Bogus Websites:

To quote their email "The Generations Network, Inc. is encouraging consumers to validate and verify the legitimacy of a website before providing credit card information or paying for services.â 

This is good advice.  You know the rules on the Internet really shouldn't be much different than the rules in our daily lives.  Find out about someone"s character and background before you hang out with them, and get referrals for unknown companies from people you trust.   

Family Tree Kids:

Diane Haddad on NBC San Diego

Family Tree Kids Website

Tama Generations

Movie Gem:  Leatherheads:

Iâll have a link to the official website in the show notes as well as a video preview of the  movie.  Leatherheads Website

MAILBOX:

Pat Dalpiazâs grandfather "Weenie" Flynn was a star quarterback on the St. Bonaventure University (Alleghany NY) football team for 3 years.  He appeared in Ripley's Believe It or Not for his football leadership weighing only 117 pounds and leading the team to impressive victories. 

Randy Borkowskiâs website

Deanna Bullock wrote in to give a very good reason why you should subscribe to the free Genealogy Gems Podcast Newsletter.  SUBSCRIBE NOW  

GEM: Analyzing Your Ancestors Handwriting

Story of how Grandmpa JB and Grandma Paulineâs letters came into my possession:  Episode 39.    

Listen to some of the letters in Episode 41. 

Paula Sassi, Certified Graphologist. 
Email.  Website  www.handwritingconsultants.com

VIDEO: Paula Sassi featured on San Diego's Fox 6 News

Learn more about Handwriting Analysis at http://www.handwriting.org/

GEM: Genealogy Gems Premium

I am VERY excited to announce that we are launching a new service:  Genealogy Gems PREMIUM.  If you enjoy the free podcast episodes that weâve made available, your gonna LOVE Genealogy Gems PREMIUM!

Premium Members are going to have access to an exciting new area of the website available only to Premium members.  There youâll find Members-only premium podcast episodes.  You wonât be able to hear these anywhere else!  It will be everything you love about the episodes youâve heard so far, and much more.  

BONUS FEATURES:

1. Members Only Message Board Forum. 
2. Gnealogy Gems Crossword puzzles
3. Behind the Scenes with Lisa
4. Complete archive of every Genealogy Gems Podcast Newsletter!

For about the cost of a gallon of gas or a gourmet coffee a month youâll get all of these exclusive podcasts and videos! You wonât find them on iTunes. 

Paula Sassi certified graphologist has graciously agreed to analyze some lucky premium members ancestorâs handwriting.  So once you are a Premium member, you will be entered for a chance to win an analysis of an ancestor's handwriting to be featured on a Premium episode. 

And finally, I have a very special offer for newsletter subscribers:  I will be emailing out to all subscribers a coupon code valid through May 31, 2008 that you can use to get 20% off an annual Premium subscription.  If you arenât currently subscribed to the newsletter, just send me an email today with your name, state and how you first heard about the podcast and you will receive the coupon code in an email.

So wonât you join me, and become a Genealogy Gems premium member today!  I guarantee youâre gonna love it, or your money back. 

Email Lisa

Sign up for Newsletter: mailto:genealogygemspodcast@gmail.com with your name, state or country and how you first heard about the podcast.   I encourage you to do that today so you won't miss a thing!

MAILBOX:  Email from Linda Kvist in Sweden that includes a fun story about an immigrant who didn"t immigrate:

"They were somewhat surprised that my father did contact them. In the church examine rolls it said that my dads grandfather emigrated to the US! He left the place and never came back. We know he never got to the US though. He met he's wife and the settled down in the area where she was born. So, in a way, we solved a clue for them as well!"

GEM:  Mar 22, 2008 was the anniversary of the First Bank Robbery Profile America is brought to you  by the U.S. Census Bureau.

CBSNews.com that takes a look at the precedent for bank robbery that Edward Smith set by profiling some of the most famous robbers in history.   48 Hours Mystery Article 

GEM: Kidnapped!  Listener Greg Norland sent me a note to let me know about an intriguing podcast episode of the Chicago Public Radioâs This American Life show that he had recently heard.  The Ghost of Bobby Dunbar

Song: Mystery of the Dunbarâs Child by Richard "Rabbittâ Brown.

Here are a few pieces of the puzzle that Bobby Dunbar's granddaughter, Margaret Dunbar Cutright likely looked to when working on finding the truth about her grandfather.  From The Constitution newspaper, in Atlanta, GA.  On April 25, 1913  âHave the Parents Got Wrong Child?â

The 1920 census of Opelusas City, in Fort Landry, Louisianna

Look for Percy and Lessie Dunbar, and their two children Robert age 11 and Alonozo age 9.  Or were they both their children?  Be sure and take a look at the census during the last few minutes of The Ghost of Bobby Dunbar as they give the ending to the story and what happened to the people involved. 

Email me with your thoughts or comments on the Ghost of Bobby Dunbar.

GEM: Prison Records:  My cousin Carolyn Ender shares her journey in locating the prison records for a man named George Jump who married her grand fatherâs sister.

Carolyn's Research Approach:

1. Try to determine the facility / town where you think they served their time.
2. Locate birth & death dates & the county where they lived during the suspected timeframe.
3. Contact the Genealogical & Historical Society for that county and ask where you might find inmate records.  Possibly the closest Corrections Dept.
4. Send a letter to the Corrections Dept. You may be directed to the Bureau of Prisons (www.bop.gov)  if it is a federal crime.
5. Complete a Freedom of Information Act request form & provide copy of the death certificate. (Listen to Episode 27 and Episode 32 for more information of the FOIA.) 
6. The BOP may refer you to NARA. They gave Carolyn a particular file # to ask for. 
7. NARA requires written consent from the inmate's family members or they black out the info regarding family members.  They will require payment for copying. 

If you know the inmate served in a Federal institution for a Federal crime, you can go straight to the Bureau of Prisons.  Consideration will have to be given to whether or not the inmate is deceased, how long he's been deceased, are his children living etc.  For State records, you could probably start with that state's Department of Corrections. 

GEM: Blog And Podcast Gadgets: Step-by-step instructions for Google Gadget customization can be found at the Genealogy Gems - Google Genealogy Research Strategies page.

