Friday, June 10, 2016

June 9th, A 2-Star Learning Day for EWGS


The Ancestry Users Group (TAG), honcho'd by Marge Mero, met at the Shadle Library at 12:30 on Thursday, June 9th. After introductions and welcomes (and donut bits!) the time was turned over to Doug Floyd for the lesson on understanding what probate is and finding probate records on Ancestry. 

Doug explained that probate means "the official proving of (as in a will)," or "establishing the validity of (as a will)."  He quoted the Legal Genealogist, Judy Russell, as saying that "probate records are the best records in genealogy." Doug explained the difference in some legal terms; testament refers to disposition of personal property while will spells out personal wishes and guardianship was not necessarily for the child but for the child's property. 

Doug directed us to the Ancestry Academy where there are two specific learning videos there for us to watch. Next he directed us to the Ancestry Card Catalog to look under the topic of "probate records" or jump to doing a locality search and see what Ancestry includes for probate records in your area of focus. 


The TAG meeting was followed by meeting #2 of the Genealogy Re-Focus group honcho'd by Teresa Smick, Liz Hawn and Sonji Ruttan. Teresa gave a most thorough lesson on finding and using the basic forms needed for genealogy, namely family group records/charts/forms.  Some 25 folks, eager for a basic-beginning-restart-focus attended. 

TAG will not meet in July or August. The Re-Focus group will meet the second Thursday, 12:30, Shadle Park Library and all are welcome. 

Check out their website:  www.genealoggyrefocus.wordpress.com 

Thursday, June 9th, was, indeed, a great learning day for EWGS. 

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