Demographic and Housing Characteristics File (S-DHC) — Sept. 19.

The S-DHC tables combine the characteristics of households and the people living in them at the state and national level. These tables supplement the data about households and people available in the DHC, providing average household size and counts of people living in certain types of households. The final table shells are included on the “SDHC Tables” tab of the 2020 Census Data Product Crosswalk. Embargo subscribers can access these statistics beginning 10 a.m. EDT, Tuesday, Sept. 17, for release at 12:01 a.m. EDT, Thursday, Sept. 19.

The Detailed DHC-B, PPMF and S-DHC may also be accompanied by reports and results in other forms. The Census Bureau has moved deliberately to ensure that it produces the high-quality statistics that the public expects. The pandemic delayed 2020 Census operations, and the Census Bureau worked diligently to implement new confidentiality protections.