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

A wireless flash drive? What's that? Why would I want one?

Most computer owners are familiar with flash drives. These storage devices are usually about two or three inches long and have a USB connector on one end. When plugged into a USB port on a Windows, Macintosh, or Linux computer, they appear to be equivalent to disk drives. The computer can read and write data to flash drives. However, unlike normal disk drives, there are no moving parts in flash drives. They are rugged, easily carried in a pocket or purse, and are great for saving and moving data from one computer to another. I use flash drives for several short-term backup purposes and also always take one to the library where I can copy data to the flash drive, take that data home, and then copy it to my home computer.

Several manufacturers have  introduced "wireless flash drives." These work in more-or-less the same manner as regular flash drives and they often even have USB connectors on one end. However, they also have another option: they can be connected to a computer via wireless wi-fi networking. There is no need to physically connect the flash drive to the desired computer. You also do not need any other wi-fi connection. The wireless flash drive is a free-standing wi-fi server. You can use it on an airplane or while on a boat, far removed from any other wi-fi networks.

The wireless capability is great for use with most handheld computing devices. Cell phones, tablet computers, some Kindles, and other mobile devices typically do not have USB connectors and therefore cannot use flash drives or other, plug-in storage devices. The wireless flash drive solves that problem: the mobile computing device can easily use the storage space within the wireless flash drive. A wireless flash drive can substitute for that "missing memory card slot" on your portable computing device. It also provides portable storage space for cell phone cameras. Did you ever fill your cell phone's storage space with pictures when you were not at home? In the future, you can copy all those pictures from the camera to the wireless flash drive, then erase the pictures in the cell phone, freeing up space for many more photos.

Wireless flash drives not only work with Windows, Macintosh, and Linux computers, but also with iPhones, Android devices, Kindle Fire e-readers, and other computing devices, including those without USB ports. Wouldn't it be nice to add another 64 gigabytes of storage or more to your Android or iPad tablet? A wireless flash drive can do that easily.

Even better, multiple computers can connect to one wireless flash drive simultaneously. When on an extended automobile trip, family members can share a flash drive. One adult can work on his or her genealogy, the teenagers can listen to MP3 music files or watch music videos, the younger children can play games or watch videos, with all data coming from a single wireless flash drive. The same is true for a business meeting where each attendee has his or her own laptop or tablet computer. Multiple people can access the same files on a wireless flash drive simultaneously. I suspect there are hundreds of other uses for these wireless storage devices as well. 

I recently purchased a SanDisk Connect Wireless Flash Drive and have since used it with two Macintosh computers, a Linux system, an Android cell phone, an Android tablet, and an (old) iPad Touch. It worked well with all of these devices.

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Museums from around the Highlands have joined forces to provide a new way to learn about the rich history of the area.

A new website provides a platform for people to learn about everything from archaeology and ancient stones, clans and Jacobites, the impact of world wars and everyday life to complex colonial histories alongside stories of historic Highlands people.

The learning hub, known as Museum of the Highlands, centres around an interactive timeline, allowing users to discover over 350 objects from 3 billion BC to the present day.

High-quality photographs along with detailed descriptions provide up-close analysis of each object.

Rosie Barrett, digital learning and interpretation specialist who worked on the project, said: “For anyone new to object-based learning, the concept is simple. The term refers to using physical objects as a teaching aid. We can see, touch, and even smell things our ancestors held and used to learn about the past. This project challenged us to capture and convey these physical attributes for a digital platform.

You can read much more about the Museum of the Highlands in an article by John Davidson published in The Northern Times web site at: https://www.northern-times.co.uk/news/historic-objects-open-up-stories-for-new-highland-museum-pla-316970/ while the Museum of the Highlands may be found at: https://museumofthehighlands.org/.  

Are the fingers on one or both of your hands permanently bent in a flexed position? If so, the reason might be because you have a lot of Northern European ancestry.

A new report in Molecular Biology and Evolution shows that a condition known as Dupuytren's disease is partly of Neanderthal origin. Researchers have long known that the disease was much more common in Northern Europeans than in those of African ancestry.

Dupuytren's disease is a disorder affecting the hand. Those who suffer from the condition eventually see their hands become bent permanently in a flexed position. Although the condition can affect any finger, the ring and middle fingers are most often afflicted. 

