Posts Tagged ‘professional genealogist Chicago’
My latest book, Branching Out: Genealogy for Adults Lessons 1-30 is now available on the Nook and Kindle.
The paperback version in in proof stage and will be released by NGS on May 9. You will be able to purchase it on CreateSpace when it is released. At this time I am not sure if there will be copies for sale at NGS.
Stay tuned for more information on this book and the Engaging the Next Generation: A Guide for Genealogy Societies and Libraries which helps societies and libraries create youth genealogy programs. That book also contains the entire 30 lessons for the 4th-8th grade student books. I am hoping to have these available for sale at NGS.
What’s in this book?
Lesson 1: What is Genealogy and Why Should I Care?
Lesson 2: Where Do I Start? What Do I Need?
Lesson 3: Genealogy Databases
Lesson 4: Timelines
Lesson 5: Sources and Citations
Lesson 6: Direct and Indirect Evidence
Lesson 7: Interviewing Family
Lesson 8: Write a Story
Lesson 9: Research Plans and Logs
Lesson 10: Research Agendas for Libraries and Archives
Lesson 11: Home Sources
Lesson 12: Hidden Sources
Lesson 13: Vital Records
Lesson 14: Census Records
Lesson 15: Social Media
Lesson 16: Health and the Causes of Death
Lesson 17: Occupations
Lesson 18: Probate Records
Lesson 19: Land Records and Maps
Lesson 20: Military Records
Lesson 21: Religious and Cemetery Records
Lesson 22: Immigration
Lesson 23: Naturalization Records
Lesson 24: Newspapers
Lesson 25: Ephemera
Lesson 26: Examine it Once, Twice, and Again
Lesson 27: Travel and your Family History
Lesson 28: Storing and Organizing Paper and Digital Files
Lesson 29: Putting it all Together
Lesson 30: Where to Go From Here
Generations publishes six new genealogy textbooks for kids. Parents, teachers, and genealogical societies looking for a how-to genealogy textbook for elementary through high school-aged students need to look no further. In Branching Out, a new series available from Generations, author and professional genealogist Jennifer Holik provides parents and educators with the tools they need to teach genealogical research skills to children and teens.
Through thirty fun and educational lessons, students will learn the foundations of genealogy and how to begin research on a level that they can understand and enjoy. Each lesson contains a clearly defined goal, all necessary vocabulary, additional reading assignments, and lesson and homework assignments to extend understanding of the concept.
The Branching Out series of books begins with six paperback textbooks which are also available as a PDF or PowerPoint download. The PowerPoint files, which were created with the visual and hands-on learner in mind, contain the same information as the textbooks with a few fun and interactive extras.
The Branching Out: Genealogy Lessons for Adults will be released in April with additional books for families, genealogical societies, and educators to be published later in 2012.
The books are available on CreateSpace in paperback form at the links provided. The PDF and PowerPoint files are available at the Generations Store at: http://www.e-junkie.com/generationsBranching Out: Genealogy for 1st – 3rd Grade Students Lessons 1-15 Book $24.95
PDF $17.95
PowerPoint $17.95
Branching Out: Genealogy for 1st – 3rd Grade Students Lessons 16-30 Book $29.95
PDF $20.95
PowerPoint $20.95
Branching Out: Genealogy for 4th – 8th Grade Students Lessons 1-15 Book $26.95
PDF $18.95
PowerPoint $18.95
Branching Out: Genealogy for 4th – 8th Grade Students Lessons 16-30 Book $32.95
PDF $23.95
PowerPoint $23.95
Branching Out: Genealogy for High School Students Lessons 1-15 Book $29.95
PDF $20.95
PowerPoint $20.95
Branching Out: Genealogy for High School Students Lessons 16-30 Book $34.95
PDF $24.95
PowerPoint $24.95
If you live in the Chicagoland area, you can meet Jennifer and purchase books at the Fountaindale Public Library’s Author Fair on Saturday, April 14, 2012. For more information visit the Ge
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This is a guest post written by my Branching Out series of books editor, Stephanie Pitcher Fishman. The books launch Wednesday!
Where Our Lines Intersect
I come from good stock: Corn and Cotton. One line grew up among the cornfields of Ohio and roaming through the beautiful lands of New England. Another is deeply rooted in the cotton fields growing in red Georgia clay and proud of it. I’ve been blessed to spend half my life in each, and I’m finally starting to feel as though both are home. What seemed so different to me growing up has become nearly the same in my adult years. Yes, there are differences, but they boil down to the same good stuff: once you step foot into either house you are home. I feel the same way when I search the genealogical records of each branch of my family. They may have been on opposite sides of the Mason-Dixon and the Civil War, but they are both mine. And, I’m proud of each.
The study and practice of genealogy is as different to people as my corn line and my cotton line may
appear to those on the outside of my research. Whether you consider yourself a hobbyist or a
professional, or someone caught between the two, genealogy is far more than can be defined by those two designations. Genealogy is built on relationships. It’s a passion of the heart and a longing of the soul to connect to relatives unknown to us. We call them ancestors and descendants, and we place them neatly on their branch of a chart. However, they are much more than that to us. They are family.
