Topic: Fall Info Gathering [dldgreen] Hello Jeter! How are you? [Jeter] Hello, dldgreen...I'm doing good! [dldgreen] Great! And the chats...going well? [Jeter] Sorry I can't stay...going to da movies [dldgreen] Okay..enjoy! [dldgreen] Hello Quinns12! Welcome! [Jeter] The chats are fantastic! Can I get a copy of tonight's/ [quinns12] Hi dldgreen, I just spying. Hope others join! [dldgreen] Suer Jeter. [dldgreen] Suer=sure [dldgreen] Quinns, I hope so too. But we can get started. [Jeter] Super! see y'all later...Peeaace... [quinns12] Sure, didn't check the agenda. What's up?? [dldgreen] Tonight's discussion will center around suggestions for sharing/obtaining info. [Altacann] Greeting all! [dldgreen] You know with the holidays coming up, I thougth it would be great to share how we make [dldgreen] the most of the many family gatherings that are sure to take place. [dldgreen] Hi Alta! [quinns12] That's good because I'm in a delima(?). I paranoid about sharing too much. [Altacann] Hello Damita and Quinns! I you a telephone call, Damita. Begging forgivenss. [Altacann] owe you [dldgreen] That is a concern. We spend soooo much time and $$ on this hobby! [dldgreen] Alta, forgiven! [Altacann] Thank you ..looking forward to the chat! [Altacann] I'd rather leave a record of our family, no matter the cost. [dldgreen] Quinn, one thing I do is to pass out what I call "teasers" to folks who always want info but are never [Altacann] How so, Damita? [dldgreen] willing to share. I include about usually provide a pedigree chart, about 1 or 2 generations beyond [dldgreen] what they are aware of. I exclude pertinent data, like dates or locations, except with regard [dldgreen] to their direct lineage (descendants). I'll put an incorrect birthdate, or omit some info. This [quinns12] What I have done is provide information but never the source. What do you think? [dldgreen] usually grabs their attention. You can bet I hear from them then! Especially if their info is not at as extensive as say, Cousin SUe's. [dldgreen] Quinn, that's a good way to ensure no one can tell where you got the info from. [dldgreen] Has that worked for you thus far? [dldgreen] Does it generate and exchange of information? [dldgreen] and = an [quinns12] One of the real challenges I have is how to cultivate the interest of younger members of the family and I really also want to identify one family member I can share everything with. I hope it will be by grandson (in about 10 years)! [dldgreen] What we did one family reunion was plan a skit in which the younger kids were our ancestors. [quinns12] In response to you question, it has worked so far. [quinns12] That is such a tremendous idea. Hope you don't mind if I use it for our next reunion (I'll even give you credit!!) [dldgreen] It worked pretty well because the kids got involved, and the elders made sure their "Papa's" idiocyncracies (sp?) were displayed@ [dldgreen] @=! [dldgreen] Quinns, you are welcome to it. [dldgreen] This is the way we told the family history that year,instead of someone reading or just talking about it. [dldgreen] It was also great for video sales, which is a permanent recording of our history as told that year. [dldgreen] Alta, have you any sharing/info gathering tidbits to share? [dldgreen] Greetings VKN! [VKN] Hood evening! [quinns12] I've just started the planning for an electronic newsletter as a way of sharing. At our last AAHGS's mtg, I presented it as an exercise and everyone left with their own plan for an electronic newsletter. The hour went pretty well and a lot of good ideas were generated. [Altacann] Not really, Damita. I am just getting reaquainted with the Cannaday side. My mother side is so dysfunctional, anyonw hardly speaks to the other. [Altacann] I am here for some pointers and suggestions tonite. [Altacann] Hello, VKN! [dldgreen] Alta, great! I'm sure you'll find some useful ideas here. [quinns12] The electronic newsletter is cheaper than the hardcopy and it really gets the information out there (sharing). [Altacann] My fear is no record will exist for my family unless I do it! [dldgreen] Quinn, what types of info do you include in your electronic newsletter ? Is this an emailed or webpage