GEM: Free digitised British newspapers access 1600-1900
Scottish Genealogy News and Events.  Temporary free trial to 17th, 18th and 19th Century British and Irish newspapers at the Gale Digital Collections website. You will need the following details to log in:
E-mail: rcc1934@aol.com
Login: virtual
Password: books

"Bonnie Scotlandâ was performer:Alexander Prince circa 1914 for Edison Amberol and it is courtesy of the University of California, Santa Barbara Library.

Thank You!  We appreciate when you support this free podcast by doing your Amazon shopping through the Amazon search boxes on the Genealogy Gems website.

My Own Grandpa Video:

                        
                      The Family History Silhouette Cake
       

My facebook page

MAILBOX:  Roxanne Diakow Moos wrote to say that she visited an aunt and uncle in Saskatchewan Canada, and they took her to visit the old homesteads of two sets of great grandparents.  "To others who look at my family history album and see those pictures they see a picture of land with nothing on it but a field but to me I can picture an old building that used to be there that raised a family and can almost picture the kids (my grandmother and her siblings) running around playing.â

Learn about Tyler MacNivenâs journey to find his fatherâs birthplace in Japan in the March 4 Genealogy Gems News Blog  

GEM: Canadian Border Crossings with Kathyrn Lake Hogan - Kathryn shares with us about Canadian Border Crossings into the United States and how many of our ancestors used this economic route to immigrate.

GEM:  Digital Preservation Tips from the Library of Congress - Digital preservation Cheat Sheet. covering Computer files, finding Digital Materials, Digital Photos, email, and storage disks. And the Digital Preservation Quiz

GEM: Interview with Richard Black of the Godfrey Memorial Library

GEM:  U.S. Census Bureau - Flu Epidemic's 90th Anniversary, and the new U.S. Census History website (listen to interview: Genealogy Gems Podcast Episode #43) Genealogy Gems News Blog on March 10.  Email Lisa with comments, suggestions and requests for the website and Iâll be forwarding all the information to the Director of History at the U. S. Census.

New at the Genealogy Gems News Blog:  A tribute to Womenâs history month, the new TV series Who Do You Think You Are being developed for American audiences by NBC, and Senior Moments Anyone? 

Visit the Genealogy Gems Website now - New stuff: movie recommendation, genealogy videos.  

Book: Genealogy Gems: Ultimate Research Strategies from Season One of the Genealogy Gems Podcast.  The book has everything covered in  the first 20 episodes and lots more including photos, website addresses and step-by-step how to information.  Itâs available in paperback as well as immediate digital download.  

Contact Lisa at Genealogy Gems

 
The newest addition to the Cooke household: Vinney

Genealogy Gems News Blog :  The British newspaper the Daily Mirror will soon be making available online newspaper issues back to 1903. 

MAILBOX:  You can see the photo of Michelle standing in the spot of her ancestor's homestead on the Genealogy Gems Podcast Listeners Page

 
Lisa at the ranch my great grandparents worked it in 1918.

GEM:  Interview with Dylan Barrell, Director of Digital Business for Borders Books about the new Borders Concept stores that will feature genealogy.

Upcoming Borders Concept Stores in 2008:
Las Vegas, NV - Town Square â April
Panama City Beach, FL â Pier Park â May
National City, CA â Westfield Shoppingtown Plaza Bonita â May
Alameda, CA â Alameda Town Center â May
Noblesville, IN  â Hamilton Town Center â May
Southbury, CT â Southbury Plaza â May
Mira Loma, CA â Eastvale Gateway Mall â  May
Lone Tree, CO  â Park Meadows Mall â May
Wareham, MA â Wareham Crossing â June 
 Baton Rouge, LA â Mall of Louisiana â July
Allen, TX â Watters Creek at Montgomery Farms â July
Tukwila, WA  â Westfield Southcenter Mall â July
New Orleans, LA â Garden District - October

GEM: Interview with Marcy Brown of Roots Television
View Lisa's video introducing the RootsTelevision audience to Genealogy Gems.

GEM:  New History Web Site from the U.S. Census Bureau Interview with Bill Maury, Chief of History Staff at the U.S. Census Bureau  

Genealogy Gems Crossword Puzzle

Sign up for the FREE monthly Genealogy Gems Podcast Newsletter TODAY

Dear MYRTLE's interview with Lisa Louise Cooke of Genealogy Gems on her Feb. 12, 2008 episode.  And Dear old Myrt also listed Episode 15 of the Genealogy Gems podcast in her weekly Best of the Internet blog column under Podcast. 

Venice Upcoming Live Shows:
Saturday, March 8, 2008: Acoustic Music San Diego - an acoustic Venice show.  (619) 303-8176 

Friday, April 4, 2008: Pine Mountain Logs show at the SohO Restaurant and Music Club (805) 962-7776  The Logs are Venice's alter ego - they perform only cover tunes!

Saturday, April 5, 2008: Pine Mountain Logs show at The Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, CA (858)481-8140 

Visit Venice at http://www.venicecentral.com/

MAILBOX: Gary Falsken recommends the history podcast "Napoleon 101â hosted by The Podcast Network.

GEM: Interview with Allison Stacy, editor of Family Tree Magazine
The Genealogy Insider Blog featuring the Family History Expo

GEN: Interview with Kathy Mead of Genline.com

You know this episode is very special to me because it fall on the first birthday of the Genealogy Gems Podcast.  There are several exciting things in the works for Genealogy Gems this coming year.   Genealogy Gems Newsletter Sign Up.

What was your favorite gem this last year? Email Lisa

Thank you for listening.  You guys are awesome!  We have no intentions of having Genealogy Gems podfade, and it"s because of you that weâre still here!  Venice song:   Weâre Still Here

A table full of listeners joined me at the Friday night banquet.  Jack Duffy and his daughter Anna Marie, Mark Baldwin, and Sue  and Albert Sevy all joined my husband and I and we had a grand time. 

- Day of the week at the Search for ancestors website
- Thanks to George Morgan of the Genealogy Guys Podcast for talking about the Genealogy Gems Podcast on their Jan 16, 2008 podcast. 
- My Heritage Quilts Video at RootsTelevision

Samantha Butterworth, Lisa Cooke & Marcy Brown

MAILBOX
From Betty:  Abbott & Costello Christmas DVD features several spots for Christmas Seals featuring celebrities such as Rosemary Clooney.
From Melissa: a silhouette done 30 years ago in Paris by a street vendor.  Listeners page   
Jim Mowatt of HistoryZine Podcast in Britain    

GEM:  Lulu.com
My book Genealogy Gems: Ultimate Research Strategies from Season One of the Genealogy Gems Podcast   At Lulu you'll find genealogy digital CDs, Videos, Calendars, Music and artwork.  A quick search of your surname or county where your ancestors lived could result in some real gems.  Save on the combined shipping.   