Scientists have previously identified several risk factors for the condition, including age, alcohol consumption, diabetes, and genetic predisposition. The new research paper claims that those are all secondary factors.

A 1999 Danish study reported 80% heritability for the condition, indicating a strong genetic influence. The condition is much more common in people of Northern European ancestry. One study estimated the prevalence of Dupuytren's disease among Norwegians over 60 years to be as much as 30%. The condition is rare, however, for those of primarily African descent.

This apparent geographic distribution has given Dupuytren's disease the nickname "Viking disease."

You can read more in an article in the phys.org web site at: https://phys.org/news/2023-06-viking-disease-disorder-neanderthal-genes.html.

A startup in Hyderabad, India is trying to use technology to help people understand their genome better. Speaking at the Mint Digital Innovation Summit on June 9, Anu Acharya, founder and CEO of Mapmygenome, said that understanding one’s genealogy can help individuals fight diseases better.

“Just like a Google map which helps you find the distance between places and the right location or route, genome mapping is used to identify and record the location of genes and the distances between genes on a chromosome, and helps you understand what diseases you are susceptible to and their prevention, in order live a healthy lifestyle,” said Acharya said.

The Hyderabad-based company has built something called Genomepatri (derived from two words - Janam and patri, means a person’s horoscope or birth chart, and in this case a genome chart), which aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of genetic risk of lifestyle diseases, predisposition to traits, carrier status and drug responses. 

You can read more in an article by Sohini Bagchi published in the techcircle.in web site at: https://tinyurl.com/2s4fsxnf.

When a massive wildfire started moving north toward the Town of Shelburne last week, Andrea Davis couldn't help but think back to another fire that had traumatized the community.

Davis, the executive director of the Black Loyalist Heritage Society, operates its museum in Birchtown, only a few kilometres southwest of Shelburne.

She said its predecessor, the society's old administration building, was the subject of arson in 2006.

The blaze destroyed "valuable, precious artifacts and documentation" of Black Loyalist history, she said.

"It was traumatic," Davis said Friday. "It still is traumatic and there's still this healing ... that is happening, especially with what's happening with the forest fires here in Shelburne County."

You can read the full story in an article by Cassidy Chisholm  published in the CBC News web site at: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/black-loyalist-museum-wildfire-birchtown-1.6871134 

Canada is close to reaching 40 million people, and Statistics Canada has launched a new tool to watch that population growth in real time.

The Canada population clock keeps an ongoing tally of births, deaths, immigrants, emigrants, non-permanent residents and inter-provincial migrants. The tracker also keeps count of the population of every province and territory, as well as the population change since midnight.

As of this publication, Alberta currently sports a population of just over 4,730,000.

Canada reportedly added over one million new residents in a one-year span from January 2022 to January 2023, a year-over-year increase of 2.7 per cent compared to the year prior.

According to Statistics Canada, 2022 marked the highest annual population growth rate since 1957, which held a 3.3 per cent increase due to the post-war baby boom and refugees from the Hungarian Revolution.

The tracker can be found online at the Statistics Canada website at https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/71-607-x/71-607-x2018005-eng.htm.

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

Thursday, June 15, 2023

Washington, DC

On Tuesday, July 4, 2023, the National Archives will celebrate the 247th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence with its traditional in-person Fourth of July program featuring musical performances and family activities. Highlights include welcoming remarks by Archivist of the United States Dr. Colleen Shogan, a variety of educational and family-friendly interactive programs with historical figures and Archives educators, and a lively, patriotic reading ceremony emceed by WUSA9 News Anchor Allison Seymour. All July 4th activities are free and open to the public. Extended hours for the National Archives Museum during the July 4th weekend (July 1, 2, 3, and 4) are 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Timed entry tickets to see the original Declaration of Independence in person are available, but not required.

July 4th at the National Archives is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation through the generous support of John Hancock, AARP, and Dykema.

“As the keepers of our country's founding documents - the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights - we at the National Archives have a unique privilege and responsibility to ensure all citizens have access to these historical charters, and the knowledge and promise that come with them,” said Shogan. “We proudly welcome everyone to come celebrate the Fourth of July with us.”

PROGRAM INFORMATION:  July 4th at the National Archives 

WHEN: Tuesday, July 4, 2023

Ceremony: 10 a.m.–11 a.m.  

Family activities: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. 

Exhibits (including the original Declaration of Independence): 10 a.m.–7 p.m. 

