TAG, Thursday, 9 Jan 2025, on Zoom  Minutes created by Janice Moerschel - Leader

Register for Crista Cowan's events ("Education") for free at the link below. 

Use your normal Ancestry log-in to register for upcoming live events. Once you are registered, you will also be able to view previously recorded videos. https://www.ancestry.com/c/discover/education Updates: 

1) For the 1930 census, the record will indicate whether or not the person/family owned a radio. President FDR wanted to know how many Americans would listen to a fireside chat,"\ so this question was asked - and only on this census date. Also note that the 1930 census record will state whether a man was in "THE World War" (or just WW - World War I.)

3) Memories: Albums. Photos added to an album may show up on the Ancestry feed. You can now add photos from a person's profile album directly into an album you create. Up to 100 photos.

4) Pro Tools update: Additional colors for grouping matches are now available, up to 64. 

5) Legacy contact.  Ancestry now allows you to designate someone who can manage your account in the event you are unable to do so. See this link for details: https://support.ancestry.com/s/article/Ancestry-Legacy-Contact?language=en_US

6) For 20th century U.S. census records, you may see an "AI" option (a feature in BETA) to get a narrative of the information on the record, i.e., "Explore this record." Give a thumbs up or down as to whether or not you like it. While Ancestry AI cues you to save the narrative, it does not appear that this option is available yet. However, you may be able to copy and paste the narrative into a document. Julie also mentioned that you could copy the narrative into your relative's "NOTES" field. 

Currently, the "ask AI" feature also appears to be available for some draft and naturalization records. When you generate a report, check for accuracy and with your own knowledge of your family. A couple of examples: Charles Brown Based on information from the New York, U.S., State and Federal Naturalization Records, 1794-1943 Charles Brown, a Scottish immigrant, embarked on a journey that would forever change his life. Born on December 21, 1916, in Holytown, Scotland, Charles set out from Glasgow at the tender age of nine. His destination: the bustling city of New York. On March 23, 1926, Charles arrived in the United States, stepping foot in the vibrant metropolis of New York, New York. The city's towering skyscrapers and bustling streets must have been a stark contrast to the quaint Scottish town he left behind.

 Driven by a desire for a new beginning, Charles wasted no time in pursuing his dreams. Years later, he found himself in the position to seek naturalization. In the heart of New York, Charles filed his Naturalization Petition, marked with the number 314061. This document symbolized Charles' commitment to his adopted homeland. It represented his determination to fully integrate into American society and embrace the opportunities that awaited him. Though we may never know the exact reasons behind his decision, it is clear that Charles saw a future for himself in the United States. Charles Brown's story is one of resilience and ambition. Leaving behind his Scottish roots, he embarked on a journey that led him to the bustling streets of New York City. Through his Naturalization Petition, Charles demonstrated his unwavering commitment to his new home, forever leaving his mark on the tapestry of American history. My notes: Charles, his widowed mother, and siblings - after landing at New York - headed on to live in West Virginia for several years, before moving to New York City. 

This info was not in the record, so AI could not incorporate it. Mary Brown Based on information from the 1930 United States Federal Census Mary Brown, a widowed homemaker, was the head of her household in Cabin Creek, Kanawha, West Virginia in 1930. Born around 1882 in Scotland, Mary immigrated to the United States in 1926 and was still an alien at the time of the census. Despite this, she was able to speak English and was literate. Mary lived in a rented cabin with her four sons: John (32), Alex (21), William (17), and Charlie (13). 

The family owned a radio set, indicating a level of modernity and access to information. Mary's Scottish heritage was evident in the language spoken at home. Although she did not attend school, Mary ensured that her sons received an education. The details provided paint a picture of a resilient and determined woman, navigating life as a head of household in a new country.

My note: The census asked if a person had attended school in the past year, so this does not mean Mary never did (she did). Some tips from Crista Cowan video, virtual event, "Family Tree Building, 101." You can view at this link:  https://www.ancestry.com/c/discover/education/family-tree-building-101

1) Using any search box, type in the name of a place. Ancestry tries to give you the correct place name, i.e., the name of a place as Ancestry recognizes it.

2) If you have a relative with an unknown maiden name (or a male with an unknown surname), use five (5) underscores _____ to indicate that in the surname box. This helps with Ancestry's algorithms.

3) Do not use titles in a name. Add a title via the drop-down for editing at a profile page.

4) Click to open hints or other pages in new tab with a right click. NEW (in Beta): Connie Knox video - DNA and tree update (abt. 4 1/2 min): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E82tgAiERb4 Diane asked how to save a hint to multiple people. Julie Rosenoff shared how to accept a hint and get the record attached to the person or people you want and choose the information you want to add. Next month, Julie Rosenoff will share about how she groups her DNA matches. I will demonstrate how copy over a person from one tree to another. If you have a Valentine story you'd like to share, let me know. We may also learn about using FamilySearch and Ancestry in conjunction, combining best capabilities of both websites to work together.

