Research Resource Book

Resource Book

In opening my cabinet of resource books today I decided to share another one from my “Family Tree” collection. I purchased this book, “The Family Tree Sourcebook” about 10 years ago while attending a conference. Its listed as a guide/directory for your county and town records here in the US. If you’ve ever attended one of the many great genealogy conferences I’m sure you’ve seen this cover.

The Family Tree Sourcebook

I will have to say I have gotten quite a lot of use out of this one over the years and find it quite handy. No matter if you’ve been researching for a while I think you could find this one just as useful. Each chapter is broken down by states and in those chapters, you’re provided with some brief historical information on that state and some helpful contact information.

Let me elaborate just a little, let’s take Kentucky for instance. You’ll find mailing and email addresses, website information, and phone numbers.  All these guiding you to different societies, archives, and libraries. Plus (insert smile here) county details with some of the best information on each county within that state. The only downfall is it’s limited to the US but then again with over 700 pages full of helpful information, I can’t imagine how large it would be with more countries added.

I can say that I have seen this particular book at a few conferences this past year. But in case you are unable to locate on, I’ve included this link to Amazon for you, https://amzn.to/2u4FVOU.

Mistleoe

Mistletoe Aplenty

During the winter holiday season, how many of us have stepped under the mistletoe? We might walk through a doorway as it’s hanging above us, or maybe have some hanging on a wreath on the door. Whatever the case maybe did you realize that during the depression it helped to feed many families. Don’t worry I didn’t either until after I read a small history notation in my local paper by Roger Martin.

Middletowntranscript Nov. 23, 2017

 November 25th, 1937 With mistletoe aplenty 4,000 Sussex County workers began making holly wreaths which brought 3 to 6 cents a wreath. While seemingly not much, it was at least something for the work-starved people in the area during the Depression. 

I will admit after reading this, even as small as it was. I will never look at this piece of holiday greenery the same way again.

Panda Bear

First Panda

In a purchase from eBay, there were a couple of photos, just like this one. Noted on the back of one “1st Panda Bear at Brookfield Zoo“. While I typically share photos with people in them, I thought this might be of interest to some.

Su-Lin

Therefore I couldn’t help myself and wanted to see what else I could find out. The Brookfield Zoo in Chicago served as the home to Su-Lin, pictured above.  Yes, I’m having a small celebration, I have a name, location, and more. It turns out that she is the first Panda Bear in a United States zoo. She made her appearance around 1936, now that doesn’t mean that’s the photograph date. A BBC news article dated December 2, 2013, states she was a baby in 1936. This photograph was obviously taken a couple years later. In reading the article linked above you will learn more about Su-Lin. Along with those who rescued her and the meaning of her name. 

Family Legacies

Book of Legacies

Building a book full of legacies just got a little easier and more fun for some. A few years ago, for Mother’s Day, I received “Family Tree Legacies” from my kids. It wasn’t until the last blog post that I realized I never shared this with any of you. I’m pretty sure they purchased it through Amazon, but it is published through Family Tree Magazine.

Family Tree Legacies

This is the perfect gift idea for the family historian in our family or heck even yourself. Held together in a nice three-ring book it consists of eleven chapters including a foldable family tree. Each chapter is full of pages for you to fill in with all your information, your family, and your ancestor’s information. You’ll even find helpful tips and hints along the way in collecting what is needed. This family keepsake binder is customizable and even comes with a disk, so you can print off more pages as needed.

Each chapter of this book provides you with some helpful tips when answering the questions. Take this section, Memories & Traditions. Most of us can remember some of those family stories passed down from generation to generation. You will even find a section on interviewing your family members, they might have some wonderful stories to add.

Memories & Traditions

I thought this was the perfect time to share such a treasure with the holidays around the corner.