Surname Saturday: The Birth and Baptism of Florentine Mathilde Braun

Birth and Baptism of Florentina Mathilde Braun (1814-1891)

Today's Surname Saturday post is about one of those good news/bad news genealogy days. Good: there's a baptismal record for my great-great grandmother and she has a twin sister; bad: the village pastor had handwriting that strongly resembles a chicken on acid who ran through an inkwell before it made a break for freedom running across the pages of the parish register.

Here's what I learned about Frederica Ida & Florentina Mathilde BRAUN:

[Entry No.] 280. 29 December [1814]
Twin 1  Friederica Ida
Born on the 7th of the same [month]

[Entry No.] 281. Ditto
Twin 2
Florentina Mathilde
Born on the 7th of the same [month]

Father:   [Carl] Heinrich BRAUN, merchant
Mother:  Joh[anna] Juliana née TRENKLER

The Trenklers lived in Rawitsch for many generations and are relatively easy to find, the Brauns less so, and the Kirschsteins are practically non-existent. I'm starting to think Florentina's husband, Friedrich Kirschstein, was born somewhere other than Rawitsch.

If it were easy, it wouldn't be fun, right?

Follow Friday – BehindtheName.com

Today's Follow Friday is a Web site called Behind the Name.com that provides insight into the first names in your family tree. They have a search interface for a database that ranks the popularity of given names for the past 100+ years for a host of countries, including the United States, Great Britain, Norway, Belgium, Hungary, Sweden, and Spain. 

This site is a lot of fun – even if your tree is littered with dozens of George and Mary and Anna and Lars given names like mine is.

Archives News – National Archives Audit

First of the three-page patent application #821,393, dated May 21, 1903, submitted by Orville and Wilbur Wright to the U.S. Patent Office for their Flying Machine. (AP Photo/National Archives and Records Administration)

An AP wire story reported Tuesday that 80 percent of federal agencies are at risk of illegally destroying historical documents and the National Archives has an enormous backlog of materials in need of processing and preservation.

This isn't exactly a newsflash to those in the archival profession. And while the reportage on the GAO audit cast in is rather alarming, I think it's worth it if it provides some visibility to the issues facing the National Archives.  

Because tucked away in that article is the figure the National Archives has each year for operating 44 facilities, including 13 presidential libraries: $470 million. And that very tiny number – especially when you consider the volume of material plus the new records being created every day – goes a long way in explaining some of those problems. 

The GAO recommends the Archives boost its inspections of agencies, improve internal management, streamline hiring and enhance security. 

I hope they also recommended an increased appropriation make this happen. It isn't like the archivists don't know what to do. Most of the time, they just don't have the resources to get it done.

Tuesday's Tip – BackUpMyTree.com

How great is this? I just found a free Web site that will back up your family tree data file automatically* and store the file remotely for you. 

Not only will you have your data preserved in the event of hardware failure or disaster, but you can also access your tree from anywhere using their cloud computing capability. Your data is safe via SSL encryption. And you can even store successive versions of your tree. (Those of you who have attended my organizing presentation know I start with a fresh family tree file every day I do research.) Now I can store them all remotely with this service. They've been live for about six weeks.

Visit https://www.backupmytree.com/features for more information.

*If you're using a Windows computer. If you're on a Mac, you have to manually upload your Reunion data file. So please, backupmytree.com, let's get Macs that automatic capability and soon!

Follow Friday – Genealogy Gems and Linda Louise Cooke

Those of you who are experienced genealogists are undoubtedly well acquainted with Lisa Louise Cooke and her very popular Genealogy Gems podcasts, available via iTunes, at her Web site www.genealogygemspodcast.com, and her tv channel http://genealogygems.tv.

Lisa invited me to join her for an interview while we both were at the Family History Expo in Pleasanton. We had a lot of fun talking about hidden genealogical resources in libraries and archives. The podcast is episode #56 and has been published at Lisa's premium site at www.genealogygemspremium.com. 

 

Lisa has generously extended a discount for Premium Membership to Sassy Jane Genealogy readers. Use coupon code SAVE20 for 20 percent off the annual $29.95 membership fee. The handout from my "Think Like an Archivist" presentation is also up on her show notes under episode 56.

You can also keep up with Lisa at her blog: Genealogy Gems News.