We had 24 in attendance today: Betty Ellis, Bob Hyslop (new today), Carol Hsu, Chris Murphy, Dan and May Cotton,  Dianne Bongarts, Dolly Webb, Duane Beck, Gail Clark, Gina McKenzie, Janice Moerschel, Juanita McBride, Julie Rosenhoff, Karen Lehfeldt (Clarkston, WA), Kelly Taylor, Kent Aggers, Linda Shorb (Morro Bay, CA),  Marge Mero, Paula Davis, Patrick Bundy, Ron Marvin, Sandi Gaffney, and Susan Harms. Janice Moerschel The Ancestry Group (TAG)

¬13 Feb 2025, TAG meeting notes by Janice Moerschel

RootsTech coming up. Free to attend online classes. March 6-8. Register at FamilySearch.com.

Digital Digest - new issue will be posted March 1 - to include stories from Walking with Ancestors, a piece on AI from Thomas MacEntee, and a story written by my Civil War veteran, George A. Wheaton.

 To view Digital Digest, visit EWGS website, members only area. We could use material for the June/Summer issue. Do you have a story to share? A tip that I meant to mention: There has been an update to AI summaries. Records with this capability will now appear as having a "Record Summary." If reminded, I can show at next meeting. To create an album. Go to a person's profile. If you would like to create an album for this person, click on the gallery there. Then select "create." The tab will list story, document, album. Select "Album." Name the album and add any info you want to add. You will then be cued to add media (it can be photos, records, stories, etc.). Choose the desired media. Taking a person from one tree and putting in another. I demonstrated how to do this. Select "Tools" at the top of a profile page. Choose "save to tree." Choose the tree you want the person to be saved to. If the person is not already in the other tree, "add new person" to selected tree - type in name. Ancestry will probably begin to show you hints so you can build information (and additional family members) into that tree. You will not be removing a person from a tree - you'll only be building that person into another tree. Ruth brought up a question as to how to change out a profile photo. Click on the camera icon at that profile photo and remove. This will only remove the picture as profile photo. The photo will not disappear from the person's gallery - unless you were to go to the gallery and delete it. Another tip I meant to mention.

 A question came in from Tricia. When cued as to if you want to share a record, you can choose to share via email, link, social media, or download a record or image. It's possible the view may be limited if the recipient does not have an Ancestry account. Linda Shorb's tip from last month. If a DNA match does not have a tree, look at shared matches. With "Pro Tools," you can see the shared matches and sort. Sort relationships. 

Try to find a close one with a tree. If that match has a common ancestor, that may be the one you share. Always check and verify details. Hopefully, Linda, I have explained this OK. Julie Rosenoff showed us her method for organizing DNA matches. She used the "fan" view from her tree and highlighted a paternal set of ancestors. She used generation numbers to categorize family members and showed how to use these tools to efficiently match DNA results with family trees. She also showed how to link a DNA test to a specific family tree. Julie has separate trees for each parent and so links her DNA test to one tree or the other, depending on which branch she is working on. I mentioned that folks can also use ThruLines to find the generation of ancestors to group. Ruth Anne said she adds a date to any notes she makes about a DNA match. Excellent idea. Julie also showed how to create and edit custom DNA match groups and how to assign colors. She uses numbers but you can also choose to use an alphabetical system. Also, you can choose cool tones or warmer tones for paternal/maternal sides. Thank you, Julie! Valentine's Day: I shared the story of my great-grandparents, George A. Wheaton and Grace M. Walcott, who married in 1869. My slideshow featured portraits of Grace and George on their wedding day, pictures of George's Connecticut home (where he lived as a boy), and the home that George and Grace shared in Minneapolis. Also, a portrait (painted in about 1927 - not long before Grace's passing) that is in the hands of my cousin, still today. Though we didn't have sound for the slideshow, hopefully all enjoyed. I also read the letter that George wrote, asking for Grace's hand in marriage. The couple could have met because of George being a carpenter and Grace's father being in the machine and tool manufacturing business. 

Ruth Anne read a letter written by a young man during the Civil War, and May shared a letter from a female ancestor who expressed her feelings towards the man she hoped to marry. Great stuff - thanks for sharing!

Next month, it will almost be St. Patrick's Day. Bring any stories you may want to share. TOPIC STILL NEEDED. This group is for you and I want to bring you topics of interest.

Recommended videos (it's possible we may watch at next meeting): 1) Crista Cowan - "DNA 101" https://www.ancestry.com/c/discover/education/ancestrydna-101

2): Connie Knox's link on Family Search and Ancestry - great stuff!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8zoCptpkro&t=3s - Search, powerhouse strategy revised

3) Crista Cowan: Ancestry Education - Common Mistakes (also on YouTube) https://www.ancestry.com/c/discover/education/family-tree-clean-up

I believe we had 25 people today - hope no-one was missed in this list. Carol Hsu, Chris Murphy, Dan and May Cotton, Dianne Bongarts, Don Walter, Doug and Oweta Floyd, Duane Beck, Gail Clark, Janice Moerschel, Juanita McBride, Judy Benson, Julie Rosenoff, Karen Lehfeldt (Clarkston, WA), Kelley Taylor, Kelly Martin, Marge Mero, Nancy Todd, Paula Davis, Ron Marvin, Rosemarie Schmitt, Ruth Halligan, Sandi Gaffney, and Susan Harms.