GEM: Valentines Special
Sit back and enjoy these yesteryear stories of loveâand perhaps they will inspire you to ask around your family for the origins of the ties that bind in your tree.  First, a Depression era story of love between Pauline Herring &JB Moore  

Nov. 2, 1934  Remember me and donât forget,  the blue eyed Girl is my pick yet.   (Below: Valentine JB sent to Pauline)

Next, is the story of Raymond Cooke and Isabelle Osborne.  Raymond was born in Tunbridge Wells, England in 1894.  He immigrated from England to Saskatchewan Canada in 1912, and in his autobiography he tells the story of how his love of music led to his finding the love of his lifeâ 

âTake your girlie to the moviesâ was performed by Irving Kaufman on May 19, 1919.  Story read by Jim Mowatt of the Historyzine Podcast.Ragtime music by Frederick Hodges  available on CD.

Raymond Cooke and Isabelle Osborne 50^th wedding anniversary 

If youâre enjoying the Genealogy Gems website, please consider nominating for the Family Tree Magazine âSite of the Week.â Fill out and submit the nomination form

Happy Valentines Day!   

Take Your Girlie to the Movies   
When the show is over And its time to leave
Donât forget to brush the powder From your sleeve...
Take your girlie to the movies if you canât make love at home 
(Original sheet music at the Indiana University Sheet Music Collections website!  Take Your Girlie to the Movies Sheet Music)

The Genealogy Gems News Blog: "Why should Lou Dobbs Care?â. And be sure and vote on the new poll question:  How do you listen to the podcast?

Family History Expo 2008 in St. George, UT.  I'll be attending the Friday night Banquet and I want to invite you to come sit at my table with me.  If you"re going to be a the Family History Expo, have purchased your banquet tickets (available online at the MyAncestorsFound.com website,) and you would like to dine together, drop me an email at with your name. (and anyone you might be attending with)  Confirmation will be by email.

Thanks to the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre    and DearMYRTLE  for their recent acknowledgements of The Socks To America Video.  Watch The Socks To America

MAILBOX:

(Left to right they are Guy M. Denton, Gladys V. Denton, Dorothy J. Denton and Guy V. Denton.) âGuy V. Denton 1895-1959 purchased this quilt from a lady from Arkansas who was traveling through Howard, KS.  Itâs obvious that it was not made with new materials as it did not wear well.â  Kevin Clark, Cedar Park, Texas

From Deb Atchley: âmy quilters only gave me initials - not full names and birth dates.  I think I've solved most of the puzzle though. â

 From: Linda Kvist  - Pod Cards in Reunion 9 genealogy software

I donât know if this is possible to do in any other genealogy software, perhaps you or any listener know?â

 GEM:  Traits Handed Down
African American Lives
African American Lives the book 
Chris Rock and Oprah arenât the only ones who have found significant tendencies and traits surface in their family history.  I feel compelled in this episode to share my top 10 list of important traits that I inherited from my ancestors!

GEM:  Care, Storage & Display of Heritage Quilts with Ellen Koehn

Quilt by Ellen Louise Koehn that hangs in Lisa's home...

PLEASE NOTE: All of the recommendations in this gem are
âUse at your own risk.â  While they are things that have worked successfully for our guest, you must use your own judgment as to who to proceed with your own unique quilt. 

At the grocery store:  Orvis Soap & Easy Wash.  Ellen also recommended the book Clues in the Calico by Barbara Brackman

iTunes:  If you are new to the podcast, be sure that you go back to the new Genealogy Gems subscription listing that you created in your podcast directory and click that GET ALL button.  Clicking the SUBSCRIBE button will only give you the most recent show and future shows.  By clicking GET ALL all the previous episodes will download for you.  

Go to the official Genealogy Gems Website and be sure and sign up for the FREE Genealogy Gems Monthly Newsletter

1890 census: visit the National Archives pages

New Poll Question at Genealogy Gems News Blog:
Are you a member of your local area genealogy society?

MAILBOX:

Diana Larson wrote to recommend the American Girl Collection: 

"The American Girls Collection books are a great way for children (and adults) to learn about children living through different periods in American historyâAlthough the stories themselves are fictional, they are thoroughly researched, and each book concludes with a brief section containing factual information, photographs, and artwork about that particular time period...â

Cathy Paris wrote in about the podcast.  View her family history videos about her dad, Gil Merrill born in 1913 in Franklin, NH

EMAIL LISA at the Genealogy Gems Podcast

The Genealogy Reviews Online Blog

GEM: Lisaâs History Podcast Picks

Binge Thinking History
By Tony Cocks
Website: http://bingethinkinghistory.libsyn.com/

Dan Carlinâs  Hardcore History
Website: http://www.dancarlin.com/

Digging for the Truth by the History Channel
Josh Bernstein is the host of this series on the History Channel. 
Season One.   2005.    4 episodes.  http://www.history.com/minisites/diggingforthetruth/
Season Two 2006.  12 episodes

Great Moments in History - by John G. Stockmyer. 10 episode free audio book published as a podcast
Website:  http://www.podiobooks.com/title/great-moments-in-history

History According to Bob 
Website: http://www.summahistorica.com/
Bobâs website devoted to WWI history:

The History Capsule
Website:  http://www.mystery-otr.net/mpir-radio/

History Center - From the History Channel
Website: http://www.history.com/media.do?id=hc_podcast213_immigration&action=clip

History In Our Time â BBC Radio 4
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/inourtime/

Historyzine: The History Podcast by Jim Mowatt
Website:  http://historyzine.com/

Journeys into American History by Dennis Humphrey
presents history through Old Time Radio programs. 
Website:  http://www.podango.com/podcast.php?podcastId=395

