Member of ISOGG
Archive for May, 2012
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Ancestry.com has added more than 300,000 WWII
Cadet Nursing Corps Card Files dating from 1942 to 1948.
The United States Public Health Service supervised the Cadet Nurse Corps Program to
train nurses during the war. The records name more than 124,000 women between the
ages of 17 and 35 who participated in the program. Eighty-five percent of all nursing
students in the United States were a part of the Cadet Nursing Corps. (Read
more about the Cadet Nurse Corps program here.)
The Corps was non-discriminatory; members included American Indians, African-Americans
and even displaced Japanese Americans.
The records include corps membership cards. Different versions were in use over the
time period, but usually include at least the name of the cadet, serial number, name
of the nursing school or hospital, address of the school, and dates attended.
You can search this collection at Ancestry.com/nursing.
Looking for a WWI Red Cross Army Nurse? Get
research tips on FamilyTreeMagazine.com.
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Do you have ancestors from the Greater Cincinnati area? So do some of us at Family
Tree Magazine. Those who attend this week’s National
Genealogical Society Conference can visit our booth (#432) to swap ancestor resources,
but if you can’t get here, these are some of our favorite local genealogy resources
you can access from home:
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Cincinnati Birth and Death
Records, 1865-1912
Search local births and deaths and view digitized copies of the records.
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Cincinnati History Library and Archives
Search an index to 21 local history resources, search online photos, and learn about
the library’s resources.
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German Catholic Cemetery Society
Search a burial index to local cemeteries belonging to the society.
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Hamilton County,
Ohio, Cemeteries
With links to burial indexes where applicable.
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Hamilton County Genealogical Society Indexes
Indexes cover marriages and deaths in several local papers, both English- and German-language.
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Hamilton County
Probate Court Archive Search
Access digitized images of old estates, wills guardianships, vital registration, naturalizations
and more. We
wrote more about what records are on this site and how to use it here.
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Northern Kentucky Genealogy
Index
This library just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati lets you search names in Northern
Kentucky records including cemetery, church, city directory, court and more.
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Northern
Kentucky Newspaper Index
Search the library’s index to names in 11 local papers.
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Photos of
German Cincinnati
Get a sense of the area’s German heritage.
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Public Library of Cincinnati
and Hamilton County Virtual Library
Find city directories, Sanborn Fire insurance maps and other digitized resources. Learn
about the library’s Genealogy and Local History department here.
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University
of Cincinnati Archives and Rare Books Library
Online birth and death records, indexes to wills and naturalizations, finding aids
for library records, local German history and more.
Subscription site Ancestry.com has Ohio death records
and Kentucky birth, marriage and death records; and the free FamilySearch.org has
Ohio deaths, Kentucky probate records (unindexed) and Kentucky vital records indexes.
Check the May/June
2012 issue of Family Tree Magazine for our Cincinnati City Guide, which
has even more resources and tips for helping you find ancestors in the Queen City.
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The young woman I bought coffee from this morning (before heading to our booth at
the National Genealogical
Society conference in Cincinnati) was talking about last
night’s “Who Do You Think You Are?” and how she wants to check out the exhibit
hall today. Which is what we hope the show will do–be the spark that takes someone’s
interest in family history and turns it into action.
So, the show: Actor and comedian Jason Sudeikis researched his dad’s paternal line,
discovering a legacy of sons who grew up without their dads.
A death record told Sudeikis his dad’s dad, Stanley, died young, at age 32, from a
fall, and shared a residence in Chicago with an unknown woman who was the informant
on the record. A coroner’s investigation shed more light on the situation: The woman
was a cousin who testified that Stanley abused alcohol and slept in the park.
Court records showed Sudeikis his grandmother had filed for a legal separation from
her husband because he’d abandoned the family. He’d never met Sudeikis dad.
It turned out he was living what he knew. In census and marriage records, Sudeikis
found that Stanley’s father, Stanley Sr., had abandoned his first wife (Sudeikis’
great-grandmother) and married another woman in Connecticut. There was no record of
a divorce from the earlier marriage.
