Classes For Genealogy Buffs Are Beginning Fall Sessions

Fall is fast approaching and for the genealogy community, that means classes will be popping up throughout the area. Here is a sampling:

Life Writing Classes: This is a timely offering for readers who responded eagerly to my summer columns about writing journals. The class, consisting of eight Friday sessions, will begin Sept. 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the SouthShore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin. There is no fee, but registration is required. You can register by calling the library at (813) 273-3652 and asking for the SouthShore Regional reference desk. Joan Shalleck will teach the class.

Jewish Genealogical Society: This group's first meeting for the new season will be Sept. 14. Bill Israel will present a program on "Historic Synagogues of Budapest and Bucharest." The program will include a video travel journal made by Israel and his wife on a recent journey to Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania. The meeting will begin at 2 p.m. at the Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services Center, 14041 Icot Blvd., Clearwater. It is open to anyone interested in Jewish genealogical research. For information on the society or directions to the meeting, call Sally Israel at (727) 343-1652. There is no charge for the society's meetings.

South Bay Genealogical Society: Elmer Spear will open the fall schedule with his program "Elmer's Genealogy Library" on Sept. 16 at the SouthShore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin. This event will begin with a luncheon at noon followed by the program at 1 p.m. Cost for the lunch and lecture is $12. Reservations are required by Sept. 9 and can be made by sending a check to SBGS, P.O. Box 5202, Sun City Center. If you have registration questions, call Rose Huggard at (813) 633-0868.

Civil War Book

Several weeks ago, I mentioned the "Atlas to Accompany the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies" and that it is available through Barnes & Noble. Actually, the book available through Barnes & Noble has been retitled "The Official Military Atlas of the Civil War." It is so popular that it is out of stock. You can purchase a used copy through Barnes & Noble ( www.barnesandnoble.com) at prices ranging from $15 to more than $200. Obviously, it pays to shop around. Amazon ( www.amazon.com) also has new and used copies of the book.

Since writing that article, I also have discovered maps from the book are online at http://ehistory.osu.edu/osu/sources/records as part of the "The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies." Click on "atlas."

Some of you, like me, might enjoy pouring over printed maps, but the digitized ones are nice for a quick reference.

State Research Books

If your research takes you to any of the following states, you'll benefit from purchasing one of the books from the "Research in the States" series published by the National Genealogical society. Books are available for Arkansas, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The size of the books varies but averages about 42 pages. Each book is available as a PDF file that you can download from the web site. Downloads are $8 for members and $10 for nonmembers. You also can order print versions of the books, which cost from $6.20 to $14.50 each. The bookstore is at www.ngsgenealogy.org/BookStore.

Summer Photo Tips

Many of you use the summer months to visit cemeteries and explore old family home sites. Renowned photo detective Maureen Taylor, writing in the July 6 Ancestry Weekly Journal, cautions about condensation that can form on your digital camera when you go from air-conditioning into the humid outdoors. She suggests you let your camera adjust before you take pictures or try tucking a little packet of silica gel into your camera case. This is good advice for us Floridians in any season. Maureen recommends www.digicamhelp .com for camera care tips.

Cook County Records Online

If your family hails from the Chicago area, you now can check digital indexes for birth records over 75 years old, marriage licenses over 50 years old, and death certificates over 20 years old. They are available through the Genealogy Unit of the Cook County Clerk's Bureau of Vital Records at www.cookcounty genealogy.com/Default.aspx. Only the indexes are free. If you find the name you want, you must pay $15 per document to view it.