Just Another Day â The History Channel videocast hosted by Adam Hart-Davis.  Also How London Was Built & History in the Headlines.  Website: http://www.thehistorychannel.co.uk/site/podcasts/podcasts.php

http://www.thehistorychannel.co.uk/site/microsites/line_of_fire/

Mattâs Today in History

Website:  http://mattstodayinhistory.blogspot.com/

My History Can Beat Up Your Politics Podcast

Website:  http://myhistorycanbeatupyourpolitics.blogspot.com/

BRITISH HISTORY:

The National Archives Podcast Series
Podcast Website:  http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/rss/podcasts.xml
National Archives Website:  http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

Tudor Cast by Laura Eakins
Website:  http://tudorhistory.org/podcast/

REGIONAL SPECIFIC:

Abilene and Taylor County, Texas History Podcast
Stories , legends, and tales b David Gibson
Website:  http://abilenetexashistory.com/

DELWARE:  This Day in Delaware History. 
Brief historical facts from the first state in the Union compiled by the Deleware Archives. 
Website:  http://www.delaware.gov/

INDIANA:  Moments of Indiana History
Produced by WFIU Public Media in Bloomington, IN.
Website: http://momentofindianahistory.org/

MINNESOTA:  Almanac: Hands on History
Twin Cities Public Television
Website:  http://tpt.org/history/

MISSOURI:  Missouri Irish History and Legend: Ireland to America
Website:  http://www.irishroots.com/podcast2/rss.xml
From Michael OâLaughlin of the Irish Roots Podcast

OZARKS:  Shiloh Museum of Ozark History
The Museum is located in Springdale, Arkansas  
Website:  http://shilohcast.blogspot.com/

PENNSYLVANIA:  Explore PA History
Website:  http://witf.org/FM/podcasts.php
Produced by WITF radio in Pennsylvania, this podcast covers a wide range of topics and at last count had 66 episodes!

SAN FRANCISCO:  Sparkletack The San Francisco History Podcast
Website:  http://www.sparkletack.com/

Valley Forge History & Culture
By the National Park Service. 
Website:  http://www.nps.gov/vafo

GEM:  Heritage Quilts 

         
             Lenora HERRING              William Jefferson MOORE

                        Grandmother Pauline's Letters

                         The Quilt found in the suitcase

âThis quilt is for Ronald L. Moore.   It is the last quilt his Grandmother Herring made before her stroke and death.  She loved him so much.  I love you so very much Ron. 
I am so proud of you as a son.  All My Love, Motherâ

A job started really by her mother Lenora Herring who had made the quilt.  From great grandmother Herring to my young daughters, the quilt had spanned five generations of us stubborn Moores, and brought us all back together again. 

Here's a photo of the flour sack quilt that Carolyn refers to in the video:

The quilts have always cared for the family â first warming them and then bringing them together, and now leading us to other ancestors we didnât know.  Women may not have had a lot of time to use the power of the pen to document history, but they did have some mighty powerful sewing needles!

Coming Soon: An expert quilter who will pass on some ideas for all of us on how to properly care for our heritage quilts. 

Sequence and Dutch Blitz:
It's is a fast-paced card game that I understand was created by Werner Ernst George Muller, a German immigrant from Bucks County,Pennsylvania. The game is supposed to be very popular among the Pennsylvania Amish and Dutch community.  It"s a lot like playing speed solitare with three other people all at the same time. 

The Genealogy Gems video about the history of the Christmas seal called "How You Ancestors Made A Difference"

It is also now being featured on the RootsTube Channel at Rootstelevision. 

Genealogy Gems News Blog features my New Years Resolution for 2008:  To have even MORE genealogy fun!  

Be sure to subscribe to the blog so that youâll be alerted when new items are published.  If youâre using iGoogle for your homepage, you can click the Google icon on the blog and add it, or you can add it to you Google Reader. 

Subscribe to the free Genealogy Gems Newsletter.    Send an email with your name, state (or country) and how you heard about the podcast.

Maureen Taylorâs blog about what to do with your Christmas cards when Christmas is over. 

MAILBOX:
Richard Yehle wrote in about  Genealogy Gems Episode 36 where I talked about the passport database at Ancestry and finding the back of the original form with the picture.   He gives some great examples of how, sometimes, there is even more to be discovered!

Richardâs experience with the passports is such a great example of not just looking for what you expect to find, but looking for the unexpected. 

GEM:  Venice Interview
âMay You Alwaysâ was sung by The Lennon Sisters on the Lawrence Welk Show.

 Lennon Sisters Website

The Lennon Sisters are the eldest of 12 siblings in the Lennon family, and certainly NOT the only ones with musical talent.   I recently had an opportunity to meet with their younger brothers Pat and Kipp and first cousins Michael and Mark who musically merge as the group Venice. 

Watch a video of Venice performing âThe Family Treeâ

âThe Family Treeâ debuted in 1999 on the bandâs album entitled Spin Art. 

The Lennon Family Tree: all the guys are the grandchildren of Herbert Lennon who was born in Wisconsin.  His father John died in his thirties from a heart attack at a community picnic just before the turn of the century.  Herbert was raised by his mother Minnie under the roof of his grandparents, James and Kate Lennon.  Judge James Lennon of Appleton Wisconsin was born in Ireland in 1840 and immigrated in 1849 to America with his parents James and Mary Lennon.  James and Mary would be the great great great grandparents of the guys. 

Kipp Lennon, Lisa Cooke & Pat Lennon - Dec. 2007
(c2007 all rights reserved)

Irish Roots Cafà Podcast

Jimmy Lennon Jr., Mike Tyson &
boxing announcer Jimmy Lennon.

Video:  Adobe Hacienda Video (Live)

Be sure and visit the Venice website! and Venice Page at Genealogy Gems

NEW AT THE BLOG: 

New poll question at The Genealogy Gems News Blog:  Do you listen to the podcast the week it is published?   

THE MAILBOX: 
Follow up to Episode 26 & the Passport Database at Ancestry...Will Haskell told us about his grandfather, Merrill Haskell, traveled to Russia in 1919 in his work as a public accountant for the YMCA. 

 Merrill Haskell's Passport application -
but the woman's photo on the left doesn't match.

 A turn of the page reveals his grandfather!

GEM: itunes GET ALL
When you subscribe in iTunes to the podcast, only the most recent episode will download to your computer or iPod, so be sure to remember to go back to the Genealogy Gems Podcast listing in iTunes and click the GET ALL button so that all of the back episodes will download.  You donât want to miss a thing!   

