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Monday, November 15, 2010

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36. Have you heard a family history tsunami is coming?





Waves of historical records are already rolling in like waves of a tsunami at FamilySearch where public documents from around the world are being made available at beta.familysearch.org. This new site will soon replace the current familysearch.org site
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familysearch.org gets a facelift


Several resources have been integrated into this new site.  The most popular is the Historical Records Collection.  Let's walk through searching for a death certificate for Jane McCoy of Greenville County, South Carolina who died in 1919.
Lower left-hand side of page



If you scroll down to the lower left-hand side of the page, you will see a section that says "Browse by location."  This is a great place to discover what collections are currently available by geographical area.  Also, searching a specific collection will automatically narrow your results down by thousands of records.

                                                                                      Browse by location 



In order to search South Carolina death certificates, you will need to click on the link to USA, Canada, and Mexico collections.



The page will load all available collections for USA, Canada, and Mexico in alphabetical order.  Just scroll down to South Carolina Deaths 1915-1943.  You will notice the South Carolina Deaths 1944-1955 is listed just below it.  It does not have a camera icon in front of it like South Carolina Deaths 1915-1943.  It is an index without images.  

Since Jane McCoy died in 1919 we will select South Carolina Deaths 1915-1943. This database is arranged alphabetically by locality.  If you could not find an ancestor's death certificate, you could go to the correct locality and search for your ancestor page by page according to his or her last name.




We will now enter the first and last name, death date, and locality to find Jane.  Avoid entering too much information.



Click Search.  The Jane McCoy we are seeking is the first result.



When you click on the link "Jane McCoy," the page will open to the following index and link to the original death certificate. 




Click the image to see the death certificate.




You can save this image to your computer or print it.  You can also copy the address and share with other family members.  When they click on the link in an email they will be taken directly to this image.  Click to view the image in full screen:



Notice the zoom feature on the bottom right of the image in full screen.  Check the Historical Records Collection often for updates.  Be advised that some records are the property of affiliates of FamilySearch (ex. Footnote) , and you will need a subscription to view them or you may visit a family history center near you.

Do you want to participate in the great work of indexing the records being made available at beta.familysearch.org?  Visit FamilySearch Indexing to learn more.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

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November 2010 Election: The legacy of exercising the right to vote

Robin Foster, November 2, 2010
I have more reasons to be grateful than I can count.  Perhaps these feelings can be attributed to all the research and writing I have been doing lately on the Reconstruction Era.  On my way to the polls today, I thought back on  the testimonies that I have read given by my great great grandfather, Beverly Vance (1899-1832) and others.  I was so overcome with gratitude to be living in a country where I can make my own choices.

Tears almost welled up as I remembered that this type of freedom had not always been enjoyed by my ancestors, and women were denied the right even longer.  I could feel Beverly looking down on me pleased that I was not having to look over my shoulder to see who was watching or worried that I would be harassed.

I have never felt these impressions in this way on other election days.  Casting your vote for a person of your choosing truly is an expression of gratitude for past sacrifices and symbolic of the freedoms we hold dear.  I am glad to have happened on historical records documenting my ancestor in his struggle for the freedoms I enjoy.

After I completed the ballot and turned to leave, their stood a friend and we exchanged a warm hug.  This was again a complete contrast to the way things were in 1868 and in 1876.  How we have progressed.

I love The United States of America, and I particularly love South Carolina.  I am walking in the footsteps of many of my maternal ancestors who were born, worked, and died in this state.  Today I  carved out more memories for my posterity to cherish.

See:

Remembering when casting a vote could have meant loss of property or life

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