Author Archives: Gordon

Astrid Adler Presents: “Emigration from the German Perspective”

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During the 19th century, nearly six million Germans left their homes for other lands, and most would never see Germany again.  Ms. Adler writes about this historical migration in her new books, “Our Ancestors Were German” and “Goodbye Forever,” and has spoken previously on this topic on two occasions in Ventura County.

In “Our Ancestors Were German,” Ms. Adler discusses local emigration history from the Grand Duchy Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach region during the 19th century.  German descendants will learn about the reasons for their ancestors’ emigration.  Stories are told about the individuals and families who left Germany based on the historical evidence from passenger lists, census data, family letters, and family trees.  “Goodbye, Forever” tells about emigration history over a period of sixty years in the village of Tiefenort.  Meeting reports of the village council and weather records from the region were also analyzed, giving a unique impression about daily life in a typical German village during the 19th century.

Ms. Adler grew up and still lives in the village of Tiefenort in the former East Germany.  For the past ten years she has specialized in genealogy, especially emigration to America from the Grand Duchy Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach region during the 19th century.  She was honored by the State of Thuringia for her first research exhibition, and is also building an extensive private emigrant database for the South Thuringia area.

Two dates are available to hear her at the IGS Library in Burbank in May.  She will speak on Saturday, May 13th at 1 pm, and again on the evening of Tuesday, May 16th, at 7 pm.  Both talks will be preceded by informal receptions (Noon on the 13th, and 6 pm on the 16th), and will be followed by a further opportunity to meet and converse with our speaker.  Signed books will be available for purchase.  [Idea:  Plan to see our Thuringia resources (on the shelf, or in our vertical files) while at the Library, and bring anything you may have on this interesting area of Germany to share with others.]

Our Library is located at 1310 W. Magnolia Blvd., between Mariposa and Griffith Park cross-streets.  Limited parking is available behind the Library, and may be accessed via the alley.  Other parking is available on Magnolia Blvd. or on the residential streets close by the Library.

Volunteers wanted–German records to transcribe

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Molly Rogers, Digital Database Coordinator for the New England Historic Genealogical Society, has requested our help.  She writes:

“The New England Historic Genealogical Society has partnered with the
Archdiocese of Boston to digitize and create a searchable database of
sacramental records. We have many volunteers helping us scan and index
volumes for this project. We are currently trying to transcribe
volumes from Holy Trinity Church which was a community center for
German immigrants in Boston. Many of these records are written in
German including old-fashioned script. We are looking for more
volunteers who could read German and help us index these volumes!

“I was hoping perhaps you could help me pass on this message to the
members of your society to see if anyone is interested in helping out.
We have many remote volunteers—we handle remote work through
Microsoft Excel and Dropbox. Thank you for your consideration! Please
contact me if you would like further information about this project.”

If you would like to assist, please contact Molly directly at <molly.rogers@nehgs.org>.  Thanks!

Give-aways at the Library

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It’s Spring Cleaning time at the IGS Library, and there are some free items for those of you who can come in.  Of particular note are: some old world atlases that are not as useful as the ones we’re keeping, and some Ohio Gen. Soc. (OGS) Reporters from years ago that are duplicate issues.  But there are other items as well that could be of help to you.  The free items mentioned are in boxes on the tables closest to our rear door (to the parking behind the library).

Other free items are now on a cart that we’re placing outside our front door, for passersby to peruse.  These are things like folded maps, old genealogical directories and guides, and various U.S. items that might catch the eye.  We hope these items might cause people to stop in and chat with us.  But we have a lot of items we simply don’t need.  And we need to clear space, and so….

Still other items often duplicate our holdings, but are of greater value.  Many of these were Betty Sharp’s home office reference copies, often of items we’ve had on the shelves for years.  Betty’s daughter Jackie donated the home library to us about a year ago, and included were many other books and periodicals we did NOT have on our shelves, but quite a few that we did.

These latter items are in a separate grouping behind the computer we have for patron use, as one enters from the front door.  For these we’re requesting a donation; suggested amounts are listed on stickers, but we’re mostly interested in finding these duplicates “good homes” where they’ll be used (so, just ask, if the “price” isn’t right).  Proceeds will help us with new book purchases, such as Roger Minert’s continuing “German immigrants in American church records” series.

2017 International Germanic Genealogy Conference Registration – early bird ends on March 31

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IGS members are invited to the 2017 International Germanic Genealogy Conference.  Many of you have already registered.  Thanks to each of you.

