Family History Workshop Day 1 - Saturday March 1 2024

Today I attend day 1 of Family History Workshop at the St. Catharines Public Library from 10am to 4pm.  

Things that we covered:

• Ancestry Library Edition vs. personal membership for Ancestry.ca [https://www.ancestry.ca/]
• My Heritage (membership need to view most records)  [https://www.myheritage.com/] and My Heritage Family Tree Buillder (free download) [https://www.myheritage.com/family-tree-builder]
• FamilySearch.org (free access to records) [https://www.familysearch.org/en/]
• St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre online eMuseum[https://museum-cityofstcatharines.msappproxy.net/]
• Library and Archives of Canada [https://library-archives.canada.ca/eng]
• Archives of Ontario [https://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/tracing/index.aspx]
• British Home Children Registry  [https://www.britishhomechildrenregistry.com/]
• Scanning photos, documents, diaries etc.
• Discussed if the index of records is all that is available online  how to go about requested the record and that there will be fees attached which can vary
• Resources available at the St. Catharines Public Library: Special Collections Room which includes biographies, city directories, wills and more, Norval Johnson Heritage Collection, Local Names Index,  Historic Images of St. Catharines and Niagara Database, microfilm machines to view newspapers.

Day 2 of the Family History Workshop will take part on Saturday March 16 from 10am to 4pm at the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre.

Found Laura Elizabeth Fuller In The Vital, Canada, Ontario Births And Baptisms, 1779-1899

 In a previous blog post I mentioned that I found my paternal great grandmother Laura Elizabeth Fuller in the Vital, Canada, Ontario Births And Baptisms, 1779-1899 on FamilySearch.org.

Vital, Canada, Ontario Birth and Baptisms, 1779-1899

When Born: 8th January 1887

Name: Laura Elizabeth

Sex -Male or Female: Female

Name and Surname of Father: Albert J. Fuller

Name and Surname of Mother: Mary E. Arnott

Rank or Profession of Father: Farmer

Signature, Description and Residence of Informant: A. J. Fuller, Father

When Registered: 15th January 1887

1940 United States Federal Census for William Leslie Dixon

 I previous found  my paternal great grandfather William Leslie Dixon in the 1940 United States Federal Census while researching on the Ancestry Library Edition at St. Catharines Public Library. Just forgot to blog about the find, so I am doing it now.

1940 United States Federal Census 
For William Leslie Dixon

William Dickson was 46 years old. Birthplace is West Virginia .William is the head of house. Sex is male. Nationality is White.  Marital status is married. William's education was completed up to high school 4th year. Residence is 524 Keyster Street in Union City, Wayne, West Virginia, USA. In 1935 was living in Wayne, West Virginia, USA on a farm. William is doing government work working as a intake supervisor. His income is $1140. William worked 44 hours prior to census. In 1939 William work 52 weeks. 

Fannie Dickson was 46 years old. Birthplace is West Virginia. Sex is female. Fannie is the wife of the head of house. Marital status is married. Fannie’s education was completed up to grade 8. Residence is 524 Keyster Street in Union City, Wayne, West Virginia, USA. In 1935 was living in Wayne, West Virginia, USA on a farm. Fannie is engaged in home housework.

1930 United States Federal Census For William Leslie Dixon

I previous found  my paternal great grandfather William Leslie Dixon in the 1930 United States Federal Census while researching on the Ancestry Library Edition at St. Catharines Public Library. Just forgot to blog about the find, so I am doing it now.

1930 United States Federal Census
For William Leslie Dixon

William Dixon was 36 years old. William is the head of house. Race is white. Sex is male. Marital status is married. Age at first marriage is 24.Birthplace is Virginia. Father’s birthplace is Virginia. Mother’s birthplace is Virginia. Residence is 616 Broadway Street in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, USA. William is not attending school, but he can read and write. William speaks English. William is working in the machine manufacturing industry as a machinist; he is worker. William is not a veteran. Have two lodgers living in the house Edward Bishop and Harlam Bryce.

Fanny Dixon was 34 years old. Fanny is the wife of head of house. Race is white. Sex is female. Marital status is married. Age at first marriage is 26.Birthplace is West Virginia. Father’s birthplace is West Virginia. Mother’s birthplace is West Virginia. Residence is 616 Broadway Street in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, USA. Fanny is not attending school, but she can read and write. Fannie speaks English. Fannie is a manager at a hotel; she is worker. Have two lodgers living in the house Edward Bishop and Harlam Bryce.

Research Day At The Library/Records Found On Family Search

 

Today I spent the day at St. Catharines Public Library doing genealogy research. I was working on FamilySearch.org by reviewing records that were added by other users on Family Search. As Family Search is a one tree site that anyone can added records too profiles and make changes. I wanted to know if the records that have been added by other users are correct for my ancestors. If the record is correct I want to add the information into Family Tree Maker and source it, so it will sync to my online Ancestry.ca family tree as well. While working on my family tree I watched episodes of Finding My Roots on my iPad, which gets me into the genealogy mode.

I first started by making sure records that were previous found on Ancestry.ca were sourced and noted on Family Search, also if the record is available on Family Search I can add it as a source.

