Pine Bluff and Southeast Arkansas Genealogy

Kindle for Genealogy -- Use It For More Than Reading Your Favorite Books

2012-01-30T14:31:00.004-06:00

Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Public Library System eBook accessibility was put online January 23, 2012.

Recently, I came across a great post on Susan Petersen’s “Long Lost Relatives” blog on how you might use your Kindle ebook reader to good genealogy use besides reading your favorite books.

For example:

“The Kindle actually functions as a high capacity USB drive that can be connected to the USB port on your computer. Adobe PDF files are one of the many file formats that are compatible with the Kindle. That means that any file that can be converted to PDF can be transferred to your Kindle.”

Take a peek at Susan’s blog for the full story.

Digital Copy of 1871 Map of Jefferson County Coming Soon

2011-11-01T12:24:00.004-05:00

Following article posted with permission from the Arkansas Toothpick

October 29, 2011 By: admin Category: arkansas civil war, Arkansas Civil War, Preservations.com

The members and spouses of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Patrick R. Cleburne Camp from Pine Bluff, Arkansas applauds Dave Burdick, Director of the Jefferson County Library System and Jana Mitchell, Reference Manager who works at the Main Branch of the Jefferson County Library. Per the request of Crystal Hall on behalf of the Cleburne Camp, they have been able to contact the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. and are in the process of obtaining a digital copy of the 1871 Wilson Map of Jefferson County. The original map is in the archives at the Jefferson County Main Branch, and over the years, it has deteriorated.

The 1871 Wilson Map appears to be the most detailed map available of Jefferson County during reconstruction (1865-1877). They have taken the Library copy and placed it into a protective box in the Frank Williamson Room in an effort to further protect it, and have ordered a printed copy of the section that is missing from the Library’s copy. The digital copy will be made available to library patrons likely in their online database of Genealogy Resources for Jefferson County.

According to a representative of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Southern Brigade Commander Ron Kelley noted that “Over the years, the SCV has lead the efforts in Jefferson County in historical preservation and restoration. It is our mission to ensure that the history and heritage of our county remains for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.”

The Cleburne Camp encourages anyone who is interested in perpetuating the history and heritage of our county to become involved in the multitude of current preservation projects in South East Arkansas, including a study of the Battle of Pine Bluff. The SCV meets every second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Watson Chapel Fire Station on Sulphur Springs Road.

Their web address is www.arkansastoothpick

1940 Census Opens April 2012

2011-10-13T16:53:00.000-05:00

Today’s post is brought to you by Constance Potter, Archivist in the Archives I Research Support Branch, and Jennifer Dryer of Archives II, who is currently cross-training at Archives I.
The release of the 1940 population census schedules is approaching! It will be released digitally on April 2, 2012. You will be able to access all 1940 census records online at any of the public computer workstations at National Archives facilities, as well as from any computer connected to the internet.
On April 2nd, you will be able to search by state; county; city; township or minor civil division, and enumeration data. There will be no name index on April 2nd.

As recorded in the 1940 census, the population of the continental United States rose 7.2% by 8,894,229 people from 1930 to 1940 (122,775,046 in the 1930 census to 131,669,275 in the 1940 census). Between 1930 and 1940, most states increased in population, with the largest increase being in Washington D.C. with a 36.2% increase of 176,222 people. South Dakota had the largest decrease in population with a 7.2% decrease of 49,888; however, the populations of North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma also decreased, most likely indicating people moving away from the Dust Bowl of the Midwest.
If you need information about yourself or a deceased person from the 1940 or later censuses, fill out Form BC-600 from the Bureau of the Census Age Search Service or write to: U.S. Census Bureau, National Processing Center, 1201 East 10th St., Jeffersonville, IN 47132.
For more information you may visit the National Archive’s 1940 census webpage.

Posted by Katherine on May 20, 2011, under 1940 Census, Digitization, Family Tree Fridays, Genealogy / Family History, Research.

Using the Official Register to find Federal employees

2011-10-13T16:49:00.000-05:00

Most people who research information about relatives or ancestors who were Federal employees probably don’t make enough use of government publications. So, it might interest you to know that the Federal Government actually produced its own employee directory, the Official Register of the United States, which spans the early 19th to the mid-20th centuries (1817-1959). Available in most U.S. Government depository libraries (including our own Archives Library Information Center at the National Archives) as well as many larger public and university libraries that carry government publications, the Official Register offers information in varying detail about the Federal workforce from the highest level appointments to the average bureau clerk.

