Saturday Challenge: Collections

I finally finished writing this Saturday challenge from GeneaMusings from back in November: Your mission this week, should you decide to accept it (cue the Mission Impossible music!), is to:

1)   Most of us collect dead ancestors and relatives now - what did you collect when you were a child or teenager?

2)  Tell us about your collections in a blog post of your own, in a comment to this blog post, or in a Facebook post.  Please leave a comment with a link to your post.

My shelves aren't this organized!

During my childhood I collected many different items as most kids do. Many of the collections have no rhyme or reason to them.

I collected Barbie dolls, usually the off-brand equivalents that I could con Mom into buying for me along with an extensive wardrobe. Other toys over the years were collected as well.

As I got older, the collections turned towards books. I have loved books at least since I learned to read. Some of the shorter books I might devour in a day. I used the school library during the school year, but never the public library. I had an idea that I couldn’t use them, as there were none close around us. The Auburn library was, of course, for the city of Auburn and we lived out in the country away from there. I even have a vague memory that she told me (incorrectly) that the Powers Library in Moravia was for the village only. It seems odd, since Mom used the library extensively as a child, but she never introduced me to the fact that there was a public library nearby that I could use besides the school’s library.

I also hated to get rid of books after I’d read them. They had quickly become friends of mine and I liked to dip back into them from time to time. I would often re-read them several times over until I had certain passages memorized. Even if I didn’t re-read the entire book, I might read a passage or two or a chapter before I put it back on the shelf. This became a bit problematic at one time. Mom told me that I could only keep as many books as fit into the bookcase in my room. Dad, ever an enabler, would keep buying me more regardless. After a little thought, I had my solution. As I was a teenager by then, Mom didn’t clean my room, but left it to my responsibility. The bookcase would be nearly filled, but never quite full. Under the bed, in my dresser, and other places, however, were another story!

As I progressed through my teen years, another collection started developing. On pieces of paper and index cards there was information. Old newspaper clippings my Dad found and gave to me. Letters and such. You guessed it; I had started collecting dead relatives.

Changed from the original, these last two collections are the ones that have remained over the years.

The books have less of an emphasis on the fiction that I mostly read in middle and high school. There are many cookbooks and books on gardening and homesteading now. The vast majority of the collection has to do with either social history of times past or genealogy itself. A thorough “weeding” as librarians call it was done several years ago when my husband and I were married. Titles weren’t eliminated then, rather, we merged collections and made sure there was only one copy of each title!

The dead relatives have moved from those scraps of paper and index cards to file drawer after file drawer of papers neatly tucked into folders. At the same time, the database on the computer was started. Today it is slowly migrating to the database, reports and other papers. However, most of those are kept in digital format and the paper files are slowly being eliminated as the get scanned.

Thus although the content and sometimes the physical make-up of my collections have changed, they are virtually the same as that of my late teen years.

Wordless Wednesday- Gingerbread Houses

FamilySearch Latest Databases

 

 New Historical Records on FamilySearch: Week of December 17, 2018

SALT LAKE CITY, UT (December 20, 2018)—FamilySearch added 1.3 million indexed records this week. Over 700,000 of these records come from Peru; records also came from Colombia, French Polynesia, Germany, South Africa, and North Carolina, Ohio, and West Virginiain the United States. (Find and share this news release online in the FamilySearch Newsroom).
Research these free new records and images by clicking on the collection links below, or go to FamilySearch to search over 8 billion free names and record images.

Country	Collection	Indexed Records	Digital Images	Comments
Colombia	Colombia, Catholic Church Records, 1576–2017	198,711	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
French Polynesia	French Polynesia, Civil Registration, 1780–1999	2,733	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
Germany	Germany, Saxony-Anhalt, Halberstadt, Civil Registration, 1874–1982	79,160	0	New indexed records collection
Germany	Germany, Schleswig-Holstein, Kreis Steinburg, Civil Registration, 1874–1983	12,365	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
Peru	Peru, Diocese of Huaraz, Catholic Church Records, 1641–2016	164,231	0	New indexed records collection
Peru	Peru, Lima, Civil Registration, 1874–1996	605,532	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
South Africa	South Africa, Transvaal, Civil Marriages, 1870–1930	12,066	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	North Carolina, Historical Records Survey, Cemetery Inscription Card Index	178,288	0	New indexed records collection
United States	Ohio, Licking County, Hartford Township Records, 1881–1962	927	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	West Virginia Deaths, 1804–1999	910	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection

Searchable historic records are made available on FamilySearch.org through the help of thousands of volunteers from around the world. These volunteers transcribe (index) information from digital copies of handwritten records to make them easily searchable online. More volunteers are needed (particularly those who can read foreign languages) to keep pace with the large number of digital images being published online at FamilySearch.org. Learn more about volunteering to help provide free access to the world's historic genealogical records online at FamilySearch.org/indexing.

