Labor Day Weekend Freebies at Ancestry & NEGHS

• Ancestry launched its new Probate and Wills collection today: 170 million pages of records from from all 50 states spread over 337 years (1668-2005). These are searchable by name. To celebrate, this collection PLUS all of Ancestry's birth, marriage, and death records are FREE to access NOW through Monday, September 7th, at 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Keep in mind:
• The collections are not complete for each state. Counties are missing, some just have indexes, some date ranges are limited.
• "Probates and Wills" can mean other court records, too. I found divorce, guardianship, and commitment papers (to a state hospital) for several individuals I was searching.
• If you don't already have an Ancestry subscription, you'll need to create a free login.
• For best results, use the "Any Event" search fields (date, location) rather than the "Death" search field.

• The website of the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS), AmericanAncestors.org, is offering free access to their Census, Tax and Voters Lists from now until Wednesday, September 9th. 
• If you don't already have an AmericanAncestors subscription, you'll need to create a free login.
• They tend to have a lot of New York State records, so if you don't have New England ancestors, but do have New York ones, check it out.

Have a safe weekend, and Happy Hunting!

NEHGS--Upcoming Research Tours

I received this from Alessandra Magno of the New England Historic and Genealogical Society:

Dear Miriam,

I just wanted to reiterate that NEHGS is hosting several exciting Research Tours. Here is a list that you and your readers may find interesting:

Winter Weekend Research Getaway - Effective Use of Technology
NEHGS Weekend Research Getaways combine personal, guided research at the NEHGS Research Library with themed educational lectures to create a unique experience for every participant. Personal consultations with NEHGS genealogists throughout the program allow visitors to explore their own genealogical projects, under the guiding hand of the nation’s leading family history experts.

Our Winter Research Getaway, “Effective Use of Technology,” offers a variety of lectures surrounding “best practices” in using technology including researching online, software, and other topics relevant to any genealogist.

January 27, 2011 9:00AM – January 29, 2011 5:00PM

New England Historic Genealogical Society
99-101 Newbury St.
Boston MA, 02116
www.AmericanAncestors.org


English Heritage Long Weekend
Discover the rich heritage of London with NEHGS in February 2011. This unique long weekend will feature memorable events led by renowned scholars George Redmonds and John Titford, including talks, a guided tour of historic London churches, a visit to the College of Arms, optional side visits, special guests, and dinner at an exclusive private club. The weekend also includes up to three full days at Who Do You Think You Are? LIVE! — the largest family history event in the world. Space is extremely limited. In addition to events, the NEHGS English Heritage Long Weekend includes six nights lodging at the Hilton London Kensington Hotel, located at 179–199 Holland Park Avenue, London, daily coach service, and daily English breakfast for five days, and two additional group meals. Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements to and from the Hilton London Kensington Hotel and optional activities and all other meals not included in scheduled tour events. Refer to AmericanAncestors.org for more information about the trip and accommodations.

February 22, 2011 – February 28, 2011 12:00PM

London, England


Washington, D.C. Research Tour
Research in the repositories of the nation’s capital with NEHGS as we return to Washington, D.C. Researchers will visit the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Library, Library of Congress (LOC), and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) during this intensive week of guided research, individual consultations, lectures, and group meal events. Featured consultants include Henry B. Hoff, David A. Lambert, and Rhonda R. McClure. Refer to AmericanAncestors.org for more information about the trip and accommodations.

March 6, 2011, 3:00PM – March 13, 2011, 12:00PM

Washington, D.C.


Allen County Public Library Research Tour—Fort Wayne, Indiana
Join NEHGS for our inaugural visit to Fort Wayne, Indiana, as we explore one of the world's largest genealogical collections at the Allen County Public Library (ACPL). Fort Wayne has been dubbed the “Best Read City” by Places Rated Almanac as ACPL holds more than 350,000 printed volumes and more than 513,000 items of microfilm and microfiche. Consequently, ACPL is a destination for every genealogist. The tour includes individual consultations, group meals, lectures, and other events. Please refer to our website, AmericanAncestors.org, for more information about the trip and accommodations.