"A Trip Down Market Street" – An Iconic San Francisco Film from 1906 Reappraised

"A Trip Down Market Street" – an eight-minute-long short film taken on Market Street in San Francisco –  has been viewed millions of times. This slice-of-life short film was thought for years to have been taken in September of 1905. But film historian David Kiehn, who oversees the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum in Fremont, did some good old-fashioned research. He has determined that the film was probably taken just a week before the catastrophic earthquake and fire in April 1906 changed the city forever. 

One of the big clues were the license plates on the vehicles in the film – a photo-dating strategy practiced by genealogists. 

The film was a valuable piece of social history before this discovery and now, knowing that many of people and buildings captured in the film were gone a week later, it has a special poignancy.

If you missed this story on Sixty Minutes," you can watch it here.

Wisdom Wednesday: Deed of Gift

Last week we talked about how and where to donate your family's original papers. This week I want to talk about specific points in a deed of gift. The deed of gift is a legal contract and as such has clauses that outline the rights and responsibilities of both the donor and the recipient.

The archivist for the institution should be able to supply you with a basic document similar to this sample deed:

DEED OF GIFT

SURNAME Papers

to the

RECIPIENT ARCHIVES

1.    Subject to the terms, conditions, and restrictions hereinafter set forth, I,(name of donor),(hereinafter referred to as the Donor), hereby irrevocably give, donate and convey to the RECIPIENT INSTITUTION for deposit in the (name of department), the papers and other historical materials (hereinafter referred to as the Materials) which are described in Appendix A, attached hereto.

2.    Legal ownership, title, and all rights to the Materials shall pass to the RECIPIENT INSTITUTION. Donor acknowledges that upon execution of this Deed of Gift, the Materials irrevocably become the property of RECIPIENT INSTITUTION.

3.    The Donor and her family shall be permitted freely to examine any of the Materials during the regular working hours of the (name of department) after the collection has been processed.

4.    Subject to the restrictions imposed herein, any of the Materials that are determined to have no permanent value by (name of department) staff will be ___discarded (or) ___returned to the Donor.

5.    In the event that the RECIPIENT INSTITUTION or its successor cannot or will no longer administer the preservation and use of the Materials, they will then be returned to the Donor, or at the Donor's request, a suitable institution will be located and a transfer effected.

6.    Credit for the display in exhibitions or the reproduction in print or electronic media shall be required and shall read: "SURNAME Papers, name of department, RECIPIENT INSTITUTION."

7.    By execution of this Deed of Gift, Donor expressly represents and warrants to RECIPIENT INSTITUTION that he or she is the sole lawful owner of title to the Property. Donor further represents that the Property is free and clear from any and all encumbrances, that there has been no prior pledge, option or gift of any part thereof to any person, and that Donor has the right to give or transfer the Property.

8.    The Internal Revenue Service has determined that RECIPIENT INSTITUTION is organized and operated exclusively for educational purposes and is exempt from federal income tax pursuant to Sections 501(a) and (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. does not advise donors on tax matters and suggests that Donor direct any questions regarding donations as charitable contributions to Donor’s tax advisor or an office of the Internal Revenue Service. RECIPIENT INSTITUTION does not appraise donations but will make the Property available for appraisal upon the request of Donor.

9.    Loan of Materials from the collection shall be at the discretion of the (director of department).

10.    In the event that the Donor may from time to time hereafter give, donate and convey to the RECIPIENT INSTITUTION as a gift to the (name of department), additional papers and other historical materials, title is given over to the RECIPIENT INSTITUTION, and all of the foregoing provisions of this Deed of Gift shall be applicable to such additional papers and other historical materials. A description of the additional papers and other historical materials so donated and delivered shall be prepared and attached hereto as successively numbered appendices.

Signature of the Donor:    _________________________________

Date:    _______________________________________________

Name (print): __________________________________________
Telephone:    ___________________________________________
Street Address: _________________________________________
City/State/Zip: _________________________________________
E-mail address: _________________________________________


The foregoing gift from the Donor is accepted on behalf of the RECIPIENT INSTITUTION subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions hereinbefore set forth.

Signature for the

Name (print): __________________________________________

Date:____________________

APPENDIX A – Date Donated
Description of general contents and size of collection

Photos
Oversized prints
Motion Pictures
Business records
Travel records
Personal papers
Diaries/appointment books

APPENDIX B - Date Donated
Description of general contents and size of collection

Clauses 1 and 2 convey the ownership and legal rights, including copyright, from the donor to the archives.

Clause 3 insures reasonable access for the donor.

