Weekly Picks

Weekly Picks for November 15 - 21

Tracing the Tribe writes about the Historical Jewish Press database (database). Currently eleven newspapers, from France, Morocco, Egypt, Poland/Austria/Prussia, and Palestine/Israel. Mostly the newspapers are in French or Hebrew, and can only be searched in those languages. There is one English newspaper.

Olive Tree Genealogy discusses how Naturalization Records can help you find the ship your ancestor came over on.

Granite in my Blood displays both the front and back of William Bradford's obelisk. He was the governor of Plymouth Colony from 1621-1657. His tombstone contains the only Hebrew inscription I have seen that includes vowels (or niqqud).

Dear Myrtle provided a Docu-Challenge where readers had to write in how they would describe, and further research a document she shared. She then shared the feedback she received.

Genea-Musings has a post on how to use the DAR's new Genealogical Research System. I confirmed I have Van Every, Swayze, and Horton cousins in their databases, but no direct ancestors. My ancestors weren't about to commit treason, or perform terrorist acts. Nosirree.

GenealogyBlog reports the news that a New Zealand antiques dealer is claiming he's the rightful heir to the British castle used in the Harry Potter films. The antiques dealer is asking that two graves be dug up to prove this claim using DNA from the remains.

Relatively Curious about Genealogy has an entry on Finding family stories in online digitized books. She provides links to several digital libraries. I have found several items of note in a similar fashion.

The Missouri State Genealogical Association is conducting an interview project of WWII veterans.

Shades of the Departed discusses the advertisement for a horrific device photographers once used.

Digitization 101 has an article on Authority and Trust with respect to bloggers.

Kick-Ass Genealogy provides tips on how to interview relatives through email.

Bayside Blog provides the useful reminder that obituaries often contain mistakes.

Google has released Google Image Swirl, which provides a technique within Google Images to find similar images.

In Frederick, Maryland, a plaque is being added to a statue of Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney, who wrote the Dred Scott decision, a catalyst for the civil war.

In Joplin, Missouri, an abandoned pet cemetery is being restored, and a memorial is being created at a civil war battle site.

And getting into the holiday spirit, here's a list of 116 Chanukah videos on YouTube. (hat/tip: Tracing the Tribe) I'm kind of surprised the list doesn't yet contain a version of Peter, Paul and Mary's "Light One Candle." Here's a video of Peter Yarrow performing it with the 'help' of a crowd back in 2007, in St. Louis.