BS
BGS Newsletter
This Month’s
THE BAYTOWN GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY, INC. Newsletter is
Dedicated to
Trevia Wooster
Beverly for Her
Next BGS Meting:
NEXT BGS MEETING WILL BE
At the Post and Beam Barn located at the Republic of Texas
Plaza Park, 5117 North Main, Baytown, TX
January 14, 201 10:00 AM
Special Guest Speaker: Jeremy Balkin, Family Tree DNA
All of us at the Baytown Genealogy Society wish
you and your families a very happy New Year!
Tracing Your Mexican Ancestors Back to Spain
Check out “Los Fundadores: Finding Your Spanish
Ancestors in Mexico”
https://meicangenealogy.info/researching-early-
church-records-for-mexico/
Findmypast Announces Trial of Revolutionary New
Newspaper Search
• Historical newspaper, the Essex Newsman, now
available to search with greater accuracy than
ever before
• New search allows researchers to accurately
identify names among billions of lines of
newsprint adding color, context and depth to
their family history research
• This new method of searching OCR generated
text is being tested for the first time and will be
developed further soon
Leading British and Irish family history website,
Findmypast, has today announced the release of a
revolutionary new newspapers search.
January 2019 Vol 94 Issue 57
Pres: Jim Winston Vice Pres: Elly Pollock Secy: Mary Roesler
Treas Peggy Koenig : Librarian: Vacant
Baytown Sun Liaison: Melanie Ferguson
BGS Website: www.baytowngenealogylibrary.weebly.com
BGS E-Mail: www.bgslibrary@hotmail.com
Findmypast’s Essex Newsman collection is searchable by
name and publication year, contains over 1.2 million
names and covers a complete run of the publication from
31st October 1881 to 6th November 1943.
The collection has been created by implementing a new
method of extracting first and last names from printed
text identified by optical character recognition. This
allows customers to search for their ancestor’s names
across millions of pages of newsprint with greater
accuracy and efficiency than ever before. Customers will
also start to receive hints against Essex Newsman articles
containing names that match those stored on their
Findmypast family tree.
While this first iteration of the new search is focused on
accurately identifying names, Findmypast plan to extract
other details such as locations, events and relationships
in 2019. This will further improve the search experience
and will dramatically increase the number of hints
generated by the collection.
The Essex Newsman has been taken from Findmypast’s
wider archive of historical British and Irish newspapers.
Today’s release is essentially a trial for this new
technology and other titles from the archive will receive
similar search upgrades in the future.
Improved access to the millions of articles that make up
the collection will enable family historians to discover a
wide variety of details relating to the lives of their
ancestors. While searching for a notice of a birth,
marriage and death, they may be presented with a report
relating to any number of important life events, ranging
from court cases, convictions and business notices to
letters, advertisements for family businesses and even
photographs.
Estelle Calfe, Product manager at Findmypast, said: “The
stories you find in newspapers really add color to your
family tree and tug at your heart strings. The team have
done some great work using machine learning to make
the names in newspapers searchable. We plan to
continue this work into 2019 and look forward to helping
customers uncover yet more fascinating articles about
their family.” –written by Findmypast.com
https://www.genguide.co.uk/source/emigrati
on-records-ireland/170/
c. Find Land Transactions at the Registry of Deeds
https://irishdeedsindex.net/index.php
d. Recognize Their Service at Military Archives
http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/
e. Findmypast is the Place for Legal & poor Law
Records from Ireland
f. Order Northern Ireland Records Through NI
Direct
https://geni.nidirect.gov.uk/
g. Religious Records are Abundant on Ancestry
Get Social with Newspapers for Irish Genealogy