FamilySearch is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources for free at FamilySearch.org or through more than 5,000 family history centers in 129 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Wordless Wednesday: O Christmas Tree!

FamilySearch Updates!

New Historical Records on FamilySearch: Week of December 10, 2018

SALT LAKE CITY, UT—FamilySearch added over 8 million indexed records from Ireland, England, Peru, the United States, and Ukraine.Of the records, 4.4 million originate from the 1911 Ireland Census. In the United States, records come from Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, Washington, West Virginia, and The Veteran's Administration.
Research these free new records and images by clicking on the collection links below, or go to FamilySearch to search over 8 billion free names and record images.
Easily find and share this announcement from the FamilySearch Newsroom.

Country	Collection	Indexed Records	Digital Images	Comments
England	England, Northamptonshire, Non-conformist Records, 1840–1894	362	0	New indexed records collection
Ireland	Ireland Census, 1911	4,385,217	0	New indexed records collection
Peru	Peru, Áncash, Civil Registration, 1888–2005	116,626	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
Ukraine	Ukraine, Kiev Confession Lists, 1741–1918	68,724	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Alabama, World War I Service Cards, 1917–1919	102,611	0	New indexed records collection
United States	Georgia, Reconstruction Registration Oath Books, 1867–1868	7,962	0	New indexed records collection
United States	Indiana Marriages, 1811–2007	32,310	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Indiana, World War I, Enrollment Cards, 1919	134,761	0	New indexed records collection
United States	Iowa, Death Records, 1904–1951	10	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Mississippi, World War I Army Veterans, Master alphabetical index, 1917–1918	53,093	0	New indexed records collection
United States	United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917–1940	3,099,585	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Washington, World War I Veteran's Compensation Fund Application Records, 1921–1925	28,530	0	New indexed records and images collection
United States	West Virginia Will Books, 1756–1971	12	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection

Searchable historic records are made available on FamilySearch.org through the help of thousands of volunteers from around the world. These volunteers transcribe (index) information from digital copies of handwritten records to make them easily searchable online. More volunteers are needed (particularly those who can read foreign languages) to keep pace with the large number of digital images being published online at FamilySearch.org. Learn more about volunteering to help provide free access to the world's historic genealogical records online at FamilySearch.org/indexing.
FamilySearch is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources for free at FamilySearch.org or through more than 5,000 family history centers in 129 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Wordless Wednesday- Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Union Springs

New Indexed Records at FamilySearch

New Historical Records on FamilySearch: Week of December 3, 2018

SALT LAKE CITY, UT (4 December 2018)—FamilySearch added an astounding 47.2 million indexed records from 38 of the United States, and some from theBrazil Civil Registration Records. Over 11 million records come from the United States 1930 Census. Other records included the states of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachussetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. (Easily find and share this announcement online in the FamilySearch Newsroom).
Research these free new records and images by clicking on the collection links below, or go to FamilySearch to search over 8 billion free names and record images.