Gem:  Search Yahoo and Google at the same time with POLYCOLA.COM

GEM: The History of the Christmas Seal - How Our Ancestors Made A Difference!
It's very likely that your great grandparents, grandparents and parents put Christmas Seals on the Christmas cards and packages.  It all started on a stormy December night in 1903 a postman named Einar Holboell was working late in a post office sorting large piles of Christmas mailâ 

Put this stamp with message bright
On every Christmas letter;
Help the tuberculosis fight,
And make the New Year better. 
The American Lung Association . 

Thank you so very much for supporting the podcast! 

iTunes Goal:
Only six more five star reviews to go before we hit 25 for Genealogy Gems by the end of the year!  If you have an iTunes account and are enjoying the podcast, please go to the Genealogy Gems listing in iTunes and leave your positive review now.  Thanks! 

Song: End of a Perfect Day and the Christmas Movie Remember the Night

Exclusive Kodak Gallery Discount: 20% OFF Photo books, Calendars & Cards through Dec. 11, 2007!  Go to the Genealogy Gems Store for more information and to find the link to Kodak Gallery.

Got an iTunes Account?
If you"re enjoying the podcast, Iâd appreciate it if you left a 5 Star positive review at the Genealogy Gems iTunes page.  This link will take you there: Genealogy Gems at iTunes.  Thanks!

NEW:  The Book Has Gone Digital!
Genealogy Gems: Ultimate Research Strategies from Season One of the Genealogy Gems Podcast is now available in a digital download format!  This is a great chance to get the book for just $9.95 and no shipping costs!  Go to http://www.lulu.com/content/1139806

GEM:  U.S. Passport Applications on Ancestry.com
My Genealogy Gems News Blog from December 5, 2007 continued...Not wanting to leave the database empty handed, I decided to search for some of my favorite Hollywood film stars: Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks.   

Lesson 1:  Be sure when you are searching the database to click the NEXT button and check the backside of the application page for a photo.

Douglas Fairbanks & Mary Pickford Passport Photos

Lesson #2:  If your ancestors were servants or employees of those that may have traveled, it would be worth searching for those employers. 

GEM:  The History of Sound Recordings
You know the invention of sound recording was quite a milestone in genealogy if you think about it.  Never before had we had documentation of our ancestors voices.  There is certainly something very special about hearing not just the words, but the tone, and inflections. 

Well, all of this sound recording was made possible by Thomas Edison, who 130 years ago this week .
University of California, Santa Barbara

Book: Innovate Like Edison
A new book by Edisonâs Great Grand-niece Sarah Miller Caldicott  and Michael Gelb. 

The Life of Thomas A. Edison at the Library of Congress
Recorded Sound Reference Center at the Library of Congress

LISA'S 10 GOLDEN RULES
for making your own family history sound recordings.

#1  Get a reliable and affordable method of digital recording.
Free recording/editing software: Audacity

For portable recording you could use a handheld digital recorder, but I like to use my iPod with the Micro Memo Digital Voice Recorder
Using your iPod as a Family History Tool from Episode 22 of the Genealogy Gems Podcast. 

#2 Make A List of Those You Would Like to Interview

#3  Prepare Your Questions Ahead of Time

#4  Keep The Interview Relaxed And Comfortable.

#5  Donât Worry About Getting Everything The First Time

#6  Respect the interviewees wishes

#7  Take The Time To Edit

#8  Make Cataloguing A Priority

#9 Get Written Permission If You Plan On Sharing The Recording

#10 Follow up with a thank you

Genealogy Gems News Blog "What's in a Name?â   

My Facebook Profile:  Lisa at Genealogy Gems.  Make a friend request and then take the Genealogy Gems Quiz.

Check out the genealogy quizzes at FunTrivia.com 

YAHOOOOO - thereâs a genealogy gal on the Genealogy Gems Listener page!  Beth Green answered my call on Episode 30 and emailed a Simpsonized Version of herself.  Check it out at the LISTENERS page. 

GEM:  A Little Help From Your Friends

My Top Three Tips for Tapping into the Strengths of Others: 

Tip #1  Swap brick walls

Try swapping brick walls with another researcher and look them over with a fresh pair of eyes.  I like to think of it as being a cold case detective.   Someone who pulls out an old file and goes over it with a fine tooth comb to see if anythingâs been missed. 

Tip #2 - Assess your weaknesses
Look honestly at your office and your research and make a list of areas where you could improve.  Then set out to find someone in your local genealogical society who has a strength in that area. 

Tip # 3 - Two heads are better than one
Try working alongside a fellow genealogist.  Two heads are always better than one, and having someone that you can share the journey with is a wonderful thing.  There are over 500 genealogy groups on Facebook alone! Or try one of the new genealogy social networking sites that have been popping up lately.  Genealogy Social Networking Websites

GEM: The Library of Congress Webcasts:
Jewish Washington: Scrapbook of an American Community
Presented by Laura Cohen Appelbaum and Wendy Turman of the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington.   

Library's Map Treasures are Highlighted in "Cartographia a book and presentation by Vincent Virga

GEM: Genealogy through the Looking Glass
Iâve enjoyed using childrenâs books for many years to become acquainted with new and sometimes complex subjects.  They are little gems just waiting to help you take on a new area of genealogical research.

For instance, does the subject of DNA still seem a bit foggy to you?  
Try "Genes & DNA" by Richard Walker, and "DNA is Here to Stay" by Fran Balkwill.  

âComing to Canada: Building a new life in a new landâ by Susan Hughes  is a great first timers introduction to the subject.  

The Irish Potato Famine: Irish Immigrants Come to America (1845-1850) by Jeremy Thornton .  âFeed the Children First: Irish memories of the Great Hunger" edited by Mary E. Lyons. 

Juvenile Books can also be a great quick resource for the history of states and countries that you are unfamiliar with and have just discovered your ancestors spent time in.  So when you stumble into new territory, try taking a childâs eye view and perhaps a childâs curiousity as you approach the situation. 

