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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: groom on Sunday 20 March 16 19:30 GMT (UK)
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Free Online Genealogy Course with FutureLearn. Here we are on week two of this course. This is what will be covered during this session:
Effective Searching Techniques
You begin to think about how to define what you are actually searching for and we’ll introduce some key ways to think laterally about searching for your family information. Topics to be covered are:
How to create a research plan and what an effective search looks like.
Different ways to approach research: FAN/cluster techniques and mind mapping
Getting to grips with spelling and name change issues
What primary source databases are and how get the best out of searching them, including wildcards.
If you haven't started week one, it isn't too late to join in. Here is the link if you need it:
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/genealogy
(http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=743943.0;attach=437402;image) (http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=743943.0;attach=437402;image)
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Ok bookmarking page looking forward to week 2
Linda
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My notion of Mind Mapping, is probably a lot different to there version ::)
But I do work on Dementia care, where Mind Mapping is used to study the interaction etc in a day of the person with dementia with others and there environment...
But looking forward to week 2
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FAN/cluster techniques and mind mapping ?
I can't imagine what they mean by that. Will be interesting to find out.
Milly
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I agree, it will be interesting to see what they mean by mind mapping. When we did it with the children at school we started with a word in the middle of a sheet of paper eg Summer. Then from there we thought of several words that were connected with Summer perhaps hot, holidays etc, then words connected with them ie holidays - beach, sea, fun, games. I can't quite see how that sort of thing would work when planning research.
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I have a feeling it may just be a fancy term for something obvious - but am happy to be proved wrong
Milly
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Looking at the web, it seems like a way of generating ideas / organising research
I think the danger might be that to use it, you'll need to consciously put aside a bit of time away from the search engines and actually plan what you're going to do, which people will intuitively think will be time wasted.
Even if convinced by it, week 3 will arrive and the good intentions forgotten as people get on with the next topic
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I agree, it will be interesting to see what they mean by mind mapping. When we did it with the children at school we started with a word in the middle of a sheet of paper eg Summer. Then from there we thought of several words that were connected with Summer perhaps hot, holidays etc, then words connected with them ie holidays - beach, sea, fun, games. I can't quite see how that sort of thing would work when planning research.
Well from the intro video 2.1 it seems mind mapping is one of the techniques being suggested to get you to think outside standard methods to find ways round brick walls. Wonder how much of the material is generic undergraduate methods on research applied to a genealogy theme?
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I'm interested to see that we'll be looking at Name Changes... I seem to have turned up a few in my research already(!)
Romilly.
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Wonder how much of the material is generic undergraduate methods on research applied to a genealogy theme?
$27.95 to find out...
http://www.ronarons.com/product/mind-maps-for-genealogy/
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Wonder how much of the material is generic undergraduate methods on research applied to a genealogy theme?
$27.95 to find out...
http://www.ronarons.com/product/mind-maps-for-genealogy/
:o :o :o
:o :o :o
Still too US based for my liking. Is it just me or is any one else annoyed by the fact she is looking off to the side most of the time?
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Perhaps it's a (lack of) confidence thing?
This book isn't about Mind Mapping as such, but still quite useful:
'Walking with your ancestors : a genealogist's guide to using maps and geography'
Author: Kashuba, Melinda.
Romilly.
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To Jaywit, no.
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I'm afraid if I was listening to a full lecture by her, I'd lose interest quite quickly. I get annoyed by her mannerisms as well, jaywit. She is an experienced lecturer, so shouldn't really be umming and ahhhing all the time or laughing at what seems to be a private joke!
Gosh that sounds harsh doesn't it, but once I'd noticed it I now look out for it! ;D
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She is not a lecturer rather a research fellow (her title is Knowledge Exchange Fellow) so her salary is paid from research grants she gets. Fellows don't always teach, not the same requirement, and she may not have any formal teaching qualifications.
At a guess, maybe she has notes or an Autocue at the side? If it bothers you, there is the transcripts to use instead of watching videos :)
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Also looking forward to Week 2.
I am definitely in need of research plans etc as I tend to jump around like a grasshopper getting sidetracked looking for one thing ending up searching for something else ::) ;D ;D
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as I tend to jump around like a grasshopper getting sidetracked looking for one thing ending up searching for something else ::) ;D ;D
This sounds far too familiar ;D
Rishile
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Wonder how much of the material is generic undergraduate methods on research applied to a genealogy theme?
$27.95 to find out...
http://www.ronarons.com/product/mind-maps-for-genealogy/
that's a 76 page booklet!
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3 Silly Dogs - that could be me talking. In the little I have looked at so far this week it has really hit home how basically my research strategy has been non existant.