Stanley Sr.’s father died in Pennsylvania in a mining accident when his son was a
boy.
Not all family legacies are positive, but I like how this episode shows family history
can be rewarding even when you’re learning some sad truths. At the end of the episode,
Sudeikis honors his dad for breaking a cycle, and being a great father even though
he didn’t have a model to follow.
You can watch this show
online at the “Who Do You Think You Are?” website.
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When Jason Sudeikis set off to uncover the fate of his grandfather, whose story was a mystery to him, he probably didn’t expect to find three generations of fatherless sons, but that’s exactly what he discovered on Who Do You Think You Are? Included was an immigrant ancestor, Sudeikis’s great-great-great-grandfather, whose story unfolded with the help of passenger lists as family members came to America to start a new life. But tragically, his life was cut short by a mine explosion – an event that reverberated through the family tree for generations. Who Do You Think You Are? is sponsored by Ancestry.com and airs Fridays at 8/7c on NBC. Missed the episode? Watch it online.
Events and decisions in a single family member’s life can have long-term effects, sometimes affecting family for countless decades. And the outcomes can be good or bad. A decision to immigrate to a new country may bring with it opportunities not available back home. The loss of a job can be the trigger that launches a small, family-run business. Learning more about the stories of family members provides insight into the people they became. It may even shed a bit of light on who we are today, too.
Surname Forum Activity
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There will be a reunion in County Mayo for those with the connections to the ancestral surnames above from June 22 – June 24. Details at
http://www.munnellysofcountymayo.com/2012-reunion.html
Posted on the Munnelly Connection at facebook:
“Paul Manley
I will be bringing some historical items to the reunion to share. Among them is a 3 foot by 4 foot color map of the west coast of Ireland. It is was done in 1584 by a man named John Browne. It was was colored in Italy. The reproduction is in a 2003 article in the Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. I called the Society in Dublin from California and they were generous enough to send me a free copy. Also, I have the 2009 copy of the Ordinance Survey Letters for County Mayo from 1838. It is 350 pages long. It has a reproduction of several early maps of County Mayo. It is very strong on the origins of names of places and local history as told to John O’Donovan by the old timers in 1838. This is where we learn of the connection between the Munnellys, Ballymunnelly and the O’Doherty clan.”
Please let Kathy Manley Short ( katsjay2@bellsouth.net ) know ASAP if you are interested in attending.
Marianne Manley Granoff
Albuquerque, NM
granoff@zianet.com
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Surname Forum Activity
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Hi – just wondering if you all have heard about the Manley/Munnelly reunion in Ireland this summer? See www.munnellysofcountymayo.com for details. Also check out the ‘Munnelly Connection’ group on Facebook. (Manleys were originally Munnelys of County Mayo). Kathy
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I’ve written about Ancestry.com’s new autosomal DNA product, AncestryDNA, a number of times (see my review of the product at Ancestry.com’s AncestryDNA Product ).
Today, Ancestry.com announced the official release of AncestryDNA (see press release below). It is initially available only to Ancestry.com subscribers, at a cost of $99.
The launch page is here.
Ancestry.com Launches new AncestryDNA Service: The Next Generation of DNA Science Poised to Enrich Family History Research
Affordable DNA Test Combines Depth of Ancestry.com Family History Database with An Extensive Collection of DNA Samples to Open New Doors to Family Discovery
Ancestry.com (Nasdaq: ACOM), today announced the launch of its highly anticipated AncestryDNA™ service, a new affordable DNA test that enables purchasers of the DNA test and subscribers of Ancestry.com to combine new state-of-the-art DNA science with the world’s largest online family history resource and a broad global database of DNA samples.
The new DNA test analyzes a person’s genome at over 700,000 marker locations, cross referencing an extensive worldwide DNA database with the aim of providing exciting insights into their ethnic backgrounds and helping them find distant cousins who may hold the keys to exciting family history discoveries. By combining these genetic matches with Ancestry.com’s 34 million family trees and 9 billion records, AncestryDNA intends to provide a differentiated experience that helps find common ancestors dating back as far as the middle 18th Century.