GEM:  Now for a little Pixie Dust
Lab Pixies Google Gadgets 

My Favorites:
LabPixies TV
My del.icio.us
Countdown
Babylon Translation Box
LabPixies Clock
LabPixies Radio
TechBlogs
Flickr Slides

Contact Lisa
Free monthly Genealogy Gems Newsletter

Looking for a great Christmas gift? 
Lisa L. Cooke is the author of
Genealogy Gems: Ultimate Research Strategies
from Season One of the Genealogy Gems Podcast
now available. 

Genealogy Gems News Blog

New videos for you at the Genealogy Gems website:
Genealogy for the next generation: "Family History Research - Child Detectives"
Genealogy Junction
Getting started documents for free download

"Family Tree" & "Circle of Life" by Venice.

A very moving video highlighting a collection of photographs at the Library of Congress' American Memory collection taken by Lewis Hines of child labor in the early 19^th century.   

MAILBOX:

Wreath by creative podcast listener Linda Kvist, Sweden

"The Emigrants" movie review 

Create your own Family History Christmas Wreath by watching the
4 part video how-to series

An email from Beverly Shaw :
(my apology to Beverly - I mistakenly credited her email to Barbara Murphy in the show & didn't catch the error in time)
"I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciated your Candy Bar idea.  Last month my husband's family had a reunion to honor his mother who passed away last year.  I created candy bars for the reunion using your idea.  Since Momma was an avid crocheter, I found a background of a crocheted doily and added 2 different photos that fit the theme.  I designed it so that I could fit 2 on each 8 1/2 x 11 sheet and printed a master copy.  I then took my master to Office Max and had them make 50 copies.  After wrapping a mixture of Hershey Milk Chocolate Bars and Hershey Milk Chocolate with Almond Bars, I filled a basket with the 100 Candy Bars, tied a bow on the basket handle and they were given out as mementos.  I am attaching a picture of the filled basket.  Thank you again. I received many complements."

If you"re looking for stocking stuffer ideas, there's still plenty of time to make the Sweet Memories candy bars which I described in detail in Episode 20  and in my book "Genealogy Gems: Ultimate Research Strategies"

Beverly Shaw's beautiful Swee Memories candy bars

From Barbara Murphy:
The German, Irish and Italian groups of the genealogy societies on Long Island have put together new genealogy databases online. www.theggg.org and www.italiangen.org

Follow up on Google Gadgets:
Email from Meg Baker who developed the wonderful American Memory google gadget that I told you about in Episode 33. 
Meg Baker's Google Gadgets

GEM:  A Thanksgiving Celebration

Thanksgiving at the Library of Congress

What Shall the Harvest Be?

Sowing the seed by the daylight fair,
Sowing the seed by the noonday glare,
Sowing the seed by the fading light,
Sowing the seed in the solemn night:
O what shall the harvest be?
Refrain
Sown in the darkness or sown in the light,
Sown in our weakness or sown in our might,
Gathered in time or eternity,
Sure, ah, sure will the harvest be.
Sowing the seed by the wayside high,
Sowing the seed on the rocks to die.
Sowing the seed where the thorns will spoil,
Sowing the seed in the fertile soil:
O what shall the harvest be?
courtesy of the University of California, Santa Barbara

Sarah Josepha Hale

"OUR NATIONAL THANKSGIVING by Sarah Josepha Hale
We are most happy to agree with the large majority of the governors of the different States -- as shown in their unanimity of action for several past years, and which, we hope, will this year be adopted by all -- that the LAST THURSDAY IN NOVEMBER shall be the DAY Of NATIONAL THANKSGIVING for the American people."

Contact Lisa

Sign up for the free Genealogy Gems E-mail Newletter

The New Genealogy Gems News Blog
Subscribe to the blog by clicking the Google icon on the Blog page

Newsletter:
Subscribe to the free monthly Genealogy Gems email newsletter

IGoogle:
If you haven't created your own genealogy iGoogle homepage just listen to Episode 15 and of course it"s all covered step-by-step in my book Genealogy Gems - Ultimate Research Strategies. 

Upcoming Conference Appearance:
FamilySearch and My Ancestors Found have just announced that they are co-sponsoring the Family History EXPO at the Dixie Convention Center in St. George UT on Feb. 8 & 9 2008.  Iâm very excited to let you know that Iâll be teaching a class on how to use Google for your family history research. 

All of the old Edison recordings on this episode are courtesy of the University of California at Santa Barbara

GEM:  This old dog learned a new trick â or how I got in touch with my own podcast:
Hereâs a new technique for retrieving a past podcast episode and being able to have just that one episode come up on the page. This is great because itâs easier to read through, and you then have a URL address in your browser that you can copy and paste if you want to send it to someone.

Hereâs how to do it:

1. From the Genealogy Gems.TV homepage click the PODCAST button
2. Which will take you to the Podcast show notes page. 
3. Look down the right hand side of the page  and click on the orange RSS button right below the word Syndication.  This opens up a page that gives you all the show notes in a simple text format. 
4. Thereâs a box in the upper right corner called "Displayingâ. 
5. Start typing âiGoogleâ in the box and it will immediately start showing only episode show notes that include that word.
6. Look down the show notes in the results to find the one you want.
7. Click the blue title (ex. âGenealogy Gems Episode 15â) and you will get the complete episode 15 show notes on one podcast page.  At the end of the show notes is the direct download link for episode 15 if you want to listen to the episode or save it to your hard drive.  This is how you can listen from the website ,because the media player, even though it still appears will only play the most recently published episode. 

GEM:  Google Gadget for American Memory:
Hereâs a follow up to the segment on The Library of Congressâ American Memory project from episode 32.   You can now add American Memory to your iGoogle page! 

How to get the American Memory Google Gadget:

1. Go to your iGoogle homepage.
2. Click the link in the upper right corner that says âAdd Stuffâ
3. In the upper right corner is a Search for Gadgets Box.
4. Type in the words âAmerican Memoryâ
5. the American Memory Search gadget will appear
6. Click the âAdd It Nowâ button (it will turn yellow and say âAdded.â)
7. G back to your iGoogle homepage
8. Your new gadget in the upper left corner of your iGoogle page.

GEM:  Genealogy Podfading:
I really appreciate your partnering with me to keep the Genealogy Gems Podcast from podfading as so many others have done.  Christmas is a great time to lend your support.  Our sponsors are established, trusted and secure, and your information is ALWAYS private.  Thank you friends!