William
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Wonder what the attrition rate will be after week two...I am a horribly obsessive record keeper who will only work with primary sources (which I eye with great suspicion) but I know I am weird and totally over the top. At the end of week two I feel normal so something must be wrong ;D
Jen
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I must confess, Jen, that my record keeping is poor. I enjoy searching so much that - "what happened to them?" - that I get ahead of myself, accumulate lots of scraps of paper and when I actually get round to doing something with those scraps of paper often end up having to retrace my steps. In fact I can get just as involved searching for folks on here as I can for my own family. Hopefully I will be able to put at least some of this weeks ideas into practice to become a bit more efficient.
William
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I think the availability of records on the internet has made me lazy in producing a structured plan. Now I can dabble when I fell like it or have the time for it. In the olden days when researching meant a trip to the Family History Centre or a County record office, usually putting aside a whole day for a couple of hours research if a long travel time, I would make a detailed list of every record I wanted to search for - - names/places/date range. Usually I drew up forms to record the results of searches, to save myself time and ensure they made sense to me afterwards. Time was precious then, especially in some places where you had to book film or fiche readers by the half hour.
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I agree LizzieL ;D
These days, when I pop into my local library or museum, or go across to a Record Office, I simply download onto my trusty USB stick!
No need for notes at all!!
As someone whose profession has been in IT, and resolving problems as fast as possible, I have had great success in taking a very unstructured approach?! (It's the way my mind works?)
And I carry this over to my genealogical researches.
The very idea of mind-maps fills me with horror! ;D
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I found the mind map example on this weeks lesson unnecessarily complicated. All the same information could have been put in a simple linear time line rather than going round in a circle and in my opinion would be clearer that way.
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In fact I can get just as involved searching for folks on here as I can for my own family.
William
William, I'm just looking at Chris's family living in Monifieth (they'd moved from Broughty Ferry) on the 1881 census...(the posh side of Dundee!) wonder which ship the Captain is sailing on?
Jen
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I'm working on the Isaac / Joseph Spier. Can't find the UK records that are mentioned unless he was going by yet another name. It says he was born in Henley, but don't know if was Henley, Oxon or Henley in Arden
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We need therapy.. ;D
Marriage to Maria Preston in 1859
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XTVH-HXR
Probably....
Maria Preston's birth and parents...
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XBZ2-X41
enough I have chores to do...
Jen
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On the 1881 census, he is Isaac Spiers, born 1874.
Piece 1080, Folio 11, Page 16.
Brother Hyams Spier, born June qtr 1878, Stoke-on-Trent
Sister Julia is Julia Spaier, Dec qtr 1875, Whitchapel.
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This is a bit spooky - 1851 Maria Preston and her widowed mother are living at 38 Gellatly Street in Dundee. My Fullerton's are living at that same address in 1871 so I had a photo of the street handy...
http://photopolis.dundeecity.gov.uk/wc0586.htm
Moderator Comment: screen grab image removed in accordance with Rootschat Copyright Policy. Please see www.rootschat.com/forum/copyright.php
Ooops naughty should not have posted snip unfortunately FindMyPast does not include Piece, Folio, or Page for Scottish census.
Edit - I typed 32 should have been 38 (changed)
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On the 1881 census, he is Isaac Spiers, born 1874.
Piece 1080, Folio 11, Page 16.
Brother Hyams Spier, born June qtr 1878, Stoke-on-Trent
Sister Julia is Julia Spaier, Dec qtr 1875, Whitchapel.
thanks, I was focussing too much on the Henley birthplace. So it looks like he was born in Middx, but his brother was born in Hanley (with an "a"), so maybe that's where the confusion came from.
Father is Abraham not Arthur, but anglicising names was not unusual.
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Is that a confession that you didn't learn from week 2?!?! ;D ;D :-X :-X
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Is that a confession that you didn't learn from week 2?!?! ;D ;D :-X :-X
Yes, yes, I admit it!
I've found the family in 1891 in Plymouth, but no Isaac with them.
Isaac and Hyam are on a school admissions register for Morning Laner school Hackney on 11 May 1885, address 37 Morning Lane. As two brothers a few years apart in age join on the same day, it is likely to coincide with the family moving. They both leave on 24 Oct 1885. Their previous school was in Brighton.
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Has anone on here tried Autosomal DNA testing? I'm curious, as it apparantly gives results from male and female lines... but I wonder how generalised that would be?
Romilly :-\
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No, I'm interested to hear what they say about DNA testing as I can't really say that it is anything I've ever thought about doing. I can't really see how it would help.
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No, I'm interested to hear what they say about DNA testing as I can't really say that it is anything I've ever thought about doing. I can't really see how it would help.
I'm thinking specifically about my elusive Paternal Grandfather... I had always thought that there was little point in my having a DNA Test, as I would only get a Maternal line result. However, I'm wondering now if the Autosomal Test might give me some pointers on the Paternal side; which is a closed book to me at present. I have read about adopted people finding relatives through autosomal testing, but one never knows if these people exist... or it's just good PR from the Company concerned! (It is also quite expensive I think).
Romilly.
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I presume you only get results if some other relation has also taken a test? Isn't it more popular in the US than here at the moment? It will be interesting to hear what people on the course say when we cover that aspect.