The records that I previous found on Ancestry and was able to find and source on Family Search were the following:

• 1931 Census of Canada for Roger Henry Dagenais (previous blogged about)
• 1931 Census of Canada for Jean Gertrude Marshall (previous blogged about)
• 1910 United States Federal Census for William Leslie Dixon (previous blogged about)
• 1930 United States Federal Census for William Leslie Dixon (blog post coming soon)
• 1940 United States Federal Census for William Leslie Dixon (blog post coming soon)

After reviewing a Vital, Canada , Ontario Births and Baptisms, 1779-1899 attached to Laura Elizabeth Fuller (my paternal great-grandmother) added by another user on Family Search, I was able to determined that this record was indeed for my paternal great grandmother. A detail blog post is coming soon. 

Genealogy On A Budget

 Right now I am doing Genealogy on a Budget as it can be an expensive hobby. As subscriptions to all genealogy websites can added up and being quite expensive, from Ancestry.ca, MyHeritage.com, Newspapers.com, Fold3.com among others, DNA Kits for family members can add up, ordering offline records and pension files (I haven’t gotten to this yet but have looked into it and it can get pricey)

I thought I would share my tips for how I have been working on my family genealogy on a budget.

1. FamilySearch.org it is a free genealogy website for doing research – I am currently doing most of my research on FamilySearch.org to save money.
2. Ancestry.ca has some free records – In order to find the free records, go to search then card catalog when browsing the records if it is free it will say free or free index and click on the database and you will be able to search and view the records. Free indexes will just give you the information and where to find the information offline.
3. MyHeritage.com has some free records as well – under research and card catalog and browse for the free records to search in.
4. Public Libraries – A) Ancestry Library Edition can be used at most libraries which allows you to search Ancestry thru the library subscription and email the record and image to yourself, which you can attached and source to your family tree at home. How to access the Ancestry Library Edition using either the computer at the library or your laptop go the library website and click on Ancestry Library Edition which can only be used while at the library. For St. Catharines Public Library it is located at https://www.myscpl.ca/online-resources/genealogy B) FamilySearch.org although a free website there are some images which can only be viewed thru Affiliate Libraries – such as St. Catharines Public Library C) Microfilm Machines – using microfilm machines at libraries to view old newspapers for birth, engagement, marriage, anniversary, and death announcements. If printing the clipping of what you find there will be small fee. D) Special Collection Rooms – some libraries have special collections of genealogy resources that can’t be taken out but are reference use at the library. The St. Catharines Public Library has a special collections room which can be used during library hours for research.
5. Genealogy Education - Going to Genealogy conferences and workshops can add up and be costly.  So I love watching Genealogy videos on YouTube some of my favorite channels are Ancestry, Family History Fanatics and Couisn Russ (unfortunately Cousin Russ has passed away in May 2022 – there will be no new videos) and many other videos.
6. DNA Kits – I suggest waiting till there is a sale before purchase a DNA kit for yourself or family members.
7. FindAGrave.com – Is free site that lets you find the tombstone of your ancestor and where they are buried. Information is uploaded by volunteers by taking pictures of tombstones and noted information.
8. Cyndislist.com - Is an excellent free resource for genealogy websites. Although you can't search records on this website. There is lots of websites that are organize to tell you where to go and also tells you whether it is free or a paid subscription website.

I hope my tips on how I do genealogy on a budget will be helpful for others when working on your family tree, as genealogy can be expensive hobby.

For more helpfully tips check out these YouTube videos on Genealogy On A Budget

Family History Fanatics - How to Conduct Genealogy Research on A Budget

Ancestry - Genealogy On A Budget

Found on Newspaper.com about Marriage License Willie Leslie Dixon to Fannie Hampton

Found on Newspapers.com a newspaper clipping about getting a marriage license for Willie Leslie Dixon to Fannie Hampton it was published in the The Big Sandy News on June 17 1921.

Willie Leslie Dixon, 26, of Roderfield, W. Va, to Fannie Hampton, 27, of Fort Gay.

Marriage License for Willie Leslie Dixon to Fannie Hampton.

St. Catharines Family History Workshop

Booked a spot for the upcoming St. Catharines Family History Workshop which takes places over two days on March 2 at St. Catharines Library – Central Branch and March 16 at. St. Catharines Museum from 10am to 4pm. I am looking forward to it.

Details about the St. Catharines Family History Workshop: (https://events.myscpl.ca/event/3785055)

Presented in partnership with the St. Catharines Museum, the St. Catharines Family History Workshop offers residents the tools, resources, and skills to begin to gather, preserve, and share their personal family histories.

This two-day workshop takes place at two locations, the first day (March 2) at the St. Catharines Public Library – Central Branch and the second day (March 16) at the St. Catharines Museum.

This workshop will cover:

• How to use and access family history research tools like Ancestry and MyHeritage 
• How to access and use the local history research material available at the Library and the Museum 
• How to decide what to keep and what to let go of 
• How to organize and preserve family photographs and archival material 
• How to care for family heirlooms 
• How to record family stories and oral histories interviews.

Each participant receives a family history kit with equipment to start on their project and a Family History Workshop Workbook.

 March 2 and 16 from 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Advance tickets only | Space is limited | $55 plus HST per participant.

Registration is available through the St. Catharines Museum. Call 905-984-8880 or book online

at www.stcatharinesmuseum.ca