version? [quinns12] It is an email version and family members with email access are required to repro for those who don't have email. [VKN] Alta that sounds a tad scary [dldgreen] Quinn, yes, mailings can be expensive. That's a great idea for those who have such access. Your idea of family members printing copies for those without access works well? [Altacann] I plan to send a two-page newsletter type of holiday greetings with my findings thus far. I hope to generate some interest and hope someone else will catch the genalogy bug. [quinns12] My plan is to include a lot of categories: Memories(births,deaths,marriages), academic achievements, family stories, recipes, etc.etc. It's also (I hope) a good way of acquiring information for the family genealogist or historian. [Altacann] Terrifying, VKN! [Altacann] Sonfs like YOU may be the historian, Quinns. [dldgreen] Alta, I usually send out a information letter on new findings or my current concentration right before Thanksgiving, to [Altacann] Sonfs=sounds [quinns12] I'm sorry, what's "Sonfs"? [dldgreen] generate discussion and sharing during the holidays. Then I followup with holiday phonecalls (my usual ritual for years) [jangi54] Hi all. [dldgreen] and bring the letter topics into th econversation. Works pretty well, too. [Altacann] Sounds [VKN] Jello jsng [Altacann] I will try that Damita. Maybe people will begin talking to oneanother. [VKN] Hello jang54 [dldgreen] Hello Jangi! Welcome. We're discussing our various ways to share/obtain info. [jangi54] Hi, having problems with my server. Had a diffucult time getting on and now they want to kick me off. [dldgreen] Alta, that's the idea! I usually get some pretty good leads, though not as many as I want. [Altacann] It is ceratinly worht a try. [Camille] evening all [jangi54] Hi CAmille [Altacann] Greeting, Camille! [VKN] Hello Camille [dldgreen] Jangi, hope they'll let you stay a while ;-}. [dldgreen] Hi Camille! [jangi54] dld, green, me too. First time that this has ever happened. [dldgreen] Okay folks, who else has sharing or information gathering ideas? [Camille] I think one of the great resources we have not used as much as possible are the Freedmen's Bureau Depositor records [jangi54] Topic sounds great. I just need someone to talk to. I have been in contact with a brother and sister who I believe are related to me. I spoke to the sister on the phone, she is about 75 years old. She promised to call back and nothing. [VKN] Wow!! [Altacann] Sounds familiar to me. [VKN] jang where do you live? [dldgreen] The idea being to get our research out to the family to generate interest, sharing of information, and obtain leads to help us in our research. [jangi54] I did write to her and sent some info...I think perhaps I scared her abit. I am in NE PA here. [Camille] Looking through these records there are alot if information about siblings in other states [VKN] and how were you able to contact these kin? [jangi54] VKN, I typed a name in Big Foot of a person I remember hearing about as a child. His son's name popped up along with his address. I wrote to him and he connected to his sister. [VKN] I see. [jangi54] THis is the first connection I have ever made. Hope I have not lost it. [jangi54] Their grandmother was my ggrandmother. THere was some question about her 'marital' status. [dldgreen] Jangi, have you tried a follow up call? Nothing pushy, just a how are you doing kind of thing to feel the person out? [Altacann] It appears you may have rattled some skeletons, Jangi. [quinns12] Speaking of sharing. Folks, how can I view back issues of these discussions? [jangi54] dldgreen, I have been contemplating that...guess I should just do it and call her. [dldgreen] This may be a touchy subject, with alot of memories & emotions tied to it. [jangi54] Alta, yes. No problem for me...I can accept it...but she and her brother are elderly and may not want to deal with it. That is fine, too. [VKN] < I second what Damita is saying> [dldgreen] Quinn, we have a chat schedule online, with links to the available logs also. The Saturday logs will be up later tonight. [Altacann] I understand, I have uncovered enought to start a museum. But I intned to move