How to Document AncestryDNA Test Results in FTM h. Get Social with Newspapers for Irish Genealogy
2017 https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/
https://support.mackiev.com/609598-Documenting-
AncestryDNA-Information-in-FTM-2017 i. The National Library of Ireland is Overflowing
with Tax Records
Looking for “How To” Videos? Check out BYU Family https://www.nli.ie/en/griffiths-valuation.aspx
History Library
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7hqNOQt- j. Records of Vital Importance are at
2AfeVEpDuc7sCA/featured IrishGenealogy.ie
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/en/
Jewish Cemeteries in Poland to be Mapped
The Polish government will place border markers in Clues for Finding Maiden Names
Jewish cemeteries in Poland. According to the agreement, A. Check the Marriage Record
all the cemeteries will be mapped and placed in a database B. Research a Female Ancestor’s Death Certificate
that will be available to the public. You can read more in (or Death Record)
the Israel National News at: C. Explore a Female Ancestor’s Children
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/25 D. Analyze Your Ancestor’s Census Records
5636
Have you Tried Internet Archive?
Looking for Useful Tips Try the Following: https://archive.org
1. Oral Histories
You can find information on:
2. Christmas Cards and Letters
• Genealogy
3. Church Programs/Church Histories
• Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center-
4. Newspapers
Microfilm
Important Record Collections for Irish Genealogy • Journals
Research • Smithsonian Libraries and even
a. Census Records at the National Archives of • Cookbooks
Ireland www.census.nationalarchives.ie
Free Genealogy Websites:
b. The Gen Guide is Where It’s at for Immigration https://lisalisson.com/2018/12/17/free-genealogy-
and Emigration Artifacts websites/
 Where Do I Start and Stop? any time on the TLC web site at:
Genealogy is like a puzzle, you keep looking for that next https://p.feedblitz.com/t3.asp?/948986/30255615/6350
piece. You know you can’t document ancestors back to 911_/feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/eogn/~https://www.t
day dot so why devote too much time in that area. lc.com/tv-shows/who-do-you-think-you-are/full-
Concentrate more on your first, second, third and fourth episodes/
cousins and how they connect with you.
Looking for UK Military Records?
FamilySearch Overlooked Areas www.forces-war-records.co.uk
Do use FamilySearch “Wiki”. Also use the Genealogical
Word Lists.
Do reference the FamilySearch Family Tree for
information that may help in your research.
The “Genealogies” section is useful but not editable.

“Search,” then click “Catalog”

FamilySearch has partnered with several institution,
such as the Allen County Public Library, the Houston
Public Library, and the University of Florida to digitize
genealogies, family histories, local histories, gazetteers.
There are more than 350,000 books. To find, hover over
“Search” and click on “Books.”

WW I Newspaper Clippings 1914-1926

The massive collection, World War History: Newspaper
Clippings, 1914 to 1926, is now fully digitized and freely
available on the Library of Congress website. The 79,621
pages are packed with war-related front pages,
illustrated feature articles, editorial cartoons, and more.
You can search by keywords, browse the content
chronologically, and download pages.
Have a Great Day!
When reading and reviewing family history records,
Who Were the Ashkenazi Jewish People, and Are You
determine what the records are saying—not what you
Related to Them?
want them to say.
If you ever get your DNA tested, you might be surprised
If you have identified an old photograph and don’t know to discover a certain percentage of Ashkenazi Jewish
where to put it, consider uploading a digital image of the DNA. Many people with European ancestry who are not
photograph to that person’s family tree in FamilySearch.
practicing Jews and know of no Jewish ancestors do
discover some Ashkenazi in them. There is a lengthy
The UK National Archives to Make Changes to Fees and
discussion on the topic on 23andme.com.
More.
https://p.feedblitz.com/t3.asp?/948986/30255615/635330
3_/feeds.feedblitz.com/~/t/0/0/eogn/~livelb.nationalarchi The name Ashkenazi comes from a Biblical person named
ves.gov.uk/about/news/changes-to-our-fees/ Ashkenaz. He was the eldest son of Gomer. Gomer was a
grandson of Noah through Noah’s son Khaphet. This
Who Do You Think You Are? makes Ashkenaz a great-grandson of Noah. The Jewish
If you missed previous episodes, you can view them at population in eastern and central Europe began being
distinguished from the Holy Land Jewish people by the
use of the name Ashkenazi in the early Medieval period
of history.

Do You Have Any Shaker Ancestors?

The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second

Appearing was a religious movement more
commonly known as the Shakers. It was founded in
England in the 1700s, and members were originally
known as “Shaking Quakers.”

