Photo Retouching Guide Available

Posted on 8 October 2011 by Tony Hanson

Sandra Crowley made a fascinating and informative presentation on “Photo Retouching” at the Oct. 6 Technology SIG meeting. She has also provided a 4 page quick reference document for Photoshop Elements users… it is available on the Technology SIG page.

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Learn about Scanners and Scanning

Posted on 31 August 2011 by Tony Hanson

The Dallas Genealogical Society Technology Special Interest Group will be meeting again this week:

  • When: Thursday evening from 6:30 pm to 8:00
  • Where: Studio room on the 3rd floor of theDallas Public Library

This week’s discussion will focus on Scanners and scanning technology. By the end of my presentation you will (hopefully!)

  • Understand how a scanner works
  • Be knowledgeable of key terms and concepts
  • Know the different scanning techniques available on most scanners
  • Understand that not all images contain the same level of detail
  • Understand the limitations of printers and monitors
  • Know which formats to use to save your files

I hope to see you there, but if you can’t join us this month please consider participating in an upcoming meeting:

  • October 6  – Digital Photography: Repair and Retouch by Sandra Crowley
  • November 3 – Tying it all together. This will be an open discussion on any of the topics we have covered in previous SIG presentations
  • December 1 – Show Your Project night. Make a brief presentation to the group about a project you have worked on that was inspired by something you learned at a Technology SIG meeting. Tell us what you have done with your Blog, Wiki, Web Site, Photography project, Scanning Project or whatever. The best/most entertaining presentation of the night will win a $25 gift certificate to Fry’s Electronics!
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Birth mother and her family

Posted on 17 August 2011 by Carolyn Davis

The Society recently received a request from a woman in East Texas whose husband (adopted soon after birth) had finally been able to find his original birth certificate in Dallas County. It provided the name and age of his biological mother, but little more data.

In addition to identifying his mother’s parents and grandparents, she and her husband want to develop a medical history of the family.  She is following several avenues of research, but particularly asked if there are any specialized groups/organizations that offer advice and tips to adoptees in their family history research.

I welcome comments and suggestions and will pass them along.

Thanks for helping.

 

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On-Line Genealogy Book Index

Posted on 12 August 2011 by Tony Hanson

Just heard about a web site that you may want to investgate… Genealogybooklinks.com is an index of freely available digital books of interest to genealogists. I took a quick look and saw many titles of interest, and the document links I clicked on do appear to be freely available with no gimicks.

It has been added as a link on the National/International page in the Resources section on the DGS web site.

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Upcoming Technology SIG Meetings

Posted on 10 August 2011 by Tony Hanson

Make plans now to attend these upcoming meetings of the Technology Special Interest Group:

  • September 1 – Understanding and using scanners
  • October 6 – Digital Photography: Repair and Retouch by Sandra Crowley
  • November 3 – Tying it all together. This will be an open discussion on any of the topics we have covered in previous SIG presentations
  • December 1 – Show Your Project night. Make a brief presentation to the group about a project you have worked on that was inspired by something you learned at a Technology SIG meeting. Tell us what you have done with your Blog, Wiki, Web Site, Photography project, Scanning Project or whatever. The best/most entertaining presentation of the night will win a $25 gift certificate to Fry’s Electronics!

All meetings are held at 6:30 PM on the first Thursday of each month at the Downtown branch of the Dallas Public Library. See the Technology SIG web page for more information.

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Dallas Public Library Research Assistance

Posted on 11 June 2011 by Tony Hanson

The Dallas Public Library offers a limited reference service through the US mail. They charges a $10.00 nonrefundable research fee that entitles you to 30 minutes of staff time and up to 2 photocopies (additional photocopies are $1.00/page). They will also provide copies of obituaries.

See the Mail Reference Requests and the Obituary Requests sections at http://dallaslibrary2.org/genealogy/mailReference.php for more information.

 

 

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Two new initiatives from FGS

Posted on 1 May 2011 by Tony Hanson

The FGS has started a new internet radio show each Saturday afternoon on Blog Talk Radio (My Society Online Radio by mysociety | Blog Talk Radio). Their web site describes it this way: ”…each week we tackle the issues that confront genealogy societies”.  Two episodes have already been archived and are available to listen to on-demand: 1) “Bringing Genealogy Societies into the 21st Century” and 2) “Genealogy Society Initiatives That Work”.  The topic for Saturday, May 7 is “Planning Your Genealogy Society Event”.  You can also subscribe to the episodes in podcast form via iTunes.

They are also developing a webinar series, Society Management Education Delivered Online.  The first one (“Social Networking for Genealogy Societies“, a presentation by Thomas MacEntee) was held yesterday. FGS members have access to recorded webinars and syllabus materials in the members-only section of the FGS website at Federation of Genealogical Societies – About FGS. For more information see their press release.

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Does DGS offer research services?

Posted on 1 May 2011 by Tony Hanson

DGS is a volunteer organization without the people resources to do lookups or research as a service. So we must decline all requests for research and lookups. Neither can we recommend individual professional researchers. However, there are two organizations who can help you locate a record or a professional suitable for your needs.

  • Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness has volunteers around the country who will do simple lookups or photograph cemetery stones, for free or the reimbursement of copy costs.
  • Association of Professional Genealogists membership is based on genealogists who do research for others for a negotiated fee. This fee is negotiated between the client and the professional researcher. Many APG members are certified genealogists. All APG members are bound to a code of ethics.
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Free FGS Webinar on Social Networking

Posted on 21 April 2011 by Tony Hanson

The Federation of Genealogical Societies is offering a free webinar on ‘Social Networking for Genealogy Societies’.

This is the first of a series of planned webinars and will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2011 . FGS Board member Thomas MacEntee will demonstrate how genealogy societies are currently leveraging the power of Facebook, Twitter and blogs to expand their online presence and recruit new members. Register at https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/401693254.

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Pat Hatcher Articles

Posted on 21 April 2011 by Carolyn Davis

Kudos to the DGS members responsible for posting these articles to our web site.  I have just begun to read them and already have picked up some great tips and methodologies.  Making this collection available to our members is a great service.  I look forward to reading the rest of the articles and to similar resources that will be posted in the future.

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