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My impression is that this sort of DNA Test is more widely used in the US than the UK. But this FL Course seems to be very US tilted...!!
Romilly.
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Romilly,
Someone on the course has recently posted this in relation to DNA testing "...confirmed great-great-great grandparents (born c1780) where we had a choice of couples with the same names born about the same time in Ayrshire." I've replied asking exactly how this worked...am awaiting an answer.
Jen
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Romilly,
Someone on the course has recently posted this in relation to DNA testing "...confirmed great-great-great grandparents (born c1780) where we had a choice of couples with the same names born about the same time in Ayrshire." I've replied asking exactly how this worked...am awaiting an answer.
Jen
Hi Jen,
That does sound very precise! It'll be interesting to see what answer you get.
Romilly.
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I haven't started on week 2 yet, but am reading this thread so I don't have to start at the beginning to catch up.
I had a Familyfinder autosomal test with FTDNA. Results were interesting and as I expected. Yes, it is more popular in the USA so you will get more matches from there. FTDNA are supposed to be the best/most popular and they have special offers - mine cost $99 which includes postage. Some other companies I believe do not include postage so you need to do your sums.
I contacted one person who (via a google search) I knew to be deceased, though I thought a family member may have taken over their test results and emails. No reply.
I contacted two more. No reply from one. The other one looked through my surnames but did not recognize any of them.
I will eventually get round to contacting more people on my list of matches, but these were the closest matches (2nd to 4th cousins I think) so in theory we should have been able to find a paper trail.
So, although interesting, no matches. :-\ I think you tend to hear about the success stories because people are so excited to have found a match ....
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So what do we think about the mind map idea? (I did make a comment but had to reign it in a bit.)
The example they showed bewildered me. Couldn't make head nor tail of it. Con-fus-ing ..... ;) It is probably just me though ....
Might be different if you had created it for yourself so you knew what you were trying to show. :P
Not convinced. I am going to go back and have a closer look at it though.
I have noticed that most comments about what is being taught are so positive - I feel a bit bad for always looking noticing the negative. I suppose we are just being taught techniques and we each take something different from it.
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Hi Romilly,
His answer is below - if you're signed into the course it will link straight through.
Jen
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/genealogy/1/steps/63605/comments?page=3#comment_11416414
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Many thanks for the Link Jen. I've replied; which should keep me in the loop for further replies.
As I thought, - DNA tests appear to have a much higher take up in North America and Canada than in the UK. As far as I know... my ancestors are entirely English and Welsh, and so fewer results I would think?
I have, (hopefully) persuaded a male cousin on the paternal side to have a DNA test, and will wait and see what that turns up before going ahead.
Romilly.
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Is it just me or is any one else annoyed by the fact she is looking off to the side most of the time?
I've noticed it but it hasn't really bothered me too much, I think we got a glimpse of her talking to a group at one point early on and I've just assumed that perhaps she's not directly recording just to camera but I could be wrong about that.
I found the recordings of names in 2.9 and 2.10 quite interesting.
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I'm only up to 2:6 so far, as I decided to space it out a bit more this week. Like Ruskie, I found the mind map confusing and don't think I'll be using that, however, for people who see things in that way, it is probably helpful.
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Glad it is not just me groom. I read some of the comments and all but one (and mine) were positive. :-\
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Regarding the DNA teats - you will get more matches with Americans because more of them have tested than those living in the UK. You may find distant cousins over there.
I have also noticed quite a high uptake in Eastern European countries. :)
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If I can make one prediction it's that no one will get rich selling "I'm a RootsChat Mind Mapper" merchandise :)
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If I can make one prediction it's that no one will get rich selling "I'm a RootsChat Mind Mapper" merchandise :)
;D
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If I can make one prediction it's that no one will get rich selling "I'm a RootsChat Mind Mapper" merchandise :)
;D ;D ;D
I also found it confusing and I thought my way of keeping things straight or trying to, when I am searching was confusing ;D ;D
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Ahhh..Tony Buzan and mindmapping - please make it go away! A simple useful idea, doodle your thoughts on a piece of paper and maybe seeing some connections - transformed into mind mapping, tree diagrams, fan charts, spider diagrams, sunbursts the list goes on and on and on....
Jen
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So what do we think about the mind map idea? (I did make a comment but had to reign it in a bit.)
The example they showed bewildered me. Couldn't make head nor tail of it. Con-fus-ing ..... ;) It is probably just me though ....
Might be different if you had created it for yourself so you knew what you were trying to show. :P
I've decided that mind-mapping just isn't me: as far as I'm concerned, all this 'the oldest thought is at the bottom left, and you work round clockwise: the newest thought is at bottom right' (or words to that effect) is no different to taking a sheet of paper and writing a list.
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This comment by Philip
Only because you ask: Based on this week I am considering quitting this course because I'm having trouble tolerating how unprofessional it is. The Google hangout was awful quality. Multiple linked resources have closed. Marie Dougan's video was very poorly produced and she seems to be receiving free advertising. And the Riepenhausens videos are obnoxiously insincere (a fault of the producers, not the actors). All the good-quality material is on the external sites referenced. I will try to hang in there another week, since it's free and created with good intentions.