foward. [quinns12] Thanks! [dldgreen] The daily logs are there, too. [Altacann] foward=forward [quinns12] Terrific! [jangi54] I think at this point in the game, I am desperate to find cousins. I have none that I know of. What a shame. My goal when I began this genealogic research of my family was to find some cousins. I have none on my Dad's side. The surname is GOODALL. [dldgreen] Alta and Jangi, it is important in our quest to find our ancestors, NOT to burn any bridges or shut any doors. [dldgreen] Particularly with our elderly folks, as they are the keys to those doors. [jangi54] dldgreen, I hear that. [dldgreen] Tis a delicate line to walk! I have trouble all the time! [Altacann] Damita, I agree. However, in my case, the damage was done in the previous generations. So, I amgetting most information form the census and land records. [dldgreen] Problems within myself of making sure not to expose the things that were said in confidence, that is. [Altacann] I had heard some stories, but they remain in my personal notes. I am only posting public information. [dldgreen] But on the flip side, there have been occassions when the varing sharing and digging that we are discussing has rebuilt broken relationships. [dldgreen] varing=very [dldgreen] Hi Doll! [Camille] hi doll [Altacann] You seem to be dealing with a more forgiving and openminded group of folks. [VKN] Hello Doll [doll] hello all [doll] whats the discussion [Altacann] I will never intentionally violate any family member. [jangi54] Alta, same here. [dldgreen] Doll, we're talking about sharing and obtaining info amongst the family. The discussion has turned to some of the problems associated with doing that. [doll] my family has always been rather open about family history, especially the older ones [Altacann] On my mother's side, theywould prefer that I do not even participate in genalogy. I drw the line here and will make a record of lineage. [dldgreen] Has anyone tried bringing up the topic at holiday dinners? What experiences have you had? [Altacann] drw=draw [jangi54] doll, you so fortunate that your family is so open. [dldgreen] Alta, woooo, that 's scarrrrryyyy! [dldgreen] Doll, wow, what a blessing! [doll] they've always been --about the murders amongst relatives--everything about everybody else [jangi54] I think my problem is that I am so driven with finding my Dad's family on his father's side. Maybe I need to concentrate on my grandmother's family. [Altacann] You have no idea of the resistance I have gotten. [dldgreen] Doll, would it be an incorrect assumption to say that you're research has been relatively easy because of the openness? [doll] no it hasn't been easy--especially about finding extended family members [dldgreen] Jangi, variety may at least bring some new ideas on how to approach things in a different manner. Each of my lines have been so different, the same approach may or mayn't work. [Altacann] The Cannaday side is a all together different. They are very cooperative. alos a lot less drama occurred. [Altacann] alos=also [doll] sometimes it's best to let them do the talking--asking too many questions can be a turnoff [dldgreen] Doll, absolutely! I learned that by accident, and it was the best lesson! [VKN] Consider that what you feel as resistance id the interviee unwilling to acknowledge that she does not know the information you are seeking [VKN] id=id [VKN] interviewee [Altacann] I try, VKN. This family has a code of silence that is unbelievable! [doll] i spent alot of time as a little girl around my mother and her sisters--I was very quiet so that said whatever came to mind [doll] so they said whatever came to mind [dldgreen] VKN, good very good point. [jangi54] doll,same here. Thank goodness I am able to remember the stories and names that I heard. That is how I got one of my leads. [doll] I have kept a lot of skeletons in the closet--even now--some would be offfended [dldgreen] Doll, so your work is still cut out for you. Nothing like a challenge. Even if it was easy, we still have to remember that EVERYTHING has to be verified. [doll] absolutely true!! [doll] Also I had very talkative relatives--one Aunt was a Muslim--need I say more!! [doll] Has anyone attempted