Blog
Google Searches
Without a doubt, Google search is one of my go-to genealogical tools. Google is always changing its tools to increase their effectiveness. The addition of tools and features is exciting. The elimination of tools can be frustrating. Google search is not immune from such changes. Over time, Google has removed some of the search operators. Since “A Weekend of Genealogy” was published, Google has dropped one of its operators. The tilde (~) operator was described on pages 54-55 of the book. The tilde operator was used to return web...
read moreUsing the USAHEC Tutorials
If you have had ancestors in the military, using military archives can be a research destination. You may find information about your ancestor, but it is more that your ancestor’s name will not be indexed. It is more likely you will locate collections and documents that contain information about the time and unit that where your ancestor served. In turn, these may contain references to your ancestor. At there very least, they will provide insights into the times and places your ancestor inhabited. After a visit to the U.S. Army Heritage...
read moreFinding Joseph McMahon and the 51st Pioneer Infantry Regiment (NY), Company B
My Grandfather, Joseph F. McMahon, was born on 29 August 1894 in Kilrush, County Clare, Ireland. He arrived in the U.S. on 6 October 1907 with his widowed Mother and the youngest siblings. Sadly, he died when my Father was a young child. Through this research into his military service, I am trying to learn about him and the stories that he might have told. As I have researched his life, I found out that many of my preconceived notions were incorrect. Most notably, he became a citizen before his military service in WWI. Also significant was...
read moreUSAHEC Reference Bibliographies Tutorial has been updated
USAHEC has updated their webpages! The tutorial about using the Reference Bibliographies has been update, too. Click on the Tutorial tab to view it.
read moreRelatively Curious and the Genealogy Words
Your might want to check out Relatively Curious. When you visit, there is a great set of genealogy words in seven Languages.
read moreCheck out a new Tutorial
I have posted a new tutorial about one way to search the holdings US Army Heritage and Education Center (USAHEC). USAHEC is the archive for the U.S. Army. This the first tutorial that shows how to use the Reference Bibliographies that are available. Go to the Tutorials page and select the link to view USAHEC: Using the Online Catalog: Reference Bibliographies. I will be posting more tutorials about other ways to search for USAHEC resources. When I visit to view the resources, I will post about that,...
read moreResearching at USAHEC
This past week I made an interesting trip to Carlisle, PA, to the US Army Heritage and Education Center (USAHEC) to attend a lecture about researching in their facility. “USAHEC Research 101: Basic Research Methodology at the USAHEC” was presented by the very knowledgeable and informative Mr. Rich Baker. The focus was on how to use the online USAHEC Research Catalog and Digital Archive. One of the secrets to using the database is to use the reference bibliographies, by topic or keyword. After the lecture, I visited the research room, and...
read moreDNA Talk at AAGS
Thanks to the Anne Arundel Genealogical Society for a warm welcome tonight.
read moreThe Genealogy Guys review “A Weekend of Genealogy”
You can tune into the The Genealogy Guys Podcast #277. The review starts about 47:30 into the interview. You can find the podcast at The Genealogy Guys website.
read moreMore Classes Scheduled for March and May 2015
The Odenton Regional Library (formerly West County Library) has invited me back for more talks in the Spring. Be looking for a survey so that you can help choose the topics I will present.
read more