Clause 4 gives the archives latitude to discard or return materials that don't meet collecting policy. An example would be a collection of Abraham Lincoln letters that was donated to an archives. The donor's family also boxed up 20 years of newsletters from a lawn-care company. Lincoln we  cared about, the lawns, not so much.

Clause 5 determines what happens to the collection if the recipient is no longer able to care for the collection. This is a rare but necessary provision that protects both donor and recipient.

Clauses 6 and 9 cover use of the collections.

Clauses 7 and 8 clarify that the donor owns the collection and can convey rights and that the donation is a charitable one.

Clause 10 provides for additional donations without having to renegotiate the terms of the gift.

If you have other concerns about the donation of your family's papers, discuss them with the archivist and when agreement is reached, add the new terms to the deed.

Follow Friday – ProQuest Obituaries Database

Today's Follow Friday is about ProQuest Obituaries, a commercial database that has revolutionized my research for the parts of my family tree from the early- and mid-20th century.
 
ProQuest Obituaries provides more than 10 million obituaries and death notices in full-image format from the following newspapers:

•    Atlanta Constitution 
(1868-1922)
•    Boston Globe
 (1872-1922)
•    Chicago Defender
 (1921-1975)
•    Chicago Tribune
 (1852-1984)
•    Los Angeles Times
 (1881-1984)
•    New York Times 
(1851-1994)
•    Washington Post 
(1877-1950)
 
Other newspaper databases that cover whole issues, which often deliver mixed search results. ProQuest Obituaries delivers only obituaries and death notices in full-page format. The search interface is flexible and the results are stellar.

If you have ancestors in any of the cities listed above, ProQuest Obituaries can make a remarkable difference in your research. I’ve found or confirmed 228 people, mostly with hits from the Chicago Tribune. Most of my hits have been paid death notices, but there are a few obituaries and most of those have had photographs as well. 

Where can you get access to this database? The ProQuest business model is to market to libraries rather than individuals. (And I think this is kinda crazy: I'd pay to access this database from home.) So check your local public library or genealogical society library to see if they have a license to ProQuest Obituaries database and give it a try.

Wisdom Wednesday: Top Ten Considerations for Donating Your Family Papers

My two sessions at the California Family History Expo were filled with interested and enthusiastic genealogists who asked excellent questions. Questions about deeds of gift for donating family heirlooms, scanning and file names, file structure, copyright, and access to archives deserved more time than I could give in a session, so I’ll try to expand my answers here in the next few weeks.

And so today's Wisdom Wednesday is about the top ten things to consider when donating your family heirlooms (papers, photographs, and other primary sources) to a library or archives.

1. Make sure you are ready emotionally to give your materials away. A donation is a legal transaction that conveys all rights to the materials to the recipient.

2. Be prepared to donate your original materials. Few archives welcome photocopies or printouts.

3. Find the right institution. If you have a obvious choice of institution because of geography or subject matter or other natural connection, contact the institution directly to determine their interest.

4. If you're not sure where your family collection should go, contact the Special Collections at the nearest university. Describe your collection and ask for their assistance in locating an archives that would welcome your collection.

5. Never bundle your materials up and send them without contacting the institution first.

6. Most archives do not have budgets for acquisitions. The archives, by accepting your collection, is agreeing to preserve, house, arrange, and provide researcher access – actions that require a significant ongoing financial commitment on their part. In exchange, you (generally) are donating your family materials rather than selling them.

7. If the recipient is a non-profit institution, you should be able to take a charitable donation. It is a conflict of interest to have the recipient provide an appraisal or valuation of your gift, however. A qualified appraiser is the best choice. (Please consult a professional tax advisor about your gift as IRS reporting regulations have tightened recently. Indiana University has an excellent guide to valuation, appraisals and  and substantiation here.)

8. Ask to see a copy of the standard Deed of Gift at the institution and talk to the archivist about the terms that are important to you before you sign.

9. Look for clauses that deal with succession, or what becomes of your collection if the recipient can no longer maintain it.

10. Discuss with the archivist any materials that may need to be sealed, but do not expect to have the materials withheld for a long period of time without legal justification.

Next week: a sample deed of gift.

Sassy Jane and Day Two of the California Family History Expo

Today's session at the California Family History Expo is Think Like an Archivist, scheduled for 2:30 pm, which offers tips for accessing hidden genealogical resources in library and archival collections worldwide. Feel free to comment or ask questions using the comment button below.

California Family History Expo Starts Today!