Oh how I agree with him.
I am afraid it makes me look on Strathclyde University in a bad light. I don't think it comes out of this very well.
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I was surprised that there has been no mention on the introduction to this week about the failure of the Google Hangout. Considering that everyone said the same thing, I did think there might be an explanation or a transcription of the broadcast.
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I think my equivalent system of mind-mapping works better. I use a word-processing document, type in everything I know in chronological order and can then slot in any new items in the relevant places as and when I find them. I have one page per direct-line ancestor with the same system for each of their children further down the page. Everything goes into the direct-line ancestors part including birth, marriage and death dates of their spouse and children. It seems a lot easier than the mind-mapping system shown.
Or am I missing something? ??? ??? ???
Rishile
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Sounds like a nice simple efficient method Rishile. :)
I must admit I have not carefully examined the mind map example given (and I probably should), but seeing dates from the 1800s on one side and from the 1940s on the other, and coloured lines leading who knows where, made my eyes glaze over - trying to figure it out looks too much like hard work. :)
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I'm afraid that the mind-mapping example reminded me too much of 'Death by Powerpoint"....
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I don't think mind mapping is my bag either (too much of a reminder of in service training?) but each to their own.
William
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As we thought...mind mapping is a fancy term for writing a list or timeline. But I can see the benefit of the circular chart as you can see it all at a glance on one page rather than having to scroll down a list.
I sometimes use a table with lots of columns which does the same thing as Rishile's list and helps to keep it on one page rather than spilling over to two pages or more if it gets too long.
I watched the location;/geography video which was quite interesting. And the FAN Family and Neighbour thing was interesting too. I think it is something we see a lot of on Rootschat where people are solving puzzles - we just don't give it a fancy name :)
Milly
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And the FAN Family and Neighbour thing was interesting too. I think it is something we see a lot of on Rootschat where people are solving puzzles - we just don't give it a fancy name
I think you are right there, Milly. We probably all do a lot of the things suggested but don't call them the proper names.
Did anyone try the Vocaroo exercise, I'm afraid I just skipped that bit? Looking at the comments it doesn't look as if many people have recorded anything, I've only found and listened to 5 or 6.
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Where is the Vacaroo thing? Maybe I didn't reach it yet.
Update: I just found it...but dont think I will bother :)
I just downloaded FeeMind to test out this mind mapping thing. I tried it out on a non genealogy project I am starting - and it is actually quite good. All the "to do" things that were in my head are now in a circle :)
I may try it out on one of my brick walls and see what happens... although as I am looking for John Smith from Lancashire I don't hold out much hope
Milly
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All this 'Mind Mapping' takes me back to the 'Spider Diagrams' that I remember using when I started teaching in the 1970's... (And I think they were 'old hat' then:-)
I think that I will stay with my scribbled notes. :)
Milly, - 'John Smith in Lancashire' is almost as bad as 'William Wilson in Lancashire'!!
Romilly ;D
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I thought it might be interesting if it was tried out on a Rootschat unsolved "cold case" on here but failing that, I'd be interested to hear how soon John Smith gets found :)
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Could try it on a scavenger hunt - But by the time you have entered all the information I would imagine some genius Rootschatter would have solved the mystery and be onto the next one :)
Milly
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Surely much of this gobbledygook could be just boiled down to the two words I use - lateral thinking.
This covers all the FAN thinking wildcards etc. etc.
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Yes, I agree.
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Me too! Just up to the mind mapping and FAN stuff now, and after a quick look, I think that I already do something like this, but perhaps not quite as structured, and I didn't know it had a fancy name ::)
(or a program that does it for you!) I scribble stuff down on a big piece of paper and see who might fit where, I thought it was just common sense ;D My problem is that I now have too many bits of paper ;D
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Surely much of this gobbledygook could be just boiled down to the two words I use - lateral thinking.
This covers all the FAN thinking wildcards etc. etc.
That's what I was thinking too. ;) They seemed to be trying to overcomplicate something that could have been far more easily explained. :-\
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Surely much of this gobbledygook could be just boiled down to the two words I use - lateral thinking.
This covers all the FAN thinking wildcards etc. etc.
That's what I was thinking too. ;) They seemed to be trying to overcomplicate something that could have been far more easily explained. :-\
My thoughts are they are justifying their existence, and salary.
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You may be right jaywit. The problem is I don't think the course will encourage many to want to pay the high fees to do anything else from the university in this field, unless of course it improves considerably.
Came across this interesting review blog post on Wk1 - http://www.rootschat.com/links/01hb2/.
Tend to agree with it. I had my doubts about the course to begin with, appeared to be trying to cater for too wide a range of researchers in such a short time period, and so far unfortunately that's the impression I'm getting. So far it appears to be trying to appeal to beginners, but not doing a particularly good job at it. :-X And I agree with all the comments about video presentation, its not been particularly good.
