Abundant Genealogy- Week Four: Free Offline Genealogy Tools

Week 4 – Free Offline Genealogy Tools: For which free offline genealogy tool are you most grateful? How did you find this tool and how has it benefitted your genealogy? Describe to others how to access this tool and spread the genealogy love.  This challenge runs from Sunday, January 22, 2012 through Saturday, January 28, 2012.

My favorite offline genealogy tool is our local library.  The Columbia-Marion County Public LIbrary has a room specific to genealogy research and I've spent many hours there, browsing through books, newspapers, family files and using the microfilm reader.  I don't go as to the library as often as I used to but I plan to begin going again on my days off because I want to obtain more information on our local history.  

I also like to go to the local courthouses and browse through the books of marriage records.  

I know there are many more available offline resources in our area, such as the Family Research Center, the South Mississippi Genealogy Society and the genealogy library at the University of Southern Mississippi.  I need to make the time to visit these places- who knows what I might be missing out on.  

Abundant Genealogy- Week Three: Free Online Genealogy Tools

Week #3 – Free Online Genealogy Tools Week 3 – Free Online Genealogy Tools: Free online genealogy tools are like gifts from above. Which one are you most thankful for? How has it helped your family history experience? This challenge runs from Sunday, January 15, 2012 through Saturday, January 21, 2012.

Recently I have been browsing the Find A Grave web site (www.findagrave.com) and I am so grateful for the generosity of the people who have donated their time and effort to make the site a success!  I have found several photos of head stones of ancestors of myself and my husband.  I also like being able to leave a note and flower graphics on their memorial pages.  I have signed up on the site and although I have only one memorial page (my Mom's), I plan to add more later.  Some of the memorial pages have photos of the person and their families, links to other family members, and obituaries.  Find A Grave is currently one of my most favorite free online genealogy tools.

Follow Friday- Friday Finds: Blogs and Favorite Links

I'm so thankful to have my "quiet time" back.  Not that I don't enjoy company, especially that of my grandsons, but after a week and a half I was ready for my house and my thoughts to be back in order!  It is in those moments of silence that I can write best- I'm sure most of you agree.

Serenity at Loch Ness, Scotland

On to my Friday Finds:

How many of you have an "Ancestor Tree"?  I'm talking about an actual miniature tree decorated with photos of your deceased loved ones- complete with miniature lights, ribbons and/or other ornaments.  Gini at Ginisology created a beautiful ancestor tree which she kept out all through the year in 2011.  What a wonderful tribute to her ancestors!  I think that I may just create an Ancestor Tree for my beloved ones as Christmas approaches this year.  

Deb Ruth at Adventures in Genealogy posted her 2011 Top 10 Adventures in Genealogy recently.  My favorite of those she listed is SNGF- Signs You Have GOCD.  That post suggested some of the potential signs you may exhibit if you have Genealogy Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.  Oh my, what a great tummy laugh I had while reading that- thanks for sharing Deb!  By the way, I have a hopeless case of GOCD!

I thoroughly enjoyed the creative post on Cat Genealogy and Dog Tags, posted by Jacqi at A Family Tapestry.  Jacqi is the "Best of the Best" when it comes to creative writing and journalism skills.

  

Dawn breaks over Sardis River, Mississippi

I've added a few links to my favorites for research in Southern Mississippi:

Perry County, MS GenWeb provides a thorough listing of cemetery transcriptions in the area as well as a list of marriages and the history of Perry County from WPA records.  Many of my surnames are included in their list of First Families of Perry County. 

Mississippi Genealogy Trails, part of the Genealogy Trails network, also has multiple records of cemetery transcriptions in Lamar County as well as a thorough listing of court records.

For general information on the state of Mississippi, Awesome America/Mississippi offers web site visitors information on the state parks, attractions, historic sites, resorts and more.  Their photo gallery is filled with beautiful photos from our southern state. 

That wraps it up for this Follow Friday.  Have a great weekend everyone!