The Shakers were a breakaway sect of the Quakers,

who they greatly resemble in form of worship and WWII Draft Registration
beliefs. Information on the WWII Draft Registration Cards
may include the man’s name, address, telephone
Try searching Shaker name indexes at the Western number, age, place of birth, country of citizenship,
Reserve Historical Society. https://www.wrhs.org There
name and address of the person who will always
is also a Shaker membership card index file at the Reserve
and at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, as well know the registrant’s address, employer’s name,
as local public libraries. place of employment, and a physical description of
the registrant.
Do You Use Standard Terms?
There were seven draft registrations. The first draft
If you use United States as a standard in your genealogy, registration was held Oct 16, 1940 before the US
did you know that there are other countries that also had entered the war. Men ages 21-36 were
incorporate “united states.” Here are a few variations: required to register.
• United States
• USA
The second draft registration was also held prior to
• United States of America
the American entrance into the war, on July 1,
• The United States of America (the actual name of
the country) 1941. This registration was for men who had
• U.S.A. turned 21 since the previous registration date nine
• USA months earlier.
• US of A The third was February 16, 1942 and the fifth was
• US June 30, 1942. The registrations expanded the ages
FamilySearch uses “United States” while Ancestry.com required to resister, the age ranges for the third
uses “USA.” The choice is yours. were extended to 20-21 and 35-44, while the fifth
extended them to ages 18-20.
Want to buy and Sell DNA? Check out the following:
The sixth registration, December 10-31, 1942, was
https://encrypgen.com for men who had turned 18 since the fifth
registration six months prior.
https://www.nebula.org
The seventh registration, known as the “Extra
Registration,” from November 16 to December 31,
1943, which was for American men ages 18-44 who
were living abroad.
Arkansas Digital Archives
Check out the online digital records at the Arkansas
Archives http://ahc.digital-ar.org/
Dower versus Dowry
“Dower” is the interest a wife has in her husband’s real or
personal property. Depending upon the time period and
location, it may be a 1/3 interest, a life estate, etc.
A “dowry” is the money/goods, etc. that a woman brings
into marriage.
In the front yard of a Funeral Home:
"Drive carefully. We'll wait.”
FamilySearch Updated Databases
England, Cheshire Bishop’s Transcripts 1598-1900
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1469935
Ohio Soldier’s Home Records 1888-1919
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2139859
Mississippi WW I Army Veterans
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/3010079
Indiana WW I Enrollment Cards 1919
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2968238
Alabama WW I Service Cards 1917-1919
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2865018
Germany, Schleswig=Holstein, Kreis Steinburg, Civil
Registrations 1874-1983
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2454663
North Carolina, Historical Records Survey, Cemetery
Inscription Card Index
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/3015313
Germany, Saxony-Anhalt, Halberstadt, Civil Registration 1874-
1982
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2212665
Nicaragua Civil Registration 1809-2013
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1601210
England and Wales Census 1911
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1921547
Texas, Cooke County Deeds 1895-1924
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2804974
West Virginia Will Books 1756-1971
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1909099
Kansas Cemetery Abstracts
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2568639
Ireland Civil Registration 1845-1913
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2659409
Slovakia Church & Synagogue Books 1592-1935
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1554443
United States Mexican War Pension Index 1887-1926
https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1979390
Other Helpful websites
Nuckolls County, Nebraska Newspapers
http://nuckollscountyne.advantage-preservation.com/
Kansas State Historical Society
https://www.kshs.org/p/online-collections/18942
Confederate Soldiers from Nelson Co. Kentucky
https://confederatesoldiersfromnelsoncountyky.000webhosta
pp.com/
Genealogy – various
www.genealogytrails.com
Maryland State Records
https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/homepage/html/online_rec
ords.html
Online Trees
Do put a family tree out there online, Ancestry, etc. You
don’t have to put everyone on it. You also don’t have to
put extensive notes and sources. But at least have
something out there so that when someone does a
search for your ancestor, your tree pops up. Keeping
everything hidden, others can’t find you. Also, publish
something about your ancestors in local genealogy
society.
Directory of Irish Genealogy
Persons with Irish ancestors will appreciate the directory
of Irish genealogy Web site:
http://homepage.tinet.ie/~seanjmurphy/dir/index.htm
 houses more than 3,000 books, periodicals, and CD’s. Meetings
are held monthly (except June, July, August.

The library is currently closed due to vehicle destruction.

We are still available to help with your research. Send e-mail to
bgslibrary@hotmail.com:

The Baytown Genealogy Society, Inc. is a 501(c)(3)

BGS Membership Application organization. Tax- deductible donations are greatly
appreciated.
First Name Please visit our website:
www.baytowngenealogylibrary.weebly.com
Or e-mail us at bgslibrary@hotmail.com
Contacts:
Last Name
President:
Jim Winston piper965@aol.com

Address Vice President:

Elly Pollock elly67@sbcglobal.net

Acting Librarian:
City Larry Dennis lwdennis@aol.com

State Zip

Telephone

Birthday:
Month Day

E-Mail
Typical Speaker Series

Annual membership is: Researching

Single $10 Dual $15
(Dues run from October 1 thru September 30)

MAIL APPICATION TO:

BGS
PO Box 2486
Baytown, TX 77522-2486

Many Companies match contributions or contribute Consider a Bequest to BGS

money for time donated.
BAYTOWN GENEALOGY SOCIETY, INC
The Baytown Genealogy Society welcomes you. We have been
helping members solve the mysteries of their family history for
more than five decades. Through the years the Society has
touched many lives in Baytown and the surrounding
communities, as well as, Houston and elsewhere. Our library
A bequest is one of the easiest and most meaningful ways to
make a gift to the Baytown Genealogy Society. Gifts of any size
made through a bequest help ensure that the Society receives
valuable ongoing support that will benefit genealogists and
historical researchers far into the future. Donors can make a
bequest by simply including a provision for the Society in their
wills or trusts. Donors can choose to give the Society a specific
dollar amount, specific property, or a percentage of their estates.