May 22, 2011 3:00PM - May 29, 2011 11:00AM

Allen County Public Library
900 Library Plaza
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
For additional information contact education@nehgs.org or call 1-888-286-3447


Weekend Research Trip to Albany, New York
Searching for ancestors from New York State? Join NEHGS as we explore the vast resources of the New York State Archives. The weekend includes individual consultations, lectures, and a group dinner. Featured consultants include Henry B. Hoff, editor of the Register, and Christopher C. Child, Genealogist of the Newbury Street Press. Please refer to AmericanAncestors.org for more information about the trip and accommodations.

July 13, 2011 3:00PM - July 17, 2011 11:00AM

Albany, NY
For additional information contact education@nehgs.org or call 1-888-286-3447

Upcoming Events at NEHGS!

The following is a press release from the New England Historic and Genealogical Society:

January New Visitor and Welcome Tour
Starting your family genealogy can seem a little daunting at first. There is so much information found in a variety of locations. Let NEHGS help you make sense of it all by attending this FREE lecture for both members and non-members. This talk introduces you to the NEHGS research library, located at 99 Newbury Street in Boston. You will also have an opportunity to describe your research interests to one of our expert genealogists on staff, who can offer some advice on how to proceed. The program starts with a thirty-minute introductory lecture and will be followed by a tour of the library and its vast holdings. Make plans to start your genealogy with this great tour.


January 8, 2011 10:00AM - 11:30AM

New England Historic Genealogical Society
99 Newbury St.Boston MA, 02116
www.AmericanAncestors.org


Using AmericanAncestors.org
NEHGS recently launched its new Website, AmericanAncestors.org. It is full of new features, tools, resources, and content that highlights NEHGS’ growing national expertise in genealogy and family history. We now have more than 135 million searchable names covering New England, New York, and other areas of family research dating back to 1620. We invite you to attend this free lecture to learn more about this incredible online resource.

January 12, 2011 10:00AM - 11:30AM

New England Historic Genealogical Society
99 Newbury St.
Boston MA, 02116
www.AmericanAncestors.org


Dom's, An Odyssey
Join NEHGS as we welcome guest speaker Dom Capossela, who will discuss his recent book, Dom's, An Odyssey. Dom's, An Odyssey is an immigrant story. Through the lens of Italian immigration, with a tour of Boston's 1950s North End, Dom takes us on a voyage of discovery which reminds us of the immigrant roots of All Americans.

January 19, 2011 7:30PM
New England Historic Genealogical Society
99 Newbury St.
Boston MA, 02116
www.AmericanAncestors.org


Winter Weekend Research Getaway - Effective Use of Technology
NEHGS Weekend Research Getaways combine personal, guided research at the NEHGS Research Library with themed educational lectures to create a unique experience for every participant. Personal consultations with NEHGS genealogists throughout the program allow visitors to explore their own genealogical projects, under the guiding hand of the nation’s leading family history experts.

Our Winter Research Getaway, “Effective Use of Technology,” offers a variety of lectures surrounding “best practices” in using technology including researching online, software, and other topics relevant to any genealogist.

January 27, 2011 9:00AM – January 29, 2011 5:00PM
New England Historic Genealogical Society
99 Newbury St.
Boston MA, 02116
www.AmericanAncestors.org

NEHGS Officially Moves Its Website to AmericanAncestors.org

Boston, MA – November 23, 2010 – Today, The New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) in Boston bids farewell to its former website www.NewEnglandAncestors.org and officially welcomes AmericanAncestors.org as its new home.