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I'm trying to look at this course from the perspective of complete beginners and wonder if it is designed to be more helpful to them than to those of us who have been working at our research for some time and who have worked at this in our own way, sometimes efficiently and sometimes not.
I'm still keeping an open mind and am looking at Mocavo for the first time. It's interesting, but I'm not sure how helpful it will be.
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I had a subscription to Mocavo for a while.
I did find some interesting snippets, but it's heavily US-based.
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Many of us are experienced researchers, and the course, by its very nature, has to lean heavily toward beginners.
It's free, it takes little time, and I'm treating it like a visit to a distant archive when I'm on holiday ... one snippet of info, or one new site, or one new entry for the database, makes it all worthwhile.
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Many of us are experienced researchers, and the course, by its very nature, has to lean heavily toward beginners.
It's free, it takes little time, and I'm treating it like a visit to a distant archive when I'm on holiday ... one snippet of info, or one new site, or one new entry for the database, makes it all worthwhile.
I'm doing the same. There are several tips and new resources I've picked up and getting the quizzes right first time is an ego boost! ;D
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I learnt something new today. I didn't know you could search widcards as either one word or more than one word by using different symbols
Update. I mean one letter in a word - not one word
Milly
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I learnt something new today. I didn't know you could search widcards as either one word or more than one word by using different symbols
Milly
I haven't got very far with Week 2 as yet, - but hope to learn something new about searching.
Which section does this bit come under?
Romilly.
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It is in 2.11 USING WILDCARDS so towards the end
Just noticed. I said using wildcard to find one word.... What I meant to say is replace one letter in a word... or more than one letter in a word.
Milly
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I've never heard of Mocavo. I entered in a couple of the more unusual names from my tree and although I entered a first name and a surname results returned just showed both names within the same list for example, so useless (and all were American results). ::)
I agree with sugarbaker - if you take even one thing from the course, it will be worthwhile. :)
I like Kate's blog smudwhisk - common sense and straight talking.
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I have stumbled across Mocavo a few times while doing google searches for people, the results being from digitised directories( from Scotland) and books. The book reader was actually very straightforward to navigate. If those sort of resources are incorporated by Find my Past when it fully absorbs Mocavo it could be useful.
William
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Did anyone try the Vocaroo exercise, I'm afraid I just skipped that bit? Looking at the comments it doesn't look as if many people have recorded anything, I've only found and listened to 5 or 6.
Almost tempted but nothing too out of ordinary to share ... recordings are few and far between but I have listened to most I think, some too indistinct though and accents definitely make a huge difference!
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Did anyone try the Vocaroo exercise, I'm afraid I just skipped that bit? Looking at the comments it doesn't look as if many people have recorded anything, I've only found and listened to 5 or 6.
Almost tempted but nothing too out of ordinary to share ... recordings are few and far between but I have listened to most I think, some too indistinct though and accents definitely make a huge difference!
Also skipped that bit, but listened to a few but the accents definitely do play a part. Imagine the poor census taker having to fill in forms trying to understand all the different types of accents that are around. No wonder we sometimes see odd variations of what we think are common names..... ;D ;D
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So far I feel that I could just have read a book to get the information provided. The presentation is not very exciting compared with the other MOOC courses I have done, and I do wish the presenter would not pronounce genealogy as geneology.
Incidentally, I haven't seen many Rootschatters among the comments, but I'm not ploughing my way through all of these by any means. ;)
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Perhaps we're commenting on here!
The problem with the course is that after some sections there are so many comments it is difficult to read them all, I just look at those I'm following and perhaps the most liked. On the other hand, some sections have less than 100 comment, so, given the number of people on the course, that means an awful lot are a silent majority. ;D ;D
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It seems to be a problem for this course that people in the main are simply commenting on their own experiences, which may very occasionally resonate with another participant and be helpful, but too often make boring reading (there, I've said it, but I'm guilty of it myself, too :o). Weeding out the replies relevant to oneself is hard work and maybe there needs to be some other system for searching for them.
I have, however found some participants giving useful tips about sites to visit (including RootsChat!).
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Perhaps we're commenting on here!
The problem with the course is that after some sections there are so many comments it is difficult to read them all, I just look at those I'm following and perhaps the most liked. On the other hand, some sections have less than 100 comment, so, given the number of people on the course, that means an awful lot are a silent majority. ;D ;D
A few of the students also created a Facebook page and a number of people are commenting on there instead. There are about 740 members at the moment. The group can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/understandinggenealogy/
I wouldn't be surprised if there are other groups around the place as well. This may have the effect of watering down the number of comments on the Futurelearn site.
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I joined the FB group but had to switch off notifications and hide the group, as my email box was getting full up and my FB page flooded with posts. ;D ;D
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It seems to be a problem for this course that people in the main are simply commenting on their own experiences, which may very occasionally resonate with another participant and be helpful, but too often make boring reading (there, I've said it, but I'm guilty of it myself, too :o). Weeding out the replies relevant to oneself is hard work and maybe there needs to be some other system for searching for them.
