New FamilySearch Database Collections Update as of May 2, 2016

Millions of new US an international records this week including Philippines Civil Registration (National) 1945-1984, New Zealand Archives New Zealand Probate Records 1843-1998, Massachusetts Town Clerk Vital and Town Records 1626-2001, France Saône-et-Loire Military Conscriptions 1867-1940, Russia Tatarstan Church Books Continue reading New FamilySearch Database Collections Update as of May 2, 2016

Deciphering Handwriting in German Documents: Analyzing German, Latin, and French in Historical Manuscripts, NEW Second Edition

Germans have long been a scattered people. Millions of Americans identify their ancestral roots as German. For many, however, their ancestors spoke German but never lived in what constitutes modern Germany. Some “Germans” never even lived is what could be Continue reading Deciphering Handwriting in German Documents: Analyzing German, Latin, and French in Historical Manuscripts, NEW Second Edition

Dictionary of Americanized French-Canadian Names: Onomastics and Genealogy

Let me start with a simplified, and probably more than you will ever need, introduction to Dictionary of Americanized French-Canadian Names: Onomastics and Genealogy. In short, surnames of 17th and 18th century colonists have changed over 400 years. This dictionary Continue reading Dictionary of Americanized French-Canadian Names: Onomastics and Genealogy

Thirty Thousand Names of Immigrants in Pennsylvania

Thirty Thousand Names of Immigrants in Pennsylvania. This is one title that just about says it all. Of course, the expanded title page gives even greater clarity as to the origin of these names: A Collection of Upwards of Thirty Continue reading Thirty Thousand Names of Immigrants in Pennsylvania

German Documents: Analyzing German, Latin, and French in Vital Records Written in Germany

Germans have long been a scattered lot. Millions of Americans identify their ancestral roots as German. For many of these individuals, their ancestors spoke German but never lived in what constitutes modern Germany or even any previously identified German states Continue reading German Documents: Analyzing German, Latin, and French in Vital Records Written in Germany

Genealogy at a Glance: French Genealogy Research

If you are looking for French-Canadian research, there are plenty of resources available to help you out; including, a Genealogy at a Glance: French-Canadian Research. However, there are precious few book on researching one’s French ancestors, as in, from France. Continue reading Genealogy at a Glance: French Genealogy Research

Reading Non-English Records

Tracing one’s history in their own native language offers plenty of challenges. Changes in writing styles and in handwriting, problems with damage and discoloration, both added to transcription and indexing errors can make record finding and reading difficult at times. Continue reading Reading Non-English Records