“We’ve worked hard at Ancestry.com for more than a year building, testing, and reinventing our approach to genetic genealogy,” said Tim Sullivan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ancestry.com. “We think AncestryDNA has created a unique and engaging experience that will provide existing Ancestry.com subscribers with an entirely new way to make amazing discoveries about their family history. We are excited to be making AncestryDNA available to loyal Ancestry.com subscribers first…but we look forward to eventually opening up this service to everyone. We think it will allow us to extend our mission to help people discover, preserve, and share their family history to an even greater audience.”
AncestryDNA helps determine geographic and ethnic origins by comparing test-takers’ unique DNA signatures to the DNA of people from across the globe – drawn from the preeminent collection of DNA samples assembled by the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation. The current version of the test includes 22 worldwide geographical and ethnic categories, including six regions in Europe, five regions in Africa, and Native American.
“We think the newest DNA technology will dramatically change family history research. For the experienced genealogist it will help break down brick walls and for the casual family historian it will make it easier than ever to get started,” said Ken Chahine, Ph.D., J.D. Senior Vice President and General Manager of Ancestry.com DNA, LLC. “While the science is cutting edge, the new online experience is simpler and more intuitive than ever before. We’ve already had overwhelming response and positive feedback from beta users as they discover relatives and uncover the treasures their ancestors passed down through DNA. DNA picks up where the paper trail leaves off. Genomic science can extend family history research into parts of the world where few paper records are available.”
Interest in exploring family history is rising quickly, especially on the scientific front, and that interest extends all the way back to the “old country,” wherever it may be. In fact, 56 percent of Americans recently surveyed by Harris Interactive are interested in taking a DNA genealogy test, up from 42 percent less than a year ago*. What’s more, people’s family history interests reach back beyond arrival in America – nearly two in three respondents told Harris that learning about pre-U.S. family members is one of the most important benefits of researching family history.
Pricing and Availability
Due to very strong early interest and demand, AncestryDNA will initially be made available by invitation-only to Ancestry.com subscribers for $99, with the expectation that the service will be made available to the general public later this year. To learn more about AncestryDNA, or to sign up to be notified once it’s available, please visit www.ancestrydna.com.
In preparing to bring AncestryDNA to market with the best science and a broad set of research assets, AncestryDNA has organized a distinguished and independent Science Advisory Board and has also acquired access to DNA samples, many of which had been assembled by the non-profit Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation. AncestryDNA will be offered through Ancestry.com DNA, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ancestry.com.
Science Advisory Board
With the continued focus on developing a solid DNA platform that stays ahead of the genetic genealogy trends, AncestryDNA has assembled a well-respected Scientific Advisory Board that can advise the company on best practices in the emerging field of DNA and genomic testing. The board consists of:
· Carlos D. Bustamante, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Genetics at Stanford University School of Medicine
· Mark J. Daly, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Medicine Harvard Medical SchoolCenter for Human Genetics
· John Novembre, Ph.D., Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles
· Jeffrey R. Botkin, M.D., M.P.H., Professor of Pediatrics and Medical Ethics, Associate Vice President for Research, University of Utah
· Philip Awadalla, Ph.D., Director of the CARTaGENE BioBank, Saint Justine Hospital, Montreal, Canada
Addition of DNA Assets from the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation
In March, Ancestry.com DNA, LLC acquired access to an extensive collection of DNA assets from Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation, a non-profit organization. Founded by molecular genealogy pioneer, James LeVoy Sorenson, this organization has been dedicated to building the world’s foremost collection of DNA samples and corresponding genealogical information. Over the last 12 years, the Sorenson Foundation collected a one-of-a-kind DNA database of tens of thousands of DNA samples with documented family histories in more than 100 countries on six continents. This DNA database gives AncestryDNA test-takers an expanded family history genetic resource, and should enable new levels of discovery about people’s family backgrounds.