I have, however found some participants giving useful tips about sites to visit (including RootsChat!).
That is true. I am not bothering to read all the personal reflections, but the lessons have asked us to do this (though I have not done so).
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I've (mostly) been following my grandfather's maxim that if you have nothing to say, you should say nothing. So far, I have learned more from some of the links, including ones posted by other students, than from the course itself. That is fair enough, since it has to cover the whole range of research experience from the beginning. It does seem less professional than I expected though, and I am surprised that there has been no acknowledgement of the Hangouts fiasco.
From the comments being posted before the course had even begun, I felt that a great many people had misunderstood the nature of it, and were expecting advice for their particular problems instead of a general guide to how to go about researching. Now, some seem just to want to chat about their research, some seem less open-minded than one would expect of researchers, and I am astounded at how many have apparently been researching for some time but seem never to have looked beyond a certain well-advertised website, or made any attempt to read up on genealogy.
There's been occasional unintended humour too, perhaps caused by predictive text changing words. If the poster is reading this, I apologise for laughing, but I really cracked up when, in response to the sections on planning ones research, someone described going off on a tandem and coming up against a brick wall! Ouch! ;D
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Hi,
No, I've really not felt inclined to contribute to the conversation either. In fact I'm not even reading the comments now.
Too many on the course , I think to have thoughtful contributions. I really joined to see what the course was all about. I'm always open to learning new methods of research or interested to hear about websites etc.
Not crazy about their v. boring videos. Considering they have the whole of the University of Strathclyde to tap into - you think they could grab a couple of Media undergrads to help them with their communication techniques! I'm also now focused on Tahitha's "um's" and the other lady who kept glancing at her notes... :-X
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I apologise for laughing, but I really cracked up when, in response to the sections on planning ones research, someone described going off on a tandem and coming up against a brick wall! Ouch!
That's a brilliant one. ;D ;D
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I'm also now focused on Tahitha's "um's" and the other lady who kept glancing at her notes... :-X
Me too. That plus her hands in constant motion make it a bit difficult for me to hear the content. But we don't know the background. Perhaps because it is free to the public, the presenters have difficulty in obtaining sufficient resources from the Uni to deliver 'professional' presentations
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I watched a couple of the videos and now just read the transcripts. You get all the information without the distractions.
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I'm also now focused on Tahitha's "um's" and the other lady who kept glancing at her notes... :-X
Me too. That plus her hands in constant motion make it a bit difficult for me to hear the content. But we don't know the background. Perhaps because it is free to the public, the presenters have difficulty in obtaining sufficient resources from the Uni to deliver 'professional' presentations
Having done several other courses I'm not sure that is the case as other presentations have been very good.
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I rather thought that would be the case; I was trying to be a bit generous
'Tis a pity that they appear not to have road-tested the videos beforehand, and internally no-one has pointed out where they might improve things a little.
I also now just read the transcripts
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I apologise for laughing, but I really cracked up when, in response to the sections on planning ones research, someone described going off on a tandem and coming up against a brick wall! Ouch!
That's a brilliant one. ;D ;D
But it takes two to tandem, hope the other one didn't hit the brick wall too ;D
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One thing I like about the course is that it is making some of the beginners really think about their research methodology. I've seen plenty of posts on RC complaining about leaf-clickers and people not understanding the most basic of research practices. So a course like this should be applauded for covering these basics. Maybe there will be a few less ignorant researchers in the world to complain about! ;)
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Oh I am already behind -- son gave me a Kindle for my birthday --- yes it was yesterday our time_
I have been trying to read the pre reading on my Iphone whist sitting in waiting rooms.
Thank goodness it is - A go at your own pace course.
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Good point to just read transcriptions, am finding it hard going to complete week 2 with interest to be honest.
Am disappointed with course for me any ways, not taking away what others derive from it. Just being honest.
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I am surprised how many people have commented that they have never used wildcards before. One person mentioned that they use them in their job but not in searches on genealogy databases. :o
Most databases recommend them and explain how to use them, especially if you get too many or too few results in a search .... :-\
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I've been astonished at how quickly I've been able so far to get through the week's topic, as on other MOOC courses it has been a struggle to complete the "three hours per week" quoted as required for the course, sometimes taking more like three hours a day (I put this down to my age :D). Whether this is because of the smallish amount of material included or because I'm not following up all the references given, I'm not sure, but it's certainly different to the others I have done and I'm finding myself rather passive and just receiving information rather than doing exercises to test myself, as I had to do on the others.
Of course, the real test will come when I have to reorganise my research methods and material. I keep putting it off as it will be a mammoth task, I know.
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Gill
My feeling is you probably do so much of this it is second nature. It probs does not take too long to grasp the concept and move on.
