Caldwell FamilySearch Center

04/21/2025

Family History Tip #4 - Tradition!

I guess this really isn't a tip for research as much as it's a reminder to color your findings with interesting background. (And since I've been preoccupied with some personal matters lately, I wanted to get a post in...)

Spring is often seen as a time of rebirth and beginnings; some of us have also been celebrating holidays such as Easter.

For me and my family, coloring eggs has always been a nice way to connect with our ancestry. Every year, my uncle would set up a table for us to "do pysanky", a Slavic tradition of egg decorating using beeswax and dyes. There are also loads of traditional motifs used for decorating the eggs. Well, we won't be winning any contests for intricacy or aesthetic, but our family's tradition of "doing pysanky" continues to filter down the generations and connects us to our past.

The point I make is that remembering one's traditions, and recording those details and memories, bring interesting context to the dates and names that fill one's family tree.

I will post some photos in the comments, but I would also love to hear about any special traditions that you may celebrate. And tradition occupies every culture and every faith and every family, so everyone is welcome to share. I look forward to learning about other traditions!

Good journey.

04/08/2025

Did to unforseen circumstances, the Family Search Center will not be open in the morning on Tuesday 08 April 2025. The center will be open in the evening as usual, from 7-9pm.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

02/25/2025

Family History Tip #3 - Keep good notes!

As I was going through some old photos and clippings that my aunt had kept from long ago, I found a piece of paper with some names of older relatives written on it. Scribbled off to the side was the word "Iwje", which would have meant little to me years earlier. But when I stumbled upon it, I knew it referred to the town from where those ancestors came from.

It was a nice corroboration of what I had previously discovered on my own, and it was a sentimental reminder that my aunt had shared a mutual interest with tracing our family history.

But it was also a reminder that if she had kept more detailed notes about what she knew or discovered, I might have been saved some labor figuring it out independently. (Don't get me wrong, the exercise was useful unto itself.)

My point is, keeping good, detailed notes of your research is kinda important - unless you enjoy retracing previous work, either to pick up a detail that (earlier) seemed insignificant, or because you've forgotten that you already looked at that film or collection.

Notes help you keep track of the work you've done; they also provide the path to retrieve that work and those documents if you accidentally lose anything. Equally important, notes can help you keep organized with your search strategy and focused on obtainable goals.

For now, I have no good advice for "how" to keep good notes, except they should work for you... and possibly some future relative that may someday want to pick up your research

Good journey, don't forget the travelogue!

02/05/2025

The Caldwell Family Search Center will be closed tomorrow, Thursday Feb. 6th, in anticipation of the inclement weather. We regret any inconvenience this may impose, but look forward to seeing you next week (weather permitting 😯🌨️❄️).

In the meantime, keep checking in here for more family history tips and updates.

01/30/2025

Family History Tip #2 - Label your photographs.

A few years ago, I got together with my Aunt Irene and cousin Renee to go through a collection of old photographs and digitize them. We worked through the afternoon and into the night, sharing memories and connecting with our past. As Renee and I scanned photos, my aunt provided an invaluable resource to identify older, long passed relatives and friends.

There were some photos that were labeled by the original owner - with names, location, and/or year. Others could be identified to varying degrees by Aunt Irene, often accompanied with an anecdote or detail that a photo cannot record. Despite having her there at that moment, I emphasized how important it was to label photos when they are first taken.

The next time we got together to continue our project, my aunt very proudly pointed out that she starting writing identifying information on the back of some photos. We ended up having a great laugh when I noticed she labeled herself as "me" (Mom, Uncle Frank, and me).

By the time photographs become precious keepsakes of family history, the people enjoying them may not be able to identify who "me" is. So, label your photographs well.

Final note: although the digital photos of today automatically save when (and possibly where) they are taken, they don't automatically identify the who.

Good journey, and don't forget the photos.

01/17/2025

The Caldwell Family Search Center will not be open during the week of January 20-24th. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Join us back the following Tuesday (Jan 28th) and Thursday (Jan 30th) during our regular hours.

01/17/2025

https://www.genealogyexplained.com/fb/blog/8-census-records-that-hide-extra-information-in-plain-sight/?utm_medium=referral&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0BMABhZGlkAAAGCexMmnQBHZ0BWT__oFbyXXtS9ianEo7Z9-y2ieUnIHYo7xbnvLYi5RhsVCPuVA27lw_aem_9IGdwbH5TZJ0NCSYMA1lvA

Let me show you something most newbies completely miss.

01/16/2025

trying something new...

Family History Tip #1 - This one is easy, as I've mentioned it previously. As you embark on your journey into your family's history, take the time to review your most primary sources, your family. Talk to living relatives and family associates about their memories. Write them down, or maybe even record "stories" using multimedia format. These recollections are true gems that will not be around forever, unless you preserve them.

I knew three of my grandparents well into my twenties; and I recall various details and stories, but how I wish I preserved them in their own words.

Also, don't be too pushy. Most people enjoy sharing their memories when someone is interested in listening, but some people are self-conscious about how they sound or look on recording. Gentle encouragement and patience goes a long way.

Good journey, and tune in for future tips!

12/18/2024

The holiday season is a great time to reflect upon what draws us to "family history".

Whether your plans include gathering presently with family or friends or merely reminiscing about those from holidays past, consider that it's the small details, funny moments, and personal stories that truly enrich the names and dates that fill out your family tree.

Take time to recall those details; share them with loved ones, and record them for future generations to enjoy.

May the joy of the holiday season surround you with warmth and love... and maybe even a few more heartfelt memories to add to your history.

12/18/2024

To all our wonderful friends and patrons, we wish you the most joyous of holidays.
We will be closed during the weeks of Christmas and New Year. We look forward to seeing you all in the New Year and hearing about your genealogical discoveries!

09/21/2024

https://www.genealogyexplained.com/fb/blog/family-tree-fails-embarrassing-mistakes-every-genealogist-has-made/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid&utm_content=family-tree-fails&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0BMAABHaLfd5s3DWqAq8-deU2CCAdZ8kMeJIopt4ijkEdubpz-zHChL351LjDNtw_aem_P-ygwFpPk20K2ptsWR8tlQ

We've all royally screwed up our family trees at some point. It's time to air out our dirty laundry and learn from our collective face-palms.

02/12/2024