to reconstruct census data from wills and inventory info?? [dldgreen] I've shown a copy of a disturbing document to an elderly family member I thought would be the least offended (though offended still) with great success. It took time and great preparation on how to discuss. [dldgreen] He ignored it while in my prescense, but called later to discuss. [DavidasMom (Sandra)] Hello. [jangi54] Not I, doll. [dldgreen] hi Sandra! [doll] He probably did not want to discuss it at that time. [doll] hi sandra [Altacann] Greetings, Sandra! [DavidasMom (Sandra)] Hi. How are you? I've been trying to keep up w/local mayorial election. AA guy running. [VKN] Hello Sandra! [dldgreen] Agreed, and I had to respect that. Didn't like it, but respected it and did not press the issue. [doll] I find that more relatives are more willing to talk over the phone. [doll] why is this?? [dldgreen] Don't know. But I keep a tape recorder, pen and pad nearby, just for those moments. I always ask if it is okay to tape. [DavidasMom (Sandra)] I did something daring (for me) this week. [dldgreen] Oh Sandra? Do tell! [Altacann] Please, Sandra! [doll] i'm all ears!! [DavidasMom (Sandra)] Well, I was looking at Census records for my great-grandparents in KY, and decided to see if someone was still living at the address. [DavidasMom (Sandra)] No family in KY any more. [VKN] The phone provides distance and safety. [DavidasMom (Sandra)] So I did one of those adress-phone number look-ups and found the address was still in use. So I called the lady. [DavidasMom (Sandra)] She bought the house from my great-aunt. And it's the same house. She invited me to come and see it if/when I gooto KY> [doll] How nice of her!! [Altacann] Greetings, Shirley! [dldgreen] Hello Shirley! [doll] hi shirley--welcome [VKN] Hello Shirley and welcome. [DavidasMom (Sandra)] Yes, and she runs a funeral home and provided me w/some info on where some of my ancestors are buried! [dldgreen] Sandra, wonderful! That also tells you there ought to be record of the sale. Did she say approximately when she bought the home? [Altacann] Now that was a great find! [doll] That's great!! What a connection. [dldgreen] Wow! Double wow! [VKN] Congratulations !!!!!! [DavidasMom (Sandra)] I think she bought it in the late 1960s or early '70s. I didn't think to ask her that. \c: [jangi54] Gotta go. Peace..out [DavidasMom (Sandra)] bye [Altacann] Nite, Jangi! [dldgreen] Many reasons to make sure to visit your new friend! [Shirley] Hello---trying to figure this out, never done this before!! [dldgreen] Nite Jangi! [Altacann] You are doing great, Shirley. We see you loud and clear! [dldgreen] Shirley, you are doing fine. [VKN] Shirlet we all started with where you are. [dldgreen] I think we had a great discussion tonite. Lots of ideas shared. I hope they will be of use . [Shirley] Ok--its pretty simple, think I can manage this, am I late, is there a general discussion--show me the ropes! [doll] Would like some thoughts on a project that i would like to start [Altacann] Damita, I will pick up the log online later. I have to get to bed for the 7:30 a.m. service at Reid Temple AME. Peace and nite, all! Thanks for the great tips! [DavidasMom (Sandra)] Have anyof you ever tried finding out about their ancestors residences in this way before? [dldgreen] Shirley, we meet from 9:30 to 10:30pm-ish, sometimes longer, like tonight. Good flow of conversation going, so jump in anytime. [VKN] Miters to you Alta [dldgreen] See ya my AME sistah! [Altacann] Nee to pray that some of these folks will talk! ;|-) , Niters! [doll] goodnite alta [dldgreen] LOL, Alta, good one! [doll] Have will and inventory data to reconstruct for an actual census. [dldgreen] Davida, I did the same, based upon the address from a 1950's era newspaper obituary. My great-aunt's granddaughter lived at the address. Not much info from her though. [VKN] This sesion is flowing beautifully! [doll] Has anyone attempted to do this? [dldgreen] Doll, explain a bit more about your idea... [doll] I'm extracting the first names of slaves on the wills and adding the owner as the last name. [VKN]
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AfriGeneas ~ African Ancestory Genealogy