The early discount price expires this Friday!  We encourage you to register before April 1 to receive the partner discount.
As you know the 2017 International Germanic Genealogy Conference will be hosted by GGS and takes place July 28 – July 30, 2017 at the Marriott Northwest Hotel in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Park.  The conference will feature 40 speakers and over 70 presentations about Germanic genealogy.  It is an exciting opportunity to experience the first-ever International German Genealogy Partnership Conference.
We invite you to consider attending, and look forward to seeing you there.
The registration for the 2017 International Germanic Genealogy Conference has been open for less than two months and there are already over 440 people registered to attend.
Learn more about the conference.
If you wish to volunteer, there are many opportunities to help with the conference.
This is going to be fun!!!

Free Family History Mini-Seminar on DNA

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THE VENTURA COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY PRESENTS:
Free Family History Mini-Seminar on Saturday, April 15, 2017
at the Camarillo Library Community Room, 4101 Las Posas Road, Camarillo, CA

Presentations by Kathy Johnston:
1:00 P.M. DNA USES IN PEDIGREE BUILDING
Learn about the different types of DNA and which direct-to-consumer test companies will be most helpful to you. Find out how to navigate the maze of information that is out there. Examples will be provided for beginners.

2:30 P.M. AUTOSOMAL AND X CHROMOSOME SEGMENTS IN COMMON
Have you ever wondered where those DNA matching segments come from? Why is the basic science important in genealogy? Kathy will explain the practical uses of DNA segments found among your cousins and close family matches. Learn how to interpret segment matches in a browser. Success stories will be discussed.

Kathy Johnston is a retired dermatologist who has been actively researching her family tree for over 25 years. She is one of the administrators for the Southern California Genealogical Society DNA Interest Group and has been involved in developing techniques for chromosome mapping for genetic genealogists.

11:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.: VCGS DNA SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP MEETING
Join us for discussion on using DNA results to further your genealogy research. Please bring your DNA User Name & Password; also bring your family tree (paper or electronic). If possible, bring your laptop, tablet or other portable device; this will facilitate your research.

And then there were Fourteen

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Yes, fourteen members of the Immigrant Genealogical Society &/or the IGS Pommern group will be attending the International Germanic Genealogy Conference in Minnesota in July 2017 — along with one spouse.  But most of us have multiple memberships in partner organizations, so it took a little sleuthing to come up with the current number of attendees.  Here’s a breakdown by principal genealogical partner organization:

IGS — 5 (plus the spouse); our IGS Pommern group — 4; the host society, GGS — 3; and the San Diego Gen. Soc. German Interest Group — 2.

And here’s the breakdown by state:  California, 9+1; Arizona, 1; Minnesota, 1; Nevada, 1; Pennsylvania, 1; Virginia, 1.  Of course more are welcome!!  Visit the IGGP website for information….

SGGS Spring Seminar on Saturday, April 8th from 8:45 to 3:45

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Liz Shaw, Publicity representative and Facebook administrator for the Sacramento German Genealogy Society (SGGS), wishes to extend an invitation to all IGS members to attend their upcoming seminar.  The seminar will be held at Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church, and features Michael Lacopo, DVM a veternarian who retired in 2013 to become a professional genealogy researcher and has 30+ years experience in genealogical research.  He will present two lectures on “Using DNA to Further Your Family Tree” and two lectures on “Overcoming Brick Walls in German-American Research.”  He is a knowledgable and engaging speaker.  SGGS members have enjoyed his quick wit and willingness to answer their questions.  His science training makes him especially qualified to discuss and explain DNA testing and its use in genealogy research.

Brochures for this event will be available at the IGS researcher “Stammtisch” we’re holding this coming Sunday, beginning at 1 pm.  Or, just visit the SGGS website and click on “Spring Seminar.”  Here you’ll find cost and optional lunch details, and a map to the location.  Registration is by PayPal or mail-in form (but registration should be received by April 1st to avoid late registration pricing).  And, be aware that space is limited, and that registration may close if the event is as popular as in past years!!  Special questions or concerns?  Just email Liz or call her at 916.337.1830.

Intermediate German Genealogy Course at IGHR July 23-28, 2017

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The following is a news release from Laura W. Carter, MEd, MLIS, SLIS.  She is the Director of the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research, hosted by the Georgia Genealogical Society.  Questions may be directed to her at IGHR Publicity….

F. Warren Bittner, a renowned expert on German genealogical research, will be teaching Intermediate German Genealogy at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR), July 23 – 28, 2017, in Athens, Georgia at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel. You can view the daily schedule for this course on the IGHR website http://ighr.gagensociety.org/ighr-2017/courses/intermediate-german-genealogy.

The Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) provides an educational forum for the discovery, critical evaluation, and use of genealogical sources and methodology through a week of intensive study led by nationally renowned genealogical educators. Students choose one course that lasts throughout the week.

Intermediate German Genealogy is targeted for students “who have dabbled enough in German research to be confused by localities and challenged by the difficult handwriting.” One main goal of this class is to teach students to use the gazetteers and finding aids needed to identify places in Germany, and a full day will be spent teaching students to read Gothic German Script. Additional topics include an overview of German History 800 to 1989, German church records, marriage customs and records, feudal records, military records, websites, published sources, and Ortsfamilienbücher. This week-long course is open to anyone interested in German research. Some previous German research experience is helpful, but not required. 

Warren Bittner is a genealogical researcher and lecturer. He holds a Master of Science degree in history from Utah State University. He was a winner of the National Genealogical Society 2011 Writing Contest, with his article “Without Land, Occupation, Rights, or Marriage Privilege: The Büttner Family from Bavaria to New York.” This article was also awarded the National Genealogical Society, Award for Excellence, 2012 which is presented annually for an outstanding article published in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly. He has coordinated German research tracks at the Samford Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) in Birmingham, Alabama, the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), and the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP). For six years Warren Bittner was the German Collection Manager for the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. He has researched in more than fifty German archives and in more than forty U.S. archives and record repositories. 

In addition to excellent courses and opportunities to network with fellow genealogists, IGHR attendees benefit from access to the world-class libraries of the University of Georgia including the law library and special collections libraries. Researchers may also enjoy making the short drive to Morrow, GA to visit the National Archives at Atlanta (NARA’s southeast region facility) and the Georgia Archives. For more information about the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research, now hosted by the Georgia Genealogical Society, please visit our website ighr.gagensociety.org and follow us on social media.

June 24, 2017 Save the Date!!

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The full arrangements are still to be made.  But the Immigrant Genealogical Society is proud to announce that it will hold an all-day workshop featuring Fritz Juengling, Ph.D., AG®.  This IGS workshop will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2017 at the Los Angeles FamilySearch Library.  They have a classroom that will accommodate the audience we hope to attract.  The workshop will have four lectures, two in the morning and two in the afternoon, as follows:

  • Some Tips for Genealogical Research
  • Historical Events that Affect German Genealogical Research
  • Using Meyer’s Gazetteer
  • Beyond the Obvious Reasons:  Practical and Social Decisions for Emigration to America.

You’ll want to reserve this date on your calendar NOW, while you’re thinking about it!!

March 2017 newsletter

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The March newsletter will arrive late this month.  There has been simply too much going on for it to be produced according to the regular schedule.

And, while we’re at it, that schedule now will be that the monthly newsletter will appear on the third Wednesday of each month unless announced otherwise.  That would be today, if the schedule could be followed….

JGSLA Program Tonite at AJU

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The Jewish Gen. Soc. of L.A. sent an email this morning (!) about the program they’re hosting tonight at American Jewish University’s Sperber Library at 7:30 p.m.  The title of the talk is: “Why Did My Father Know His Grandfather Had An Uncle Selig?” and the speaker is Israel Pickholtz.  Members attend free; guests pay $5 to attend.  Here’s the official description…

More than twenty years before Israel Pickholtz began doing serious genealogy, his father sent him a postcard with three bits of family information. One israel-pikholtz-2016of those was that Israel’s great-grandfather Hersch Pikholz had an uncle Zelig. That information was very important in Israel’s research over the last two decades, research that was helped along by traditional sources and more recently by genetic genealogy.  But even as he was progressing in his research, Israel could not shake the question “Why did my father know this?” Israel says “My father was eight years old when his grandfather Hersch Pikholz died and they never had any real conversation. None of the cousins knew about Uncle Zelig, even the older one who lived in the same house as my great-grandfather. My father himself did not recall why he knew this.” And did it even matter?
Israel tells the story of his great-great-great-uncle, what he learned about this family and why now he thinks he knows how his father knew.   And yes, it matters.

Israel Pickholtz has lived in Israel since 1973 and now lives in Jerusalem. He has done serious family research for nearly twenty years. His flagship work is the Pikholz Project, a single-surname project to identify and reconnect all Pikholz descendants. Alongside his work as a professional genealogist, taking clients in Israel and abroad, he became heavily involved in genetic genealogy in 2013. He manages test kits of over ninety family members at last count.
In August 2015 he published a book “ENDOGAMY: One Family, One People,” available at www.endogamy-one-family.com
He blogs at http://allmyforeparents.blogspot.com and receives mail at IsraelP@pikholz.org