Jim Sorensen, President of Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation added, “We are pleased to bring this far reaching, unique DNA collection to AncestryDNA. My father, James L. Sorenson, envisioned creating a genetic map of the peoples of the world that shows relationships shared by the entire human family and with the shared vision and resources of AncestryDNA his legacy will greatly expand. We are confident in the capabilities and dedication of the team to realize the potential of genetic genealogy faster than anyone else in the field. We see this as a great benefit to consumers as well as the scientific community by combining some of the best science with the leader in family history.”
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Rashida Jones sums it up best herself in tonight’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? when she says that tracing her maternal line back six generations left her feeling “like a miracle.” For Jones, the discovery she makes is about a great-great-grandfather’s choice to leave Latvia — a single decision that saved an entire branch of Jones’s family tree. Tune in to NBC at 8/7c tonight to learn the whole story on Who Do You Think You Are?, sponsored by Ancestry.com.
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It’s an exciting day for DNA and family history fans alike here at Ancestry.com. You may have heard some of the hype about the new DNA test… well, it’s here! AncestryDNA™ has launched!
From the overwhelming interest we’ve seen, it seems our members are as excited as we are about this new advancement in DNA technology. Demand is through the roof, so for now, AncestryDNA will be available to Ancestry.com subscribers by invitation only. So be sure to get on the invite list here: www.dna.ancestry.com.
In the meantime, you can watch this video, meet a couple of members on the DNA team and see what the new AncestryDNA test is all about.
So, why is everybody so excited? What exactly can AncestryDNA do? Maybe all those family stories about your Viking ancestors were true. Maybe there’s a distant cousin you’ve never met who has a shoebox full of old photos to share. Now you can discover your genetic ethnicity, whether you’re Scandinavian, East Asian or Native American.
AncestryDNA also provides you with DNA matches—people who you may be related to. It’s a gold mine of new leads as you grow your family tree. Who knows what information is out there, waiting to be discovered? And the best part is, it’s dynamic and is continually updated as the database grows.
But the true power of AncestryDNA is that it can be integrated with all the resources available on Ancestry.com. 34 million family trees, 9 billion records—when combined with an AncestryDNA test, they create the most comprehensive family history experience yet.
Feeling a little social? Go to our facebook page and tell us what DNA discovery you’re hoping to make with the new AncestryDNA test. You could win our grand prize to help you with your family history search.
Let the discoveries begin!
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Ever wonder if there are new hints you haven’t seen hiding in your family tree? Now it’s easy to see new hints when they come your way—we’ve just released a feature to notify you when you get new hints. You may have noticed when you last visited Ancestry.com that the menu bar in the top-right corner of the site looks different. In addition to a new design, there’s now a leaf; a red number will appear on the leaf when you have new hints waiting for you.
From anywhere on the site you can click on the leaf in the menu bar to see a list of your new hints and review them right then or come back to them later. Clicking on an individual hint will take you to the Person Hint List to review hints for that person, and clicking on “See all recent hints” takes you to the All Hints Page to review all hints in your tree, which are listed by the most recent.
If you have several trees, but are only active on some of them, you can also set your preferences so you’re only notified about hints in the trees you’re actively working on. Hint Preferences are located on the Site Preferences page – just click on Site Preferences from the dropdown menu under your username.
Additionally, we’ve heard from some members that they are less interested in hints to other member trees than other hints, such as record hints. We want to make sure that this new feature, as well as Ancestry Hints in general, is useful to everyone. Now in Hint Preferences (found in Site Preferences) you can choose whether to display your Member Tree hints or not. This setting can remove Member Tree hints from the tree viewer, hint notifications, hint lists, hint counts, etc. Member Tree hints are still accessible, however they’ll only be found in the Member Tree view on the All Hints page (it will say “OFF”, but you can still click to see any Member Tree hints you may have). If you turn Member Tree hints back on they’ll reappear throughout the site.
We hope that these new features will help you to get the most from the hints in your family tree and make more meaningful discoveries. Let us know what you think. As you use this new feature, please take this survey to share your thoughts with us.