In August, D. Brenton Simons, President and CEO of NEHGS, announced the launch of AmericanAncestors.org. Unlike the former website, AmericanAncestors.org contains all of the Society’s New England and New York content, features, articles, and resources, as well as weekly updates and databases in a variety of regional and ethnic specialties, like mid-Atlantic, Irish, and African American research.

Simons said, “This website marks a transformative experience in our 165-year history, the first genealogical society founded in America. It represents the next major step ahead as we continue to expand our resources.” Simons added, “AmericanAncestors.org is a new, dynamic platform from which we will grow in our position as a leader in American genealogy and as the nation’s largest genealogical society.”

AmericanAncestors.org provides online access to some of the most vital research tools and resources available. Some of the improvements include a new image viewer, faster navigation and search results time, and more unique content. This expanded scope allows greater opportunity for NEHGS to bring unique content to its members as well as the public while establishing new and beneficial collaborations with likeminded non-profit organizations and important commercial entities.

Ryan Woods, Director of Technology, notes a significant advantage of the AmericanAncestors.org website, “The new advanced search form provides all of the necessary search fields to conduct a thorough and specific query, removing the need to navigate across what were previously four hundred different search pages.”

Since the launch of AmericanAncestors.org, there has been constant praise of the new site. Compliments have been given to specific features, such as the advanced search engine, the quality of the images for the Massachusetts Vital Records, the heighted processing speed, and effortless navigation of the website.

Other features that AmericanAncestors.org offers include:

• More exclusive content: more unique, searchable, highly vetted materials for New England, New York, and other regions added weekly

• Enhanced search engine: an all-new, true “master search” that will search across all databases and other web-based content, with faster results and easier navigation

• Personal research profile: a social networking feature for NEHGS members to develop an online profile and input family research information, and even share them with others
  
• Improved images: a state-of-the-art new image viewer that will provide easier saving, and viewing of images and data

• Timely information: more news on our homepage and an enhanced blog “The Daily Genealogist” will bring our weekly electronic newsletter to the next level with stories and helpful research tips

Moreover, NEHGS is continuing to invite people to sign up for the NEHGS free registration “Guest Registration” program. This program provides anyone with free access to the popular weekly news stories as well as special access to a variety of databases, resources, articles, and other tools to help with their research. More information can be found on the NEHGS website at www.AmericanAncestors.org.

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About NEHGS
The New England Historic Genealogical Society is the country's leading resource for family history research. We help family historians expand their knowledge, skills, and understanding of their family and its place in history. Founded in 1845, NEHGS is today the oldest and largest non-profit genealogical organization, with more than 26,000 members nationally. The NEHGS research headquarters, located at 99-101 Newbury Street in Boston, is home to some 28 million books, journals, manuscripts, papers, photographs, documents, and other artifacts, many of which date back centuries.

Its award-winning website offers access to more than 135 million names from 2,400 databases. NEHGS staff includes some of the leading expert genealogists in the country specializing in American, Irish, English, Italian, Scottish, Atlantic and French Canadian, African American, Native American, and Jewish genealogy.

Boston Family History Day 2010

Press release from Ancestry.com and the New England Historic Genealogical Society:

Ancestry.com and the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) have once again collaborated to present Boston Family History Day 2010 -- Saturday, October 16, 2010, at the Seaport World Trade Center, in Boston, Massachusetts.

This full-day event will help you start or hone your genealogical skills:

•  More than 12 family history classes designed to help you grow your tree and learn more about NEHGS and Ancestry.com resources
•  Chances to meet one-on-one with professional genealogists
•  A beginner’s track where your family and friends can learn the basics to start their own research
•  Opportunities to have photos and documents scanned on high-speed scanners
•  NEHGS and Ancestry.com experts on hand to answer your questions
•  And much more!

Register today to attend Family History Day 2010 in Boston! The cost for attendance is only $38 for the full day. To learn more about Boston Family History Day 2010 – including class, scanning and consultation offerings, visit www.FamilyHistoryDay.com. We hope to see you there!