Published Dec 19, 2007

Family History Expo 2008 Video Premiere:
I'll be there doing my presentation "Google: A Goldmine of Genealogy Gems" at 4:30pm on Friday Feb 8, 2008 at the conference.  I hope that you'll take a moment to stop by my booth in the Exhibit Hall to introduce yourself and say "hi"!  

NEW AT THE BLOG: 

New poll question at The Genealogy Gems News Blog:  Do you listen to the podcast the week it is published?   

THE MAILBOX: 
Follow up to Episode 26 & the Passport Database at Ancestry...Will Haskell told us about his grandfather, Merrill Haskell, traveled to Russia in 1919 in his work as a public accountant for the YMCA. 

 Merrill Haskell's Passport application -
but the woman's photo on the left doesn't match.

 A turn of the page reveals his grandfather!

GEM: itunes GET ALL
When you subscribe in iTunes to the podcast, only the most recent episode will download to your computer or iPod, so be sure to remember to go back to the Genealogy Gems Podcast listing in iTunes and click the GET ALL button so that all of the back episodes will download.  You don't want to miss a thing!   

Gem:  Search Yahoo and Google at the same time with POLYCOLA.COM

GEM: The History of the Christmas Seal - How Our Ancestors Made A Difference!
It's very likely that your great grandparents, grandparents and parents put Christmas Seals on the Christmas cards and packages.  It all started on a stormy December night in 1903 a postman named Einar Holboell was working late in a post office sorting large piles of Christmas mail:

Put this stamp with message bright
On every Christmas letter;
Help the tuberculosis fight,
And make the New Year better. 
The American Lung Association . 

Thank you so very much for supporting the podcast! 

iTunes Goal:
Only six more five star reviews to go before we hit 25 for Genealogy Gems by the end of the year!  If you have an iTunes account and are enjoying the podcast, please go to the Genealogy Gems listing in iTunes and leave your positive review now.  Thanks! 

Song: End of a Perfect Day and the Christmas Movie Remember the Night

Published Dec 10, 2007

SHOW NOTES

Exclusive Kodak Gallery Discount: 20% OFF Photo books, Calendars & Cards through Dec. 11, 2007!  Go to the Genealogy Gems Store for more information and to find the link to Kodak Gallery.

Got an iTunes Account?
If you're enjoying the podcast, I'd appreciate it if you left a 5 Star positive review at the Genealogy Gems iTunes page.  This link will take you there: Genealogy Gems at iTunes.  Thanks!

NEW:  The Book Has Gone Digital!
Genealogy Gems: Ultimate Research Strategies from Season One of the Genealogy Gems Podcast is now available in a digital download format!  This is a great chance to get the book for just $9.95 and no shipping costs!  Go to http://www.lulu.com/content/1139806

GEM:  U.S. Passport Applications on Ancestry.com
My Genealogy Gems News Blog from December 5, 2007 continued...Not wanting to leave the database empty handed, I decided to search for some of my favorite Hollywood film stars: Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks.   

Lesson 1:  Be sure when you are searching the database to click the NEXT button and check the backside of the application page for a photo.

Douglas Fairbanks & Mary Pickford Passport Photos

Lesson #2:  If your ancestors were servants or employees of those that may have traveled, it would be worth searching for those employers. 

GEM:  The History of Sound Recordings
You know the invention of sound recording was quite a milestone in genealogy if you think about it.  Never before had we had documentation of our ancestors voices.  There is certainly something very special about hearing not just the words, but the tone, and inflections. 

Well, all of this sound recording was made possible by Thomas Edison, who 130 years ago this week .
University of California, Santa Barbara

Book: Innovate Like Edison
A new book by Edison's Great Grand-niece Sarah Miller Caldicott  and Michael Gelb. 

The Life of Thomas A. Edison at the Library of Congress
Recorded Sound Reference Center at the Library of Congress

LISA'S 10 GOLDEN RULES
for making your own family history sound recordings.

#1  Get a reliable and affordable method of digital recording.
Free recording/editing software: Audacity

For portable recording you could use a handheld digital recorder, but I like to use my iPod with the Micro Memo Digital Voice Recorder
Using your iPod as a Family History Tool from Episode 22 of the Genealogy Gems Podcast. 

#2 Make A List of Those You Would Like to Interview

#3  Prepare Your Questions Ahead of Time

#4  Keep The Interview Relaxed And Comfortable.

#5  Don't Worry About Getting Everything The First Time

#6  Respect the interviewees wishes

#7  Take The Time To Edit

#8  Make Cataloguing A Priority

#9 Get Written Permission If You Plan On Sharing The Recording

#10 Follow up with a thank you

Published Nov 30, 2007

Episode 35 Show Notes 

Genealogy Gems News Blog "What's in a Name?"  

My Facebook Profile:  Lisa at Genealogy Gems.  Make a friend request and then take the Genealogy Gems Quiz.

Check out the genealogy quizzes at FunTrivia.com 

YAHOOOOO - there's a genealogy gal on the Genealogy Gems Listener page!  Beth Green answered my call on Episode 30 and emailed a Simpsonized Version of herself.  Check it out at the LISTENERS page. 

GEM:  A Little Help From Your Friends

My Top Three Tips for Tapping into the Strengths of Others: 

Tip #1  Swap brick walls

Try swapping brick walls with another researcher and look them over with a fresh pair of eyes.  I like to think of it as being a cold case detective.   Someone who pulls out an old file and goes over it with a fine tooth comb to see if anything's been missed. 

Tip #2 - Assess your weaknesses
Look honestly at your office and your research and make a list of areas where you could improve.  Then set out to find someone in your local genealogical society who has a strength in that area. 

Tip # 3 - Two heads are better than one
Try working alongside a fellow genealogist.  Two heads are always better than one, and having someone that you can share the journey with is a wonderful thing.  There are over 500 genealogy groups on Facebook alone! Or try one of the new genealogy social networking sites that have been popping up lately.  Genealogy Social Networking Websites

GEM: The Library of Congress Webcasts:
Jewish Washington: Scrapbook of an American Community
Presented by Laura Cohen Appelbaum and Wendy Turman of the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington.   

Library's Map Treasures are Highlighted in "Cartographia a book and presentation by Vincent Virga

GEM: Genealogy through the Looking Glass
I've enjoyed using children's books for many years to become acquainted with new and sometimes complex subjects.  They are little gems just waiting to help you take on a new area of genealogical research.

For instance, does the subject of DNA still seem a bit foggy to you?  
Try "Genes & DNA" by Richard Walker, and "DNA is Here to Stay" by Fran Balkwill.  

"Coming to Canada: Building a new life in a new land" by Susan Hughes  is a great first timers introduction to the subject.  

The Irish Potato Famine: Irish Immigrants Come to America (1845-1850) by Jeremy Thornton .  "Feed the Children First: Irish memories of the Great Hunger" edited by Mary E. Lyons. 

Juvenile Books can also be a great quick resource for the history of states and countries that you are unfamiliar with and have just discovered your ancestors spent time in.  So when you stumble into new territory, try taking a child's eye view and perhaps a child's curiousity as you approach the situation. 

GEM:  Now for a little Pixie Dust
Lab Pixies Google Gadgets 

My Favorites:
LabPixies TV
My del.icio.us
Countdown
Babylon Translation Box
LabPixies Clock
LabPixies Radio
TechBlogs
Flickr Slides

Contact Lisa
Free monthly Genealogy Gems Newsletter

Looking for a great Christmas gift? 
Lisa L. Cooke is the author of
Genealogy Gems: Ultimate Research Strategies
from Season One of the Genealogy Gems Podcast
now available.