It would probably be quite interesting if Tahitha put in a few exercises, but I suspect that would require far more effort than they wish to expend on this course. I would suspect this 'taster' is to entice you onto the fee paying course they offer :-X
CD
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I've found the same, Gill. On other courses I've done, such as "Life on Hadrian's Wall", and "England in the time of Richard III" there have been a lot of references to follow up and I've often spent a long time looking at different resources, or reading comments made by others. A lot of the comments on this one, by the very nature of the topic, are anecdotes. It would be nice if there were a few exercises eg to trace someone back to grandparents, but then I suppose that is what a lot of us do daily here.
It must have been quite a difficult course to plan, with students of such varying experiences and expectations. As said previously, a lot of people went into it with the hope of finding someone, which unless they learn of a resource they haven't heard of, is probably not going to happen. Perhaps it would have been better if they had two courses, one for beginners and one for those of us with more experience.
I hope it doesn't put people off doing other courses, as FL have some brilliant ones - apart from the two I mentioned above, I've also done a couple about WW1 and one on Agincourt, all good. I've just spotted one about The History of Royal Food and Feasting, so I've signed up for that as it looks interesting.
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At last we have a comment on the google hangout
I would like to apologise for the technical issues that we experienced during our first Google Hangout. We have taken steps to ensure this won’t happen again.
In response to the poor audio and video quality, I have written up my replies to the questions that I received during the Google Hangout for you to read. These are available on the Week 1 Google Hangout step.
I look forward to seeing you all in our next Google Hangouts in Week 3 and Week 6. We’ll have some special guests for these Hangouts so I hope you can join us! As before the Hangout sessions will be available for viewing on YouTube if you can’t be with us on the day.
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I just saw that. Will give it another try and see what happens. ;)
I also signed up for the Royal Food and Feasting. Looks like it could be fun and interesting
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I just saw that. Will give it another try and see what happens. ;)
I also signed up for the Royal Food and Feasting. Looks like it could be fun and interesting
I read the questions she was asked and the answers she gave, so won't bother to listen. A lot of answers seemed to be "We'll cover that later" type.
The food one does look interesting especially as they are giving recipes to try out.
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The food one does look interesting especially as they are giving recipes to try out.
Getting the swan in my local Tesco (other supermarkets are available) might be tricky. But chocolate recipes sound good ;D
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The food one does look interesting especially as they are giving recipes to try out.
Getting the swan in my local Tesco (other supermarkets are available) might be tricky. But chocolate recipes sound good ;D
I thought I might catch my own, highly illegal though, so it would have to be done under cover of darkness. Mind you, knowing how vicious they can be, the swan might come off best! ;D
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If it ever comes up again, I can heartily recommend "Cultural Studies and Modern Languages" - a brilliant course given by Bristol University. A clutch of lecturers and professors gave well illustrated examples of slogans, monuments, maps and history, several speakers each week. There was lots to read and learn, quite a few demanding exercises and excellent videos. No expense spared, I should think. I'm sure there are many others of a similar quality on offer. I'm a linguist, so also did an introductory course of Dutch for a challenge, too.
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Someone mentioned earlier that they wondered if Strathclyde we hoping to get people to join their other courses.
Have you seen what they charge?
http://www.strath.ac.uk/courses/yourfamilyhistory/
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I've been following the course, but with low expectations, and so far they've been met. The umms, and ahhs, reading from notes and the Jenny Allergy references just complete the picture ;)
I've now looked at Cyndi's List for the first time, but can't really make head nor tail of it :(
Also, Week 2 made fleeting reference to some FH sheets available from a FH society. Can anyone point me towards a [free] example of what they look like, please?
Thanks
STG
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Also, Week 2 made fleeting reference to some FH sheets available from a FH society. Can anyone point me towards a [free] example of what they look like, please?
Thanks
STG
In a reply, Tahita put this - are the the ones you mean? reply on 2:13 21st March
We bought the booklets provided to Chris in her intro class from the Aberdeen and NorthEast Scotland Family History Society. Other FHS do much the same type of thing (I know the Glasgow/West of Scotland FHS do). You can buy them from the Aberdeen FHS from their webpage at: http://www.anesfhs.org.uk/publ.php and it is called 'Family Record. H Craig. Workbook to record your family research' and can be found in the Miscellaneous section of the list of publications.
If you happen to be in Scotland (and I know many are not) Aberdeen FHS does go to many Scottish family history fairs to sell publications. I suspect they will be at the upcoming Scottish Family History Society fair in New Lanark on the 23rd of April.
The booklets are really good tools!
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Well, yes, but they're not free ;D
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Well, yes, but they're not free ;D
Probably are if you do the paying course. ;D ;D
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But I am not paying for the course so they're not free :'(
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STG, I'm glad it's not just me who gets lost with Cyndi's list. There's so much on there that I don't even know where to start. :) How much of it is useful, I don't know. (None of my research is in America).
I first dabbled in it many years ago but didn't find what I was looking for so didn't return until I glanced at it again when it was recommended on this course.