GEM:  Silhouettes by Kathryn Flocken:
Hereâs another little blast from the past gem  in Episode 6.  I got an email from Kathryn recently which included a really neat short video about the silhouette work that she does:

Video:

Kathryn Flockens Paper Portraits webpage

Silhouette of genealogy podcaster Lisa Louise Cooke by Kathryn Flocken

GEM:  History of the Census and Its Samples:
There are 2 areas to explore: 

Measuring America: The Decennial Censuses from 1790-2000
It contains a record of all census questions, enumerators instructions, and brief histories of every census.
And...
Histories of Enumeration Procedures for Each Census:
The procedural histories provide detailed information on the collection and processing of each item on the questionnaire. You will learn how enumerators were selected, how they were trained and supervised, and how the public was prepared for the census takerâs visit.

If youâd like to learn more about how the history of the census and a website like this can be of real help to you in your own family research, go to the July 2007 Genealogy Gems newsletter back issue and read the article featuring a listener question that was answered using this history of the census information.   

Email Me with comments and questions

I hope youâre busily working on your Family History Christmas Wreath from episode 32.  There are 4 videos there on the website to walk you through how to do that.  Have fun!

DearMYRTLE Website

Episode 27

  The Mailbox: 

Email From Dave Green:

"Attached (is) a find on ebay. I hadn't thought to look there for family mementos. I typed in the tiny town of Fiat, IN and it came back with a matchbook from the store my grandparents had owned there!  Thanks for the valuable gem.â

Genealogy for the Next Generation

The Genealogy Gems Listener page - see Simpsonized Dave

Email from Judy in Memphis:

Hi, Lisa, a few weeks ago I contacted you and said I was going to do the Sweet Memories candy bars this Christmas. I thought you would enjoy seeing how they turned out! I have only actually put the candy in two to try it out but will wait until closer to Christmas so the candy will be fresh. I used the 3.5 oz Dove Bars, dark chocolate. I will send them to 47  people in the family who will enjoy the candy and hopefully the memories. The front says:  "In Memory of Daddy, (Kenneth) who gave us our love of chocolate and Mother (Mildred) who made all those wonderful desserts. Love, Judy."  The three children on the front are my two sisters and me at Christmas about 1946. The picture on the back is of the same children and our parents, about 1960. I hope they enjoy this little gift. Thanks so much for the idea.

Again, I love the podcast and have gotten a lot of useful information. You make it really fun.

GEM:  Invite Your Ancestors to Christmas - Create A Family History Christmas Wreath

Joy to the World  Edison Records  1906  Courtesy of University of Santa Barbara

This week, I"m very please to be publishing my first Christmas project instructional video sharing with you how to create your own family history Christmas Wreath.  This wreath is so beautiful, and Iâm really excited to have found a way to incorporate more wonderful family photos into our holiday decorations.  Iâve done my best to give you step by step instructions so that you can make your wreath right along with me. 

Watch the four part video which in total runs about 35 minutes - Here's an example:  Part 1

WATCH ALL FOUR EPISODES

I really hope that you will take the time to create this lovely wreath.  I had so much fun making it, and Iâve already gotten oos and ahs from people who have seen it. I guarantee if you invest your love and time into making it, it will be appreciated by everyone who sees it.

And I would love to see your finished projects!  So email me a photo as Judy from Memphis did with her Christmas candy bars.  It would be inspiration for us all!

Genealogy Gems: Ultimate Research Strategies. Thanks to those of you who have bought the book.  You guys are great. 

A special little Halloween hello from Genealogy Gems. 

Sad news:  The This Week's Genealogy Gems Google Gadget has crashed.   However, I will likely create a new custom gadget in the near future so I"ll keep you posted.  To receive the code for the gadget just be sure to sign up for the free Genealogy Gems monthly newsletter because thatâs the email list I use to personally email you the code so you can install it on your iGoogle page.   Newsletter Sign Up & Back issues

The website is evolving every day with new content, so be sure and visit regularly at www.genealogygems.tv  In the Resources section you will find lots of great genealogy research strategies.    Be sure to click on the Google Research Gems Link.  I have a special gadget there that will provide you with a new Google tip every day.  And youâll also find lots of other great tips that weâve talked about to make Google work harder for your genealogy research.

Please do let your research friends and your local genealogy society know about it as a resource for them too, even if they donât listen to the podcast.

Gem:  The Library of Congress

The Irish Jig performed by the National Promenade Band in 1914 for Edison Records courtesy of University of Santa Barbara.

AMERICAN MEMORY

American Memory provides free and open access through the Internet to over 9 million items of written and spoken words, sound recordings, still and moving images, prints, maps, and sheet music that document the American experience. These materials chronicle historical events, people, places, and ideas that continue to shape America.

Browse American Memory

1. Advertising 1850-1920
2. Architecture and Interior Design 1935-1955
3. Baseball Cards 1887-1914
4. Broadsides and Printed Ephemera 1600-2000
5. Chicago Daily News - Photographs 1902-1933
6. 7 different Civil War collections with many, many photographs
7. Daguerreotype Photographs 1839-1864
8. Depression Era to World War II FSA/OWI Photographs 1935-1945
9. Film, Animated 1900-1921
10. There are several Folk Music Collections
11. Great Plains Photographs 1880-1920
12. Maps and Cartographic Items 1500-Present
13. New York City Films 1898-1906
14. Nineteenth-Century Books 1850-1877
15. Nineteenth-Century Periodicals 1815-1900
16. Ohio River Valley 1750-1820
17. Panoramic Photographs 1851-1991
18. Pearl Harbor and Public Reactions Audio Interviews 1941-1942
19. Posters, WPA 1936-1943
20. Prairie Settlement, Nebraska Photographs and Letters 1862-1912
21. Railroads Maps 1828-1900
22. Revolutionary Era Maps 1750-1789
23. San Francisco and 1906 Earthquake Films 1897-1916
24. Sheet Music 1820-1860 & 1870-1885
25. Slave Narratives Audio Interviews 1932-1975
26. Small Town Life, Mid-Atlantic Stereoscopic Photographs ~ 1850-1920
27. Southern U.S. Personal Narratives 1860-1920
28. Traveling in America Books ca. 1750-1920
29. Turn-of-the-Century America Detroit Publishing Company Photographs 1880-1920
30. Upper Midwest Books ca. 1820-1910
31. Utah and Western Migration 1846-1869
32. American Variety Stage - Vaudeville  1870-1920
33. Western U.S. Photographs 1860-1920
34. World War I Military Newspapers 1918-1919
35. World War I Rotogravures 1914-1919
36. World War II Maps Military Situation Maps 1944-1945

Some of my other favorite areas of the Collections and Programs are:

1. The VETERANS HISTORY PROJECT
2. The NATIONAL DIGITAL NEWSPAPER PROGRAM
3. CHRONICALING AMERICA â HISTORIC AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS
4. The PRINTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS ONLINE CATALOG

Prints & Photos LOC online database: 

1. 20s Fads
2. Ellis Island prints & photos
3. WWII women working
4. Civil War Soldiers
5. Entertainment
6. Americana

LOC WEBCASTS

Start by browsing the Biography and History listings.