Whether we are new to research or seasoned with discoveries we all long to find just one more connection before we quit for the day.
My journey into family history started when I was looking for an activity to do with my cotton Granny. Unknown to me at the time, she was in the beginning stages of dementia. The project that started as a time killer grew into one that created memories that I would soon cherish. It saved names and places that we may have lost with her a few years later. It created in me a desire to know more about our past generations than I did. And, it shaped who I would become nearly two decades later. As genealogists we look at the facts and records, and we take note of the accomplishments of those around us. However, we rarely stop to ask why a person was drawn to their research in the first place. I’m sure if we did we’d find that we all have the same motivations even if our starting and ending points are different. Our community is large and loving, and we need to recognize our similarities rather than our differences just like I did with my lines. Whether hobbyist or professional, if we look closely enough we’ll find that we are all the same. We are all corn and cotton. We just need to find where our paths intersect like my lines did in me.
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Stephanie Pitcher Fishman is a freelance writer, editor, and genealogical researcher specializing in Midwestern and Southeastern United States family history, specifically within Ohio and Georgia. Stephanie also writes the Columbus Genealogy column (http://www.examiner.com/genealogy-30-in-columbus/stephanie-fishman) for Examiner.com. You can learn more about her research, writing, and editing services at Corn and Cotton: My Family’s Story (http://www.cornandcotton.com).
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- Book Review – “Finding Your Chicago Irish” (generationsbiz.com)
- Are you Reading other Genealogy Examiners? (examiner.com)
Have you signed up for the Generations newsletter? If not, you should! There are giveaways, news about the new Branching Out kids’ books, news from other genealogists and information for kids and teachers, just to name a few of the included items.
Sign up today! Monday, March 19, I’m giving away a copy of Finding Your Chicago Ancestors by Grace DuMelle.
And, you will be among the first to receive the press release with links to purchase my new kids’ books!
Lake Claremont Press sent me a couple of books to read and review on my website. Finding Your Chicago Irish, by Sharon Shea Bossard was one of these books.
Before I opened this book I thought it would provide a lot of information about Irish genealogy in Chicago. Well, it has a chapter on genealogy, but the book is much more than that. Bossard writes not only about finding your Irish roots, but enjoying and being a part of the Irish culture in Chicago. Her book is described as a GPS of finding your Chicago Irish.
Her book is divided into twelve chapters which aid researchers and non-researchers on their quest of everything Chicago Irish. By exploring the resources and participating in the events Bossard describes, you will learn more about your heritage and the place of the Irish in the city.
- Cinema and Theater
- Music, Dance, and Performance
- Organizations and Clubs
- Education, Language, and Media
- Sports
- Pubs and Restaurants
- March and St. Patrick’s Day
- Events, Festivals, and Tourism
- Shopping
- Canines
- Citizenship and Genealogy
- Recipes
Of special interest to genealogists is the Citizenship and Genealogy chapter. Bossard discusses how to research and submit documentation for dual citizenship. She goes on to briefly explain how to begin genealogical research, where to find records and suggests local resources and various websites such as Ellis Island.
This book is definitely a must have for anyone tracing their Irish Chicago ancestors. I am giving away a copy of this book on March 19. All you have to do is subscribe to my newsletter to enter the giveaway.
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- Are you Reading other Genealogy Examiners? (examiner.com)
I ordered the first proof copy of the first book in my new Kids’ Genealogy Series!! I should have it in a couple of days. I’m so excited!
To celebrate I’m doing a giveaway! I received a complimentary copy of Finding Your Chicago Ancestors by Grace DuMelle from Lake Claremont Press. I will have a random drawing on Monday, February 20, 2012. All you have to do to enter the drawing is subscribe to my newsletter!
The subscription area is in the left-hand column of this site.
My newsletter will begin going out on Monday, February 20, 2012. The winner will be announced there!
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- Follow Friday – Examiner.com Authors (generationsbiz.com)
I am happy to report that my Kids Genealogy Lesson Books are on track to sell April 1. Lessons 1-15 are complete and proofs have been ordered! The following titles will be released.
- Branching Out: Genealogy for 1st – 3rd Grade Students Lessons 1-15
- Branching Out: Genealogy for 1st – 3rd Grade Students Lessons 16-30
- Branching Out: Genealogy for 4th – 8th Grade Students Lessons 1-15
- Branching Out: Genealogy for 4th – 8th Grade Students Lessons 16-30
- Branching Out: Genealogy for High School Students Lessons 1-15
- Branching Out: Genealogy for High School Students Lessons 16-30
- Engaging the Next Generation: A Guide for Genealogical Societies and Libraries
If you would like to stay informed of the progress and possibly win a copy of one of the books, you can sign up for my newsletter on this site in the top left column of the page. My newsletter will launch in May where the winner will be announced.
For more information, watch this blog or my Generations site. You can also “Like” us on FaceBook.