Country	Collection	Indexed Records	Digital Images	Comments
Brazil	Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Civil Registration, 1829–2012	65,936	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
Other	BillionGraves Index	203,514	203,514	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Alabama County Marriages, 1809–1950	4,115,533	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Arizona, County Marriages, 1871–1964	370,565	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Arizona, Gila County, Cemetery Records, 1927–1994	3,498	0	New indexed records collection
United States	California, County Marriages, 1850—1952	27,263	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	California, San Francisco County Records, 1824–1997	1,438,476	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Delaware Vital Records, 1650–1974	738,983	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Delaware, Wilmington Vital Records, 1847–1954	117,180	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Florida Marriages, 1830–1993	35,097	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Florida, County Marriages, 1830–1957	270,640	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Georgia, County Marriages, 1785–1950	1,224,740	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Georgia, Elbert County Records, 1790–2002	35,768	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Idaho, Bonneville County Records, 1867–2012	36,054	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Idaho, Butte County Records, 1882–1970	1,102	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Idaho, Cassia County Records, 1879–1989	14,323	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Idaho, County Marriages, 1864–1950	236,009	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Idaho, Elmore County Records, 1889–1972	5,570	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Idaho, Gooding County Records, 1879–1962	6,487	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Idaho, Lemhi County Records, 1868–1964	3,394	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Idaho, Lincoln County Records, 1886–1972	4,049	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Idaho, Madison County Records	2,352	34,153	New indexed records and images collection
United States	Idaho, Minidoka County Records, 1913–1961	7,965	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Idaho, Teton County Records, 1900–1988	778	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Idaho, Twin Falls County Records, 1906–1988	35,522	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Illinois, Cook County Marriages, 1871–1920	798,230	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Illinois, County Marriages, 1810–1940	1,041,748	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Indiana Marriages, 1811–2007	46,862	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Iowa, County Marriages, 1838–1934	100,397	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797–1954	1,561,926	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Maine Vital Records, 1670–1921	427,770	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Maryland County Marriages, 1658–1940	33,797	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Massachusetts Marriages, 1841–1915	656,620	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Massachusetts Town Records, ca. 1638–1961	32,643	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626–2001	603,710	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Michigan, County Marriages Index, 1820–1937	13,820	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Michigan, County Marriages, 1820–1940	72,650	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Minnesota, County Marriages, 1860–1949	79,814	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Missouri, County Marriage, Naturalization, and Court Records, 1800–1991	729,069	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Montana, Cascade County Records, 1880–2009	23,867	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Montana, County Marriages, 1865–1950	20,961	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Montana, Granite County Records, 1865–2009	1,904	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Montana, Judith Basin County Records, 1887–2012	3,787	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Montana, Lake County Records, 1857–2010	3,703	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Montana, Pondera County Records, 1910–2012	2,707	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Montana, Rosebud County Records, 1878–2011	125	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Montana, Sanders County Records, 1866–2010	7,311	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Montana, Teton County Records, 1881–2012	5,421	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Montana, Toole County Records, 1913–1960	12,917	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Montana, Yellowstone County Records, 1881–2011	5,827	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Nebraska Marriages, 1855–1995	578,386	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Nevada County Marriages, 1862–1993	727,995	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	New Hampshire Marriage Certificates, 1948–1959	1,001	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	New Hampshire, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1636–1947	125,087	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	New Jersey, Marriages, 1670–1980	88,538	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	New York, County Marriages, 1847–1848; 1908–1936	220,043	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829–1940	1,202,263	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762–1979	6,405,785	618,184	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	North Carolina, County Records, 1833–1970	11	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	North Dakota, County Marriages, 1872–1958	494	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Ohio, Carroll County, Veteran Grave Registrations, 1817–1980	2,367	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Ohio, County Marriages, 1789–2013	1,077,187	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Oklahoma, County Marriages, 1890–1995	294,132	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Collection, 1947–2010	535	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885–1950	1,236,748	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Rhode Island, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1630–1945	60,960	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Tennessee, Jackson County Records, 1801–1974	13,799	17,925	New indexed records and images collection
United States	Tennessee, White County Records, 1809–1975	22,861	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Texas, Comanche County Records, 1858–1955	17,529	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837–1977	15,112	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837–1965	388,116	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Texas, Mills County Clerk Records, 1841–1985	8,828	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Texas, Swisher County Records, 1879–2012	2,057	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	United States Census, 1930	11,779,223	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	United States, Florida, Index to Alien Arrivals by Airplane at Miami, 1930–1942	51,420	0	New indexed records collection
United States	Utah, Davis County Records, 1869–1953	21,745	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Utah, Tooele County Records, 1855–1956	5,449	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Vermont, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1732–2005	2,401,944	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Vermont, Town Records, 1850–2005	55,144	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Virginia, County Marriage Records, 1771–1943	37,040	2,733	New indexed records and images collection
United States	Virginia, Jewish Cemetery Records Index, ca. 1800–1986	8,056	0	New indexed records collection
United States	Washington, County Marriages, 1855–2008	3,951,984	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	West Virginia Marriages, 1780–1970	1,158,909	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Wisconsin, County Marriages, 1836–1911	17,409	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection
United States	Wyoming Marriages, 1869–1923	27,777	0	Added indexed records to an existing collection

Searchable historic records are made available on FamilySearch.org through the help of thousands of volunteers from around the world. These volunteers transcribe (index) information from digital copies of handwritten records to make them easily searchable online. More volunteers are needed (particularly those who can read foreign languages) to keep pace with the large number of digital images being published online at FamilySearch.org. Learn more about volunteering to help provide free access to the world's historic genealogical records online at FamilySearch.org/indexing.
FamilySearch is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources for free at FamilySearch.org or through more than 5,000 family history centers in 129 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.