HCGS October 2021 meeting ZOOM Genealogy

  Honolulu County Genealogy Society

 9 October 2021    -  2nd Saturday 9 am  ZOOM

The HCGS Meeting met on Zoom.  

Many topics were discussed including photo storage, The Family History Guide (free online genealogy guide),  Getting death records from the GRO (gro.gov.uk) record office in the UK, Updates at Ancestry.com, and "Telling Your Story" as a future project.

Part of the audience at the October Zoom meeting

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Death Certificate 1891 Wales from General Record Office
online 7 pounds UK             example

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The Family History Guide - a free online source for help with
genealogy sites and information

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Next Zoom meeting Nov 13th, 2021  9am

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MINUTES FOR THE OCTOBER 9, 2021

MONTHLY ZOOM MEETING OF THE HONOLULU COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

Present: Lenore Hansen-Stafford, Karin Jones, Stanley Jones, Sue Miller, Deborah Richards, Isabelle Rivera, Trisha Robertson, Ellen Schneider, Susan Victor and Donna Wendt

Meeting began at 9:12 a.m.

      OLD BUSINESS:

Following up on her suggestion to look into the possible use of a room in the Pearlridge Center American

Savings building Karin Jones reported that the idea did not pan out. Non-employees are not allowed to

use the facilities.

     DISCUSSION:

     Donna Wendt began this portion of our meeting by reviewing the September 11, 2021 minutes. She spoke a little more on the process she used to improve the newspaper image of Susan Victor’s uncle-inlaw.

     Donna shared a host of genealogy news:

The Family History Library in Utah has completed digitizing all of their microfilm stored in their mountain vault. Though digitized, not all the records are indexed, nor listed in the Family Search catalogue at this time. Periodically, you can check the Family Search card catalog for updates and new information. If you have time, volunteers are needed to help with indexing. 

     Searching for certificates of birth and deaths in England? The General Records Office for the UK is a wonderful source for these records. For about $10 (US), you will receive a PDF copy of a requested

record. Hard copies are available to order. Payment is by credit card. Go to their website, gro.gov.uk > register>create a login >request.

     It was noted that Find My Past is the #1 site for families in the British Isles.

The Family History Guide, offers free programs, activities, events and a catalogue of tutorials to help

enhance your knowledge of family searches. They can help you to understand what the 4 main data providers are about and what they provide – Ancestry.com, MyHeritage.com, Family Search.com and FindmyPast.com. Check out its website, www.thefhguide.com.

    Backblaze is a “scalable low cost cloud backup and storage service”. Backblaze claims to be “the world’s easiest cloud backup” provider. Donna uses this company and pays a yearly charge to back up her entire computer.

     Forever.com also provides backup media service lasting for your lifetime, plus 100 years. You pay once based on the size you are storing. Whenever you need more storage you can purchase additional space for the one time cost. Contact Karin Jones if you are interested in getting more information.

     Reminder regarding Renewal Fees – keep a record of your various subscriptions and the renewal date(s).

Some sites will automatically renew your subscription using your credit card on file. Some sites will send you a notice in advance informing of the upcoming charge(s). For most providers, you will need to make a phone call to cancel.

     Recommendation – Every Month Crista Cowan, aka The Barefoot Genealogist,    presents a seminar,  “What’s New at Ancestry”. Find her video(s) online.

Throughout October 2021, The Genealogy Center of the Allen County Library will be celebrating a virtual Family History Month. 22 programs are on the slate. Go to acpl/genealogy.com for more information.

     Susan Victor shared that the small Grand Rapids Library offers free searches if you contact them.

     The Jones’ will be on the road again this month. Karin Jones will be speaking at a conference in Chicago and San Jose. She will be introducing a 52 week series on Writing Your Own Story on October 30, 2021.   The weekly half-hour sessions will be presented via Zoom beginning on the first Wednesday in November 2021. The times of the sessions are based on mainland time zones (3 p.m. or 5 p.m.).

    Depending on the response, there could possibly be more than one session a week.

Karin wanted to open it up to the members of the Honolulu County Genealogical Society but the challenge will be the Hawaii time zone. Karin could keep us informed via Lenore Hansen-Stafford on the session days and times if members would like to join existing groups, or perhaps she will start a session for Hawaii only. Another option will be to record her sessions and set it up for future viewing. Susan Victor suggested starting Hawaii sessions in January 2022.

     If anyone has questions, or would like to check on the live mainland sessions, contact Karin at karinjs74@gmail.com.

CALABASH BOWL :

     Deborah Richards’ grandnephew will be taping her next month as she discusses their family’s genealogy.

What a wonderful gift to her family as she shares her years of research and stories.

Deborah already has a YouTube presence. She can be found sharing on Wahi Pana: Papakolea, a 2019 video about the community of Papakolea.

Deborah made a statement worthy of consideration, “How has our research blessed each other?”

    Donna Wendt is also a YouTube contributor. She has 3 self-made videos on her own YouTube channel.    Watching Genealogy Gems Donna learned how to make a video and create her own channel. Do you have the urge to share a fascinating story, or helpful knowledge? You can also do it through YouTube.  Subscribe to YouTube Channels, use your phone to make a video and upload it to your channel.

     Recommendation from Donna – An app called “Nextdoor” is a great way to keep in touch with news from around your neighborhood. Some of the alerts you will find on the site are regarding break-in’s, lost pets, sales, etc.

     Donna inquired about updating the email list. Lenore has also felt the need to revise the list. Please send Lenore any information you may be privy to regarding keeping a name on the list, updating an email address or removing a name.

Our meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m.

(Emailed 11/12/2021 by Isabelle Rivera)