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- Wisdom Wednesday – Learn about Social Media & Online Family Trees (generationsbiz.com)
- Are you Reading other Genealogy Examiners? (examiner.com)
- Online Genealogy Forms from David Haas (examiner.com)
- Kids Genealogy: Where To Begin (examiner.com)
Are you a homeschool parent or teacher? Librarian or scout leader? A parent or grandparent? Are you interested in engaging the younger generation in their family history?
April 1, 2012 I will launch a set of kids genealogy lesson books for first through twelfth grade students.
Stay tuned for more information and where you can find these books and me in April!
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- Follow Friday – Launching Kids Genealogy Lessons (generationsbiz.com)
- Kids Genealogy: The Family Unit (examiner.com)
- Kids Genealogy: Evaluating Records and Information (examiner.com)
- Follow Friday – Tony’s Genealogy Blog (generationsbiz.com)
- Kids Genealogy: Activity – Write A Story About Your Thanksgiving Traditions (examiner.com)
Thank you to Jennifer Shoer for her second guest post for kids! If you missed Part I, you can still read it here.
Turn the Camera on Your Parents and Grandparents – Video for Family History – Part 2
The holidays are right around the corner. No matter what holiday you will be celebrating, I bet you will be spending time with your family. Sometimes it seems boring to spend time with older people, but when was the last time you sat down and asked them questions about their lives…what they love, what they remember and what it feels like to be X years old?
In my last post I told you about my grandfather, Bubba, who was an amazing family historian. He recorded the details of our lives in both photos and movie film. Bubba died twelve years ago. I will always remember how many years it has been because my youngest son was born the same year. Bubba did get to hold him, make a wish (Do all families make wishes on new babies?) and call him the ugliest baby in the family (the newest was always the ugliest).
I like knowing that Bubba lived to hold all of my babies and I love looking at pictures of him, but do you know what I really wish? I wish I had taken movies (or videos as they are known today). I wish I could hear his voice and his chuckle. He told my sister and me so many stories. I tell my kids the ones I can remember, but how much cooler would it be if they could hear his stories and his chuckle as if he was sitting in the room. Some people might find that creepy and it might have been hard to watch the videos soon after he died, but now twelve years later I would love to hear and see him tell one of his stories again.
Turn the Camera on Your Parents and Grandparents
When you get together with your parents, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents over the holidays, do me a favor and turn the camera on your parents and grandparents. Borrow a video camera or whip out your smart phone and ask one of them (or the eldest) to sit down with you. Tell them you want to learn more about them and their lives and that you would like to create a video of your conversation.
Create a Video for Family History
- Make a list of questions before the interview or look at websites for questions:
http://genealogy.about.com/cs/oralhistory/a/interview.htm
http://articles.scrapbooking.com/family_history.htm
- Be sure your video camera is fully charged and that you have extra batteries or a charger.
- Ask as many or as few questions as you would like. There are no rules! This is your interview.
- Prop the camera up so that your hands are free and so that your subject does not get distracted by it.
- Let your subject talk without interrupting him or her. If you think of something to ask while they are talking, write it down and then ask it when they finish.
- Thank them for their time and for sharing their stories with you!
- Upload the video to your computer and share it with your family members. Burn copies to DVD or flash drives.
I hope you get a chance to make a video soon.
Happy Holidays!
Scrappy Gen
Let’s Remember!
Photo credits: Jennifer Shoer’s personal collection. Used with permission.
Want to know more about Jennifer? You can find her at the Scrappy Genealogist blog or on Twitter @ScrappyGen. Thank you Jennifer!!
This continues a series of guest posts from my friends around the blogosphere who can offer specialized tips for kids.
Lorel Kapke on using Sort Your Story
Finding your grandparents name listed in a document can be very exciting, not just for you but for your parents as well. My dad Raymond Kapke, was 5 years old when his father Walter Kapke died and he new little of his fathers life. He took the train from Milwaukee to Cedarburg, WI to visit his grandparents, John Kapke and Mother Marie Nero but they passed away when Ray was 7 and 8 years old. Ruby Toll, Walter’s wife, was left to raise Ray and his three older brothers, this left little time to discuss their family history. Ruby and her mother Bertha Gilbert ran a boarding house and while cooking and baking they would talk about family with little Ray under foot, this was during the 1930’ and 1940’s, during troubled times.
So back to finding those documents and forming a picture of your family as you put the pieces of your puzzle together.
I went into Ancestry.com and entered my grandfathers SURNAME (last name) and First name and found my grandfather in the 1920 Census. Walter was listed with Ruby and dad’s older brothers but my father would have to wait until the 1930’s census as he was born in 1923. Each Census offers different data and 1920 Census offered this information.
I transcribed and placed this valuable information into the Sort Your Story Profiler and included thumbnails of both the 1920 Census and the Ancestry.com 1920 Template Census for reference.
Now it is time to print out this data and add to the KAPKE PROFILER BOOK!
I’ve acquired valuable information to continue the search for more information about my grandfather.
Walter A KAPKE.
Have you found a Census of your grandparent???
Thank you Lorel for sharing your story about Walter Kapke!
