Association of Professional Genealogists

I joined today.  I am not actually a professional yet.  I don't take money for work but I want to be a part of the community so when I do start taking clients I'll be all set up. I joined as a subscriber and not a professional,  I also updated my LinkedIn account and I'm reading Google+ for Dummies.  There is just so much to learn about becoming a professional genealogist as well as all the things  in today's business world.

This is my journey to becoming a professional genealogist and I took another step today.

Kristina

Building My Blog

So this blogging thing is not too bad.  I thought at first I would never be able to keep up with it however I found another blogger that recorded her way through a book on how to build a better blog and it is helping me too.  Tonia at Tonia's Roots started a series called "31 Weeks to Build a Better Genealogy Blog".  She implemented the ideas from Problogger's 31 Days to Build a Blog, with a genealogy twist.  I love it.

I am on Day 4 and my assignment is to analyze a successful blog in my niche.  I've decided to analyze Tonia's Blog.

In Tonia's blog I find content about her family, DNA, Evidence, Military, Brick Walls, Research and Technology.  These are her categories listed on the side.  I do not see a category for historic events or lineage societies which are things I'm interested in but that won't deter me though from reading her blog regularly. I also do not see a list of blogs she follows.

Tonia writes in first person with a story telling style.  It's like we are sitting at the kitchen table and she is showing me what she has found.  Her blog is not one of those mega blogs with thousand of followers but she has been doing this a while and it shows in her professionalism.

As I read her posts I notice that most people make comments when she shares something she has recently found but there are not very many comments if any on her personal family stories.  Most of her followers just "like" the post on facebook or tweet about it.

I like the clean and neatly organized look of her blog.  It is very easy to find her content links however her tabs cloud is no fun to look through.  Her subscribe buttons are easy to find at the top but there is not one for Pinterest.  And I love blogs with "Search this Blog" options especially when there are thousand of posts.  She does not have any advertising on her blog but does have 3 affiliates at bottom in her footer.  I get the impression she is not interested in making money from her blog which is just fine with me.

Now that I have done the exercise I have a much better idea of what I would like my blog to be like.  I would like tabs at the top for my main categories of interest and I would like people to find my surnames more easily.  Eventually I would like to promote my professional genealogy business with it but I'm not there yet.

Thank you Tonia.  Looking forward to reading more of your posts.

Until next time, happy hunting!
Kristina

My Journey to Becoming a Professional Genealogist

With any journey there are a few things I need to do before heading out, like knowing where I am going and what to take with me.

First I need to decide where I am going.  In other words I need a business plan.  Being a former middle school math teacher I'm not quite sure what that means.  Thankfully there are plenty of websites to help me work that out.

Making A Living from Genealogy
You Want to Start a Genealogy Business
How to Write a Small Business Plan

Second I need to pack a few things to take with me.  This list seems to get longer and longer.  My first item though is education.  I have signed up to take classes on line to not only further my knowledge in better genealogy research skills but also in becoming a better business woman.  Another thing I have packed is memberships to several Genealogy Societies and Research Websites such as

American Ancestors
The National Genealogical Society
Genealogy Bank
Fold 3

These are just a few.  It can get kind of expensive but remember the old saying "you have to spend money to make money"  These membership fees and dues are an investment to better myself as a genealogist.

This is just the beginning.  I hope you follow me as I share my adventure.  If you sign up by email in the top right hand corner of this blog you will be notified by email each time I submit a new post.

Hope to see you in the comments section.
Until next time, happy hunting.
Kristina

5 Important Things to Remember When Filling Out Your DAR application.

So you have been invited to join Daughters of the American Revolution but you are not sure what is involved or what you need to do.  First of all congratulations!  DAR is not just a lineage society.  It is an organization that started over one hundred years ago to honor and preserve the legacy of our American patriots.  Today we continue this legacy by actively supporting historic preservation, promotion of education and patriotic endeavors.  But before you can join you must prove you are a direct descendant of an American patriot.

Upon your initial invitation you will receive a worksheet and booklet giving you all the instructions to complete your application.  However it is all kind of overwhelming if you have not done any genealogy before.  So here is a quick short list to help you get started.

1 Write down everything you already know.  You are the first generation on the worksheet.  Write down your birthday and place of birth and if you are married include your husband's information. Continue with your parents and then your grandparents.  Continue through the generations until you reach your patriot.

2 Ask your family (mother, father, aunt, grandmother, cousin) They are the most logical ones to help you fill in any missing blanks you may have. Don't forget to ask them if they know anyone else in the family that might know some of the answers too.  You never know mother may have a crazy aunt who loves genealogy!

3 You must have proof.  Just because mom says it's true doesn't make it so with the verification committee in Washington DC.  You need to not only prove where your different relatives were born and died but you also need to prove how the different generations are connected.  Most of the time it only takes a birth certificate, death certificate and marriage licence however if those are not available you can use other sources such as US census records, wills, land deeds or any other document that is on the approved sources list.

4 If you need help, please ask.  Each DAR chapter has a lineage research committee whose sole purpose is to help potential member fill out their application.  They won't do the work but can lead you in the right direction to get those proofs.  With today's technology a lot of these proof records can be found online and a member of the committee can help you search that way too.

5 Be mindful of the time. Once you have been invited to join DAR the National Society allow two years to complete an application.  However a time extension of one year may be granted if the applicant requests it.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution has a wonderful website too with a lot of answers to help with the application process.  You can find their site HERE.

Again congratulation on deciding to join one of the greatest patriot societies ever!

