Minnesota, George G. Morgan and the Rough Riders

Labor Day weekend is fast approaching and vacation plans are in place. I am preparing for a trip to Minnesota to spend a long weekend on Lake Mille Lacs with Chuck's family. While the family is busy playing cards, corn toss and cruising the lake I plan on kicking back with my fully loaded Kindle.

I hope everyone has a great weekend, but if you decide to do some research, here are this week's tips, with a Minnesota twist.

Sunday August 28
* Have an Minnesota Ancestor with a 'checkered' past? The Minnesota Historical Society can help you access their prison records.
* To obtain information about Prison Records visit: The Minnesota Historical Society

Monday August 29
* South Dakota was a part of Minnesota until Minnesota became a state in 1858.

Tuesday August 30
* Cemetery Tip - Once you find an ancestor's grave it is important to record everyone in the family plot whether you think they are related or not.
* Record the names of the graves near by - sisters, brothers, or cousins may have bought plots near each other.

Wednesday August 31
* Looking for an out of print book? Check the following sites:
* Amazon.com
* Abesbook.com
* Alibris
* World Cat

Thursday September 1
* A Brief History of the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry - aka Rough Riders. The site contains a rooster, biographies and more.
* Visit: The Rough Riders Website
* The Rough Riders - A Public Domain Book

Friday September 2
* Genealogy Books - Quicksheet Citing Online Historical Resources - Elizabeth Shown Mills

Saturday September 3
* Attend a State or Local Genealogy Conference!
* Minnesota Genealogical Society Presents the 4th Annual North Star Conference Featuring: George G. Morgan, International Speaker, half of the Genealogy Guys Podcast and author of How to Do Everything: Genealogy and the first two editions of The Official Guide to Ancestry


The picture below is Chuck and his younger brother Billy with some fish they caught! I hope everyone has a safe Labor Day weekend!

Take Care,
Pattie

Take a Break with The Genealogy Guys

Sometimes genealogy research can be overwhelming. There are so many websites to visit, sources to cite and county histories to read you just need to take a break.

Meet the 'Guys'

My favorite genealogy break is The Genealogy Guys Podcast. George G. Morgan and Drew Smith are nationally recognized genealogists who speak at conventions and seminars around the country. The have authored many genealogy books and have served on boards of local, state and national societies.

But none of these are the reasons I listen to the podcasts. Why do I listen to the podcasts? I listen because they take complicated genealogy topics and explain them without talking down to their audience. And they make me smile.

George and Drew make me feel like I am sitting in their living room having a leisurely visit while they talk about the latest genealogy news, answer questions from listeners/friends and try to keep their cats at bay. The best part is I always learn something new.

I like to download the podcasts onto cds so I can listen to them during my hour drive to work. Others subscribe via RSS feed or iTunes. Some new listeners download ALL the podcasts and listen to them in order. That is dedication since the first podcast was September 25, 2005!

The best thing is that they are just as personable and friendly in person as they are on the podcast. Take a break and enjoys a visit with The Genealogy Guys.

Take Care,
Pattie

Books from Amazon by George G. Morgan and Drew Smith

Social Networking for Genealogists

How to Do Everything Genealogy

Your Family Reunion: How to Plan It, Organize It, and Enjoy It

The Official Guide to Ancestry.com