I'm setting up this entry for questions or comments on my first session today at the California Family History Expo entitled "Organize Your Genealogical Research." 

In the session, I talk about the strategies archivists use to process collections to help you organize your genealogical research, including sharing the Top Ten Things Archivists Can Teach Us about organizing. 

Some of what I have to say may be contrary to conventional organizing wisdom, so feel free to respond using the comment button at the bottom of this entry.

Wisdom Wednesday: Using WorldCat, the World's Largest Library Catalog

Today’s Wisdom Wednesday is about WorldCat.org, a union catalog of libraries all over the world that catalog their collections using OCLC, the bibliographic network utility. WorldCat used to be available only to libraries who use OCLC, but they've opened up the database to everyone in the last few years. 

When I first started out working as a professional librarian (roughly the same time the earth’s crust was cooling), reference works were only available in print. It seems a trifle unbelievable now, but renowned libraries made their 3x5 card catalogs available to specialty publishers, who in turn made a handsome living printing gigantic multi-volume sets of copies of those card catalogs. If your library wasn’t distinguished enough to warrant a published card catalog, you had to either go or call the library to see if they owned the book you wanted.
 

The holy grail for many libraries, especially those in geographic consortia, was the union catalog, libraryspeak for a combined library catalog describing the collections of multiple libraries. Union catalogs were published in book format, like the ones mentioned above, and on microform. Begun in the 1950s, the granddaddy of print union catalogs is the National Union Catalog (NUC), a printed catalog of books held by the Library of Congress and other significant American and Canadian research libraries. The advent of networked electronic databases made the union catalog much easier to produce and deliver.
 

And that brings us back to WorldCat with 1.5 billion records, making it the largest library catalog ever. They've improved their public search interface and now it's quite lovely:

Here's what the professional librarian's search interface looks like:

No contest, right? :D 

The primary way I use WorldCat for genealogical research is to locate libraries with copies of privately published family histories. Where WorldCat really shines is in their search results window. Below is a screenshot of the search results for Rose Mary Goodwin’s 1983 privately published history of my husband’s Curtis line, entitled A Family Called Curtis. 

As you can seen WorldCat helpfully orders the search results by location, providing a list of libraries that hold the title and how far they are from my home. (And don't forget you can double-click on any image in my blog to get a separate, larger view of the image.)

One thing to remember with WorldCat, however, is that it contains bibliographic records primarily from professionally managed libraries. Local genealogical and historical societies probably haven’t cataloged their collections through OCLC, so their holdings don’t show up in WorldCat. The library of the Southern California Genealogical Society in Burbank also has a copy of Goodwin’s Curtis book, for example, even though it’s not in WorldCat. So consider WorldCat your first library catalog of choice, but don’t forget to check local collections as well.

And that's today's Wisdom Wednesday.

Archives News: In Bing Crosby’s Wine Cellar, Vintage Baseball

I love stories like this. One of the greatest baseball games ever played – the deciding game of the 1960 World Series – was thought to be lost because the broadcasters routinely destroyed or rerecorded over old game tapes. 

But it seems that Bing Crosby hired a company to record the 1960 Game 7 by kinescope, the best process available at the time, consisting of filming off a television monitor. Crosby was too nervous to watch the game as it was being played, so the tapes were made. Crosby watched them and then they were put in his wine cellar. The five-reel set, found in December in Crosby’s home, is the only known complete copy of the game. The MLB archivist must be transported with happiness. Read more about it here.

And the moral for genealogists is that those family records and photographs are out there. Sometimes it just takes some serendipity like this.

October is American Archives Month

October is American Archives Month and archives all around the country are celebrating. Here's a hyperlinked list of events and exhibitions at an archives near you:

California Archives Month
 
Council of State Archivists

GLBT History Month – 31 Days, 31 Icons
 
Georgia Archives Month - Travel Back in Time
 
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency – Conference on Illinois History
 
Indiana Archives Month
 
Los Angeles Archives Bazaar – 23 October
 
Kentucky Archives Month
 
Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference – Making Connections: Archives and Imagination
 
Oregon Archives Month

Society of American Archivists – I Found It At the Archives

Society of Tennessee Archivists
 
Smithsonian Archives Fair – 22 October

South Dakota State Historical Society – Close Encounters with History

Utah Archives Month – Saving Utah's Heritage

Washington State Digital Archives – Hard Times: Struggles, Setbacks, and Recovery in Washington
 
Wisconsin Archives Month – Wisconsin State Historical Society