WHERE: National Archives Building Constitution Avenue steps 

 Between 7th and 9th Streets, NW, Washington, DC

 A riser will be reserved for the press. 

Note: The 10 a.m. ceremony will be livestreamed on the National Archives YouTube channel and on the US National Archives Facebook page. 

This family event is free and open to the public. Seating on the Constitution Avenue steps is available on a first-come, first-seated basis. 

Patriotic Shopping at the National Archives Tent Store on Constitution Avenue 

8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Live Musical Performance by The Experience Band and Show

9 a.m.–9:45 a.m. 

Declaration of Independence Reading Ceremony 

10 a.m.–11 a.m.

* Continental Color Guard and Fife and Drum Corps provided by U.S. 3rd Infantry, the Old Guard. 

Live Musical Performance by The Experience Band and Show

11 a.m.–11:45 a.m.

Stay and enjoy front-row seats for the National Independence Day Parade at 11:45 a.m.

Family Activities

11 a.m.–4 p.m.

Inside the National Archives Museum, Boeing Learning Center

Participate in hands-on family activities:

Related Upcoming Virtual Programs

The Road to the Declaration of Independence: 1774

Join us the week of June 26–30 for our next installment of The Road to the Declaration. This year’s series focuses on the stories and events of 1774. Meet Thomas Jefferson, John and Abigail Adams, Thomas Gage, Samuel Adams, John Dickinson, and others as they discuss the rights of British America, the establishment of the first government of the 13 colonies—the Continental Congress—how to address the Intolerable Acts, and the adoption of the Articles of Association.  These programs can be found in the Road to the Declaration Playlist on the National Archives YouTube channel.

Part One: The Intolerable Acts! 

Monday, June 26, at noon ET

Watch the Virtual Premiere on the National Archives YouTube Channel

Lt. Gen. Thomas Gage, Commander-in-Chief of His Royal Majesty’s forces in North America, explains what the Intolerable Acts meant for the American colonies. Samuel Adams reads one of his many letters after the passage of the Boston Port Act, which became one of the catalysts for the First Continental Congress. This program is presented in partnership with the National Archives Foundation and American Historical Theatre. General Gage is portrayed by  Robert Gleason. Samuel Adams is portrayed by David Holland. 

Part Two: A Summary View of the Rights of British America in 1774

Tuesday, June 27, at noon ET

Watch the Virtual Premiere on the National Archives YouTube Channel

As 1774 brings many changes to the life of Thomas Jefferson, he shares his sentiments on the recent British Parliamentary (Intolerable) Act and outlines a path forward for colonists. This program is presented in partnership with the National Archives Foundation and American Historical Theatre. Thomas Jefferson is portrayed by Steven Edenbo.  

Part Three: The Road to the First Continental Congress

Wednesday, June 28, at noon ET

Watch the Virtual Premiere on the National Archives YouTube Channel

By the summer of 1774, John Adams was a delegate to the First Continental Congress for the state of Massachusetts. As John and Abigail Adams discuss preparations for his trip to Congress in Philadelphia, they share the hardships and events of their temporary separation and look to a future that will include many more years of struggle on the Road to Independence. This program is presented in partnership with the National Archives Foundation and American Historical Theatre. John Adams is portrayed by Peyton Dixon. Abigail Adams is portrayed by Kim Hanley.

Part Four: The Continental Association and the Resolves of the First Continental Congress

Thursday, June 29, at noon ET

Watch the Virtual Premiere on the National Archives YouTube Channel

John Dickinson details his Petition to the King asking Britain to repeal the Intolerable Acts. As a delegate to the First Continental Congress representing Pennsylvania, he further details the resolves made by the First Continental Congress, known as the Continental Association (Articles of Association), and how those resolutions will affect trade for both the colonists and the British.This program is presented in partnership with the National Archives Foundation and American Historical Theatre. John Dickinson is portrayed by Douglas Thomas.

Part Five: 1774: The Year in Acts and Petitions

Friday June 30, at Noon ET

Watch the Virtual Premiere on the National Archives YouTube Channel

The Boston Gazette Print Shop sets the stage for a discussion of recent news including the Quartering Act, Manumission Petitions, and the Suffolk Resolves when Abigail Adams and Jeffrey Brace stop in and talk with Mrs. Benjamin Edes.This program is presented in partnership with the National Archives Foundation and American Historical Theatre. Abigail Adams is portrayed by Kim Hanley, Mrs. Benjamin Edes is portrayed by Jill Lawrence, and  Jeffrey Brace is portrayed by Keith Henley.