The library website also offers RSS feeds and email Subscriptions on a variety of subjects.

The future: the library just signed a World Digital Library Agreement with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization pledging cooperative efforts to build a World Digital Library website. 

World Digital Library at the Worlddigitallibrary.org.  Video

GEM:  Genealogy for the Next Generation

To get the attention of the next generation for genealogy I Simposonized myself.

Genealogy for the Next Generation at Genealogy Gems. 

Simpsonize Me!     Itâs totally free, and really fun.

Calling all Ladies:  Notice a trend on the Genealogy Gems Listener Page?  Only men have sent in photos!  Come on ladies, you need to be represented!  Email a photo of yourself listening to the podcast on your ipod or computer, or holding up something that you've found since listening to the podcast, or both. 

Website News:  New this week you will find a search box on the left side of the Genealogy Gems homepage under the navigation menu.  I hope that you will use it and find it helpful in getting to where you want to go. 

GEM: Interview with Ali Selim, Director of "Sweet Landâ

In episode 29 I told you about a wonderful movie that I saw recently called Sweet Land. It's a film about Norwegian immigrants in rural Minnesota following WWI.  I feel so passionate about it not only because itâs about family history, but because itâs such a rare thing to find a gem like this that you can watch with your entire family.

Aliâs Grandparents William and Sophie Niemeier of Minnesota.

This week I had a chance to talk to Ali Selim, award-winning director of Sweet Land, and we chatted about his immigrant parents, the power of memories and some of the terrific actors that he features in the film. 

Ali Selim, Director

When you're done listening to the audio podcast, you can watch the Videocast below.  Just double click on the Play button.

 More "SWEET LAND" film clips

Sweet Land is a story about family history, focusing on Norwegian immigrants in Minnesota circa 1920.  If you love historical fiction, and quiet thoughtful movies that you can watch with your entire family, then this is the videocast for you.  Sweet Land is available on DVD, and the beautiful nostalic music soundtrack is available through .  Take it from your friend, you'll love it.

P.S. Rather read?  Try Sweet Land: New & Selected Stories

GEM: Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation

I had the opportunity to talk with Anna Swayne of the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation recently.  Listen as we walk through this emerging area of genealogy step-by-step and get a solid overview of how DNA testing can assist us in our family history research. 

Suggested Reading:
Trace Your Roots with DNA: Use Your DNA to Complete Your Family Tree   by Megan Smolenyak & Ann Turner

DNA & Genealogy by Colleen Fitzpatrick 

USA TODAY article - SMGF's founder, James LeVoy Sorenson, was featured in a USA Today article in June. The article focuses on Mr. Sorenson's work in genetic genealogy as well as his other companies. 

Free Genealogy Gems Newsletter: Send an email with your name, state or country and how you heard about the podcast, and I'll get the Oct issue out to you right away, and you"ll be all set to receive each monthly issue. 

Check out whatâs new at the Genealogy Gems Website

   Get Lisaâs new book:  Genealogy Gems:  Ultimate Research Strategies from Season One of the Genealogy Gems Podcast.  Packed with step-by-step instructions for everything covered in the first 20 episodes, and much more!

The first Genealogy Gems videocast was published last week: The Socks to America.  It's available through iTunes where you can download it to your video iPod.

Now's the time to subscribe to the FREE Genealogy Gems Podcast Newsletter!

Logitech Webcam Not only can you send video emails super quick and easy, but you can select one of their animated characters that you supply the voice for.

Anytime you access Amazon through the links on my website and purchase any item on the Amazon site, you are supporting this podcast which I really appreciate!  Thanks to you guys I was able this week to double my podcast storage space which means I can create longer podcasts and also publish videocasts for you.  I hope you'll keep this in mind as we approach the holidays and you start doing your Christmas shopping.  It's because of you that the Genealogy Gems Podcast, website and videocasts are possible.  Thank you! 

GEM:   GENEALOGY "COLD CALLSâ

My Lady of the Telephone was performed by Joseph A. Phillips and chorus for Edison Records in 1915   

Interview with Carolyn Ender from Texas who has conducted dozens of cold call research calls. 

1) Identify the person you want to call 

2) Locate the Person's Phone Number 

Anywho.com 
People.yahoo.com 
Google.com 

3) Plan ahead  

Consider recording the conversation
Consider getting a hands free phone  
Consider time zones.  
Choose a time when you are not rushed 
Briefly review the family you are researching  
Make note of specific questions you would like to ask. 
Have your genealogy software program open   

4) Get up the ânerveâ to call  - Be prepared.  Say to yourself:  âI can do this.  This is importantâ.  Remember, all they can do is say âno thank youâ 

5) Introduce Yourself  -   Immediately identify yourself with first & last name & town.  Indicate any family connection. Indicate who referred you to them.

6) Where to Begin  - Talk about the family line you are researching  
Explain how you thought you might be related. 

7) Reluctant Relatives  -  Share what youâve learned.  Share your own memories of a shared relative.   Mention something of particular interest in the family tree that might pique their interest.   Offer to mail them some information and call again once theyâve had a chance to look at it. 

8) During the Call  - Take notes during the phone call.  Confirm information that you already have

9) When Thereâs No Answer  - Leave a voice mail your name, number, why youâre calling,   & offer to call back. 

10) âMust Askâ Questions 

1.             Mailing address 
2.             Their birthdate 
3.             Family photos, bible, documents? Copies only of cou