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Smalltown Girl, just Google "free genealogy forms" and you can take your pick.
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I found Cyndi's list very useful for information on the Norfolk (UK) village where most of OH's family lived for some 200 years. This was before Familysearch put Norfolk parish registers online.
I agree there is a lot of stuff but for me it was worth persevering.
Pat
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I never got to grips with Cyndi`s list either.
SGT . Not sure what the FH sheets mentioned looked like..but there are lots of useful looking chart templates here
http://www.familytreetemplates.net/
Milly
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Worst thing about Cyndi's list is all the broken links.
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I have to admit that I've been lazy and haven't even finished week 1 yet! ???
Just haven't been able to get "hooked" into it! Up to the quiz now, but when the spirit moves me again, I'll go back through what I have already done to refresh my fried brain before attacking that, and then move on to Week 2!
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I have to admit that I've been lazy and haven't even finished week 1 yet! ???
Just haven't been able to get "hooked" into it! Up to the quiz now, but when the spirit moves me again, I'll go back through what I have already done to refresh my fried brain before attacking that, and then move on to Week 2!
jaybelnz you are not alone.
I hope to get some done when on" my big adventure" next week. Not having to go to so many appointments I should have some free time. ::) ::)
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Good for you Spices!! And all the very best for your big "adventure"! Hope everything goes really well for you!
Now you've set a real challenge for me - 😄😄😄
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So glad to see others views on Cyndis List. I always thought it was just me who didn't really get it.
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... but there are lots of useful looking chart templates here
http://www.familytreetemplates.net/
Thanks for the link.
Had a good snoop around there, but nothing takes my fancy.
STG
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Or Cyndi's List?! ;D
http://www.cyndislist.com/charts/
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Or Cyndi's List?! ;D
http://www.cyndislist.com/charts/
I thang kew ;)
STG
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Hi STG,
Before the course started I had a look at the Strathclyde website to see if they had any useful family history resources but there were a lot of broken links (my pet hate)....so before the course started I put together a page of useful Scottish links as I thought anyone new to Scottish research might find it helpful. I've asked people on the course to contribute so the list has grown...I also put up a few bits and pieces about record keeping including a blank family sheet...
https://jensjardin.wordpress.com/scottish-family-history/
Jen
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Hi STG,
Before the course started I had a look at the Strathclyde website to see if they had any useful family history resources but there were a lot of broken links (my pet hate)....so before the course started I put together a page of useful Scottish links as I thought anyone new to Scottish research might find it helpful. I've asked people on the course to contribute so the list has grown...I also put up a few bits and pieces about record keeping including a blank family sheet...
https://jensjardin.wordpress.com/scottish-family-history/
Jen
Very interesting. Thanks Jen
STG
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I have just finished this week's lessons.
I am surprised by the comments in the discussion about how the course is going so far ... are these edited?
Everyone is so positive and has learned so much. I don't class myself as anywhere near an experienced researcher (more like a beginner), but I haven't learned anything that I didn't already know (albeit by a different name). There was one comment by someone who has been researching for 30 years who claims to have learned a lot ... huh? :P :-\
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I know .... :o !!
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I am surprised by the comments in the discussion about how the course is going so far ... are these edited?
Everyone is so positive and has learned so much.
Perhaps those that so far have not learnt anything new are just waiting patiently and not passing comment ::)
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Hi STG,
Before the course started I had a look at the Strathclyde website to see if they had any useful family history resources but there were a lot of broken links (my pet hate)....so before the course started I put together a page of useful Scottish links as I thought anyone new to Scottish research might find it helpful. I've asked people on the course to contribute so the list has grown...I also put up a few bits and pieces about record keeping including a blank family sheet...
https://jensjardin.wordpress.com/scottish-family-history/
Jen
That was a great idea and a useful list, Jen. May I point out that North Perthshire Family History Group's link is out of date. We now share a website with Pitlochry and Moulin Heritage Centre which can be found here: http://www.pitlochryandmoulinheritagecentre.co.uk/ (http://www.pitlochryandmoulinheritagecentre.co.uk/)
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Hi STG,
Before the course started I had a look at the Strathclyde website to see if they had any useful family history resources but there were a lot of broken links (my pet hate)....so before the course started I put together a page of useful Scottish links as I thought anyone new to Scottish research might find it helpful. I've asked people on the course to contribute so the list has grown...I also put up a few bits and pieces about record keeping including a blank family sheet...
https://jensjardin.wordpress.com/scottish-family-history/
Jen
(/quote]
I agree, this is a great idea Jen, another free resource is to be found on the Dumfries and Gallway Council website. If you go to Archives then Historical Indexes various documents have been transcribed including the 1851 Census.
http://info.dumgal.gov.uk/HistoricalIndexes/
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Thank you both so much for posting. North Perth has been updated and I've added the Dumfries and Galloway site - SO jealous they have Kirk Session Records.
Jen
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NEW THREAD FOR WEEK 3
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=744918.0