Help transcribe military pension files from the Revolutionary War!

Launching on June 22: Revolutionary War Pension Files Transcription Mission

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence, the National Archives and the National Park Service are collaborating on a special project to transcribe Case Files of Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Based on Revolutionary War Service, ca. 1800 - ca. 1912. These Revolutionary War Pension Files consist of applications and other records pertaining to claims for pensions and bounty land warrants.  

Related online exhibit highlight struggle for equal and civil rights 

Records of Rights permanent exhibit explores the ongoing struggle of Americans to define, attain, and protect the ideals of freedom enshrined in our nation’s founding documents. The “Bending Towards Justice” section showcases the drive for civil rights for African Americans. Online curators’ tour here.

The following note was written by Library and Archives Canada:

After the technical issues that affected the ability of users to access the 1931 Census database, we are pleased to announce that our system has stabilized. However, users may occasionally experience slow loading times. Our teams will continue to monitor the system’s performance and find solutions as the situation evolves.

We thank users for their patience and understanding. We hope that they will continue to pursue their searches, learn about their family stories, and uncover the history of Canadians.

The following announcement was written by the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG):

FREE BCG-SPONSORED WEBINAR

“Finding Your One Among Millions: Methods and Tips for Urban Research” 

by Amy Larner Giroux, PhD, CG, CGL

Tuesday, June 20, 2023, 8:00 p.m. (EDT)

Family history research in a large city can be richly rewarding as urban centers typically kept better records. However, when it is your ancestor who does not appear in the vital records, how do you find them? Searching among the plethora of people in a city such as New York can be challenging. This presentation will give attendees some ways to navigate research in urban areas using a case study in 19th-century New York City to illustrate the methods.

Amy Larner Giroux, PhD, CG, CGL, is co-author of the Florida edition of the NGS Research in the States series and has published in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society Record, The Genealogist (American Society of Genealogists), and Florida Studies. Her research interests include New York, New England, Florida, military cemeteries, burial iconography, and ethnic studies. She has lectured nationally and has taught at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research.

BCG’s next free monthly webinar in conjunction with Legacy Family Tree Webinars is “Finding Your One Among Millions: Methods and Tips for Urban Research” by Amy Larner Giroux, PhD, CG, CGL. This webinar airs Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at 8:00 p.m. EDT. 

When you register before June 20 with our partner Legacy Family Tree Webinars (http://legacy.familytreewebinars.com/?aid=8103) 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 Webinarswebsite.

“We appreciate the opportunity to present these high-quality educational webinars,” said

President Faye Jenkins Stallings, CG. “At BCG, our purpose is to promote public confidence in genealogy by supporting uniform standards of competence. These webinars help to achieve that by providing educational opportunities to family historians of all levels of experience.”

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 2023, visit the BCG blog SpringBoard athttps://bcgcertification.org/bcg-2023-free-webinars/. For additional resources for genealogical education, please visit the BCG Learning Center (https://bcgcertification.org/learning).

The words Certified Genealogist and its acronym, CG, are a registered certification mark, 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.

On June 15, 1904, (tomorrow is the anniversary of the event), the awful General Slocum steamboat disaster in New York City decimated the German-American community of Kleindeutschland: over a thousand women and children perished.

Geneanet, has honored the victims and survivors of the tragedy by documenting the lives of every known passenger. It’s a free and collaborative project, open to all. Over a thousand birth, marriage, and death certificates of the passengers' families, nearly all from the New York City Municipal Archives, have been digitized.

Geneanet also has over 100 photos of passengers; Geneanet volunteers searched through historical newspapers and the "instant books" of the era to find those.

The web site also has a scoop, not previously published: the handwritten telegram of condolences from the Kaiser who was attending the Gordon Bennett Cup road race in the Taunus mountains near Frankfurt. The Political Archive of the German Foreign Office in Berlin dug that out for Geneanet.

The article may be found at: https://en.geneanet.org/genealogyblog/post/2023/06/general-slocum-genealogies-a-thousand-source-documents-added

The collaborative family tree is available at:  https://gw.geneanet.org/generalslocum?lang=en