Until next time, happy hunting!
Kristina

Baron von Steuben, Valley Forge and my ancestor John Koen of Pasquotank, NC

Patriot Profiles- John Koen

My favorite magazine came today!

American Spirit is published by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.  In each issue there are wonderfully written articles covering such subjects as American history, historic preservation, patriotism, genealogy and education.   And this month there is an article that pertains to one of my patriots, John Koen of Pasquotank, NC.

Walter, Jeff “Building a Better Army; Baron von Steuben’s military expertise helped turn the tide of the Revolution.” American Spirit. May/June 2014: Pages 44-46

The three page article gives background on the military veteran of the Seven Years War in Prussia, Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin von Steuben and how he received specialized training from King Frederick II’s personal class on warfare and leadership.  It tells of how this veteran Baron von Steuben went from a privileged elite officer of Prussia to a soldier of fortune enlisting as a volunteer in the Continental Army.   Steuben arrived near the end of that brutal winter of 1778 that had taken its toll on Washington’s Army at Valley Forge, PA.

My patriot John Koen had enlisted under Col Abraham Shepherd’s 10^th NC regiment July 1777 and was at Valley Forge that entire winter.  The article goes on to say by the end of February 2,500 had died of starvation, disease or exposure and how the survivors though they had spirit and potential they were severely lacking in discipline and military training.  As temporary inspector general it was von Stueben’s job to get them ready for battle.  He was an “in your face” kind of man that these soldiers were not used to but listened to and respected none the less.   First however the camp had to be cleaned up with actual latrines and placing the kitchen on the opposite end of camp for sanitation purposes.   Drilling began with just a few of the men then as those mastered the military tactics they in turn each trained a small group until the skills spread to the entire Continental Army.    I can only image the hope and excitement my ancestor, John Koen along with the rest of the army felt as the proudly paraded May 6, 1778 to celebrate France’s alliance with America and demonstrated their newly honed military skills they had just mastered  over the last few months. 

My ancestor went on to fight in many battles after this including Monmouth, White Plains, and Charleston where he was taken prisoner.  He was then exchanged July 1782 and was marched to Richmond where he was discharged and went home.  I look forward to reading about these battles and more as I learn not only about their experiences but get a better understanding of what made them who they were and in turn a glimpse into whom I am as well.

Being a genealogist and keeper of the family history I enjoy reading about events that I know my ancestors were involved in.  It really makes history come alive.  Do you have an ancestor that was camped at Valley Forge?  I would love to hear your story.  Just click the word comments below and leave me a message.

Is There a Witch in My Family Tree?

One reason I love Ancestry.com is the "Shaking Leaf"  feature. Well actually like most I have a love-hate relationship with Ancestry's "leaves"  But sometimes they really do help direct you to some great leads.

So last night I was going through some of my 18th century ancestors looking for new "leaves" and I came across one that said Salem Witches!  Oh how cool to be a direct descendant  of a notable ancestor with involvement in a key event in early American history.  Well like I said the "leaf" is just a hint, not a fact so I started doing a little verifying of facts.  Well I'm starting to think that my Abigail who married Anthony Bennett is less likely than not to be Abigail Somes of the Salem witch trials of 1692.  But I'm not giving up yet. More research must be done.

Here is what I have learned

Anthony Bennett of Gloucester married Abigail ___ 12 Nov 1678 MA Vital Records

C Wain of Wainwright Family of Essex County Massachusetts writes this about his research

Notes for Abigail Somes:

The connection of Anthony Bennett to Abigail Somes, daughter of Morris Somes born 1655 is very tempting- she is not accounted for by either marriage or death otherwise in my records, and her age is perfect.  While some researchers have made that assumption, none has a source citation or made any argument that Anthony Bennett’s wife was indeed a Somes.  A review of many reference texts indicates there are no scholars or recognized genealogists who are ready to make this connection.
The primary reason is that an Abigail Somes of Salem, late of Gloucester, singlewoman, was indicted as a witch and imprisoned in 1692 (check this record from Suffolk County Court Records ).
This individual apparently died unmarried in 1733.
Babson assumes this person to be the daughter of Timothy Somes of Gloucester (History of Gloucester, p 211).  , but I am not so sure.  Abigail, daughter of Morris would have been about 37 years old and unmarried, a prime profile of an accused witch and I have seen no record of another Abigail in Gloucester or Salem who fits as well.

He is right about the ages of the all other Abigail Somes however she might not be a Somes there are two other Abigails, a Coe and Doll born around the same time.  I will need to do a little more research.

Until next time, don't give up and Happy Hunting!
Kristina

Daughters of the American Revolution Awards Luncheon

Hats off to our ladies for the hard work they have done this year!  I so love my sisters in the Mary Isham Kieth chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.  Everyone gives 100% and is so enthusiastic  in everything they do.  And it shows with all the recognition we received at the state conference that was held back in March.  So many as a matter of fact that the awards luncheon committee decided to have a pamphlet at our place setting that listed all the awards and achievements  instead of having everyone stand for recognition.  Some of us however were verbally recognized.  We are the lineage research committee and for the year May 2013- May 2014 we have had 29 new members verified increasing our membership by 10%!  That's me second from the left.

I really enjoy helping others find their ancestors.  The more I do the more I learn which in turn helps me find more of my ancestors.  I love it.

Are you a member of DAR?  I would love to hear what your chapter is doing.  Just leave a comment in the box below.

Until next time, happy hunting

Kristina