Family History Center Update

The Family History Center called earlier today, and I learned that another microfilm arrived. This microfilm happens to be the last microfilm of deaths for Trippstadt, Germany, so I'll soon be able to write my post on Trippstadt's civil death records after I get a chance to look at the microfilm. I just hope to be able to view the microfilm this week. Stay tuned ...

An Unknown World War Two Soldier

Here is another picture from my great-aunt's photo album. I do not know who this soldier or woman in the picture is, and I do not know where this picture was taken. He could be a friend of my great-aunt or a relative, but I don't know. All I know is that this picture was taken during World War Two.

So, What's My Area of Expertise?

I just happened to notice John's post on his area of genealogy expertise, and I thought I would also write about my area of expertise in genealogy as well.

So, what is my area of expertise? Although I am an amateur genealogist, I think I would have to say that my expertise is in Michigan genealogy as I have mainly researched in Michigan and with Michigan records and have ancestors who have resided in Michigan for over 150 years. Most of that research has focused on Saint Joseph county, but I have also researched records in the Library of Michigan, State Archives, Bay county, Saginaw county, and Detroit. In other words, I'm primarily familiar with records in Saint Joseph county, but that doesn't mean that my experience with Michigan records is limited to that county.

Of course, I have only been doing genealogy for the past six years, but I think I have enough experience and knowledge about Michigan records to advise or aid other genealogists who have research in Michigan. So, what do you think? Do you agree?

69th Edition of the Carnival of Genealogy Posted!

The 69th edition of the Carnival of Genealogy has been posted! You can read it here. The topic for the next edition will be on "Uncle, Uncle! This edition is all about our uncles. Have you got a favorite or interesting uncle? Tell us about him! Maybe you had a older cousin, neighbor, or friend you called "uncle"... that works too! No uncles in your life? No problem. Write about any gentleman on your family tree who was an uncle to somebody." Enjoy!

34th Shades Of The Departed Guest Column Posted!

The 34th Shades of the Departed guest column has been posted! The author of this week's column is Donna McClure, and you can read it here. Enjoy!

New Year's Resolutions: How Am I Doing?

As you might remember, I posted my New Year's resolutions for this year back in December, and I thought I would update everyone on how far I have progressed in completing my New Year's resolutions. So, here's how I've been doing so far:

1. Look up and print other probate records of ancestors who lived and died in Saint Joseph County, Michigan. As of April 1st: I still have not had the chance to look up any more probate records, but I am still hoping to do so this year.
2. Order more microfilms of Trippstadt, Germany's civil records. As of April 1st: I have ordered two microfilms of death records, and so far, only one has come into the Family History Center. I am still waiting for the second one, and after I have obtained all of the death records, I will be ordering birth and marriage records.
3. Order naturalization records for my German-Russian ancestor Anton and his siblings. As of April 1st: I have not ordered any naturalization records, but I still hope to order some of these records.
4. Obtain the Civil War Pension files for Benjamin and William Oswalt, and try to strengthen their relationship to my ancestor, Adam Oswalt. As of April 1st: I haven't ordered any more pensions files although I would like to do so.
5. Find more information on my ancestor, Irene Havens. I am hoping to figure out who her parents are, and what her connection is to Rhoda and the Mandigo family. As of April 1st: A man named Jim, kindly looked up two newspaper notices for a couple of marriages in Rochester, New York and shared the information with me a few days after I posted my resolutions. Of course, I still need to do further research to figure out the exact relationship between my ancestor, the Mandigo family and Rhoda (Havens) Lang(e).
6. Find more information on my WWI veteran great-grandfather's family and ancestors. As of April 1st: I am doing a little research on my great-grandfather's family, but I haven't finished looking at records in Scotland.
7. Order birth, marriage and death records of ancestors from the United Kingdom. As of April 1st: I haven't ordered any vital records from the U.K., but I hope to order some microfilms of church records the next time I visit the Family History Center.
8. I hope to make more connections and to find more ancestors and relatives. As of April 1st: I've contacted a man who had information on a branch of my British ancestors, and he kindly shared the information he with me. Outside of that, I haven't made any other connections.
9. Publish posts listed in the "Coming Soon" box in a timely manner. As of April 1st: I am still working on this resolution, and I am still behind in publishing the posts I have listed.
10. Improve the writing quality of my posts. As of April 1st: I am still working on this resolution as well.

So, as you can see, I still have several resolutions to complete, but since I still have several months to go, I should be able to accomplish a few more resolutions before the year ends. Enjoy!

Google Analytics Results For March 2009

March is over, and that means that it is time for another Google Analytics report! Here are the results for March 2009:

The top ten countries, in number of visits, are:

1. United States - 572 visits
2. Canada - 53 visits
3. United Kingdom - 41 visits
4. Netherlands - 13 visits
5. Australia - 9 visits
6. France - 4 visits
7. Sweden - 2 visits
8. Ireland - 2 visits
9. New Zealand - 2 visits
10. Germany - 2 visits

The top ten states in the United States, in number of visits, are:

1. Michigan - 111 visits
2. Illinois - 50 visits
3. Texas - 41 visits
4. California - 40 visits
5. New York - 35 visits
6. Virginia - 26 visits
7. Ohio - 24 visits
8. Utah - 20 visits
9. Florida - 18 visits
10. Washington - 15 visits

The top ten places in Michigan, in number of visits, are:

1. Hamburg - 32 visits
2. Lansing - 32 visits
3. Whitmore Lake - 19 visits
4. Grand Rapids - 7 visits
5. East Lansing - 3 visits
6. Redford - 2 visits
7. Troy - 2 visits
8. Battle Creek - 1 visit
9. Commerce Township - 1 visit
10. Goodrich - 1 visit

The top ten posts, in number of views, are:

1. Celebrate Your Name Week - Day One - 46 views
2. Library of Michigan and State Archives News: Possible Closure? - 45 views
3. 31st Shades Of The Departed Guest Column Posted! - 42 views
4. Are They Related? Another Mystery Photo ... - 30 views
5. 68th Edition of the Carnival of Genealogy Posted! - 28 views
6. Tombstone Maker Website - 23 views
7. 16th Edition of the Carnival of Central and Eastern European Genealogy - 23 views
8. I've Left Facebook ... - 21 views
9. Forgot To Mention: 33rd Shades Of The Departed Guest Column Posted! - 19 views
10. 32nd Shades Of The Departed Guest Column Posted! - 17 views

Well, that is it for this month's report. For all of those who read my blog, thank you for reading! Enjoy!

17th Edition of the Carnival of Central and Eastern European Genealogy Posted!

The 17th edition of the Carnival of Central and Eastern European Genealogy has been posted! (Thank you, Diane!) You can read it here. The topic for the next edition will be on Easter and Passover traditions. How are Easter and Passover celebrated in Central and Eastern European countries? Does you family have any traditions from Central or Eastern Europe? How did you ancestors celebrate Easter or Passover? You do not have to have Central or Eastern European ancestors to participate in this edition. Submissions are due April 20th, and the edition will be posted here on the 22nd. Enjoy!