Family History Expo 2008 Video Premiere:
I'll be there doing my presentation "Google: A Goldmine of Genealogy Gemsâ? at 4:30pm on Friday Feb 8, 2008 at the conference.  I hope that you"ll take a moment to stop by my booth in the Exhibit Hall to introduce yourself and say âhiâ?!  

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

SHOW NOTES

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

Episode 35 Show Notes 

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. 

EPISODE 34 SHOW NOTES:

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

Episode 33 Show Notes

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.  I'm 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. There's a box in the upper right corner called "Displaying?." 
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 Congress 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 Add Stuff
3. In the upper right corner is a Search for Gadgets Box.
4. Type in the words American Memory
5. the American Memory Search gadget will appear
6. Click the Add It Now button (it will turn yellow and say Added.)
7. Go 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!

Episode 32 Show Notes
Listener Mailbox, and Invite Your Ancestors to Christmas! 

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!

EPISODE 31 SHOW NOTES

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.

SHOW NOTES for Episode 30
October 21, 2007 

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 Land?

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 it's 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

Video Cast: An interview with the award-winning director of the film Sweet Land, Ali Selim.  

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

Episode 29 SHOW NOTES

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 what's new at the Genealogy Gems Website

   Get Lisa's 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!