On April 27, 1816, Congress authorized publication of the Official Register, to be produced every two years in conjunction with the sitting of each new Congress. The Register contained comprehensive listings of all civilian, military, and naval employees, officers, and agents of the Federal Government, with the lists arranged by department and then by agency, bureau, or office. Congress also required the Secretary of the Navy to provide the names, force, and condition of all ships and vessels belonging to the United States, including when and where they were built. Subsequent acts of Congress expanded the scope of the Register’s content to include the names of all government printers, a statement of monetary allowances to mail contractors from the Postmaster General, as well as correct lists of all presidents, cashiers, and directors of the Bank of the United States and its branches. Other departments, agencies, and bureaus were added to the Register as they were created.
Information about government employees was initially presented in a tabular format, which provided an overall picture of the organizational structure of each department. The tables contained such pertinent information as the employee’s name, job title, state or country of birth, the location of their post, and their annual salary. The military lists provided the names of officers, rank, and place of birth, while the naval lists also included date of commission and current duty station. From 1907 to 1921 the publication opted for a directory format or standard alphabetical listing. Eventually, as the size of the government grew, the Official Register became too large and expensive to publish. The information was scaled back to include only the top-level administrators and supervisors of Executive and Judicial departments until the yearly directory went out of publication in 1959.

Sample of the Official Register showing employees of the Post Office Department, 1907.

As a convenient starting point for genealogy research on civilian employees of the Federal Government, the Official Register of the United States can show, at a glance, whether or not an ancestor worked for the government in a given year, and also identify the department, bureau, or office they served. In many cases, the breakdown of department listings into specific jobs provides additional detail on the nature of work performed. Genealogists can also readily identify the place of birth for most employees, and the Congressional district from which they were appointed. The lists of annual salaries and contractor allowances provide a general picture of the economic conditions under which Federal employees served. Essentially, the Official Register offers an initial snapshot of life as a Federal employee from 1816 to 1959.

Posted by John on July 29, 2011, under Family Tree Fridays, Genealogy / Family History, Research.

2011-09-26T14:50:00.003-05:00

Some Jefferson County, Arkansas Cemeteries

2011-07-25T16:32:00.000-05:00

Jefferson County

Arkansas

Tombstone

Transcription Project

Most of these are complete indices at the time of transcription,
however, in some cases only a partial listing is provided.

Content from: http://www.accessgenealogy.com/arkansas

Release of 1940 Census

2011-07-11T11:26:00.000-05:00

1940 Census

For many genealogists, the countdown to access the 1940 Census has already begun.

The official date for the 1940 Census was April 1st, but since that day will fall on a Sunday in 2012, it is unclear whether researchers will have weekend access to film at the National Archives or will instead need to wait until Monday to satisfy their genealogical curiosity.

Countdown to 2012
On this page, we provide details about why the 1940 Census is private until 2012 and how you will need to prepare for your research when the big day finally arrives. Also included are summary data for the 1940 Census and some interesting facts about how this Sixteenth Enumeration of the United States population differed from the one taken a decade prior.

Questions Asked on the 1940 Census
The Bureau of the Census (Department of Commerce) provided standardized forms in 1940 for all Enumerators as in previous years. The standard Population Schedule had 34 questions and more than a dozen Supplemental Questions asked only for those persons who were enumerated on specified lines. This was the means used to ensure a random nature in obtaining supplemental information. Learn more about Questions Asked on the 1940 Census.

1940 Map of the United States
By 1940, the outline of the United States and the individual borders for the 48 contiguous states had become familiar to many, both in America and elsewhere throughout the world. The American Flag would display 48 stars, one for each state, for more than four decades. Those researching their family history are encouraged to understand the geographic area where their ancestors lived. This is especially true if your ancestors lived in the northeast or in border towns. It's possible that a move just a few miles away could result in a new state of residence. View 1940 Map of the U.S..

What were things like in 1940?
On April 7, 1940, just days after the official date for the 1940 Census enumeration, Booker T. Washington became the first African American to appear on a United States Postage Stamp. At the time, the domestic letter rate was just 3-cents per ounce. The World was also at war in 1940, but it would be more than eighteen months before the United States would enter World War II following the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. By the time this decade drew to a close the war was over, but the entire world learned of unspeakable war crimes that would forever change the world.
Learn more about the history of 1940.

Digging Up Family Roots

2011-07-06T15:51:00.002-05:00

By Deborah Horn
SPECIAL TO THE COMMERCIAL

     At some point during most holiday dinners, the conversation shifts to family history -- some are just short recollections about the time cousin Bobby fell out of the large oak in grandma's front yard, while others are detailed, like the time Charles, a divorced uncle living on Guam, worked with famed researcher and filmmaker, Jacques-Yves Cousteau.
     Passed from generation to generation, some stories are lost, while others become the fodder of legend.
Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Public Library Reference Manager, Jana V. Mitchell, says researching family histories, including written accounts, is fast becoming America's number one hobby.
     "It's not a glamorous hobby but it's addictive," she says. And for those who have no idea how to start a genealogical search, she says, "It's easy. Start with yourself, then your parents and grandparents."
     In addition to documenting any oral information they have to offer, such as family stories, ask them to share any documentation they have, including old Bibles, photographs, newspaper clippings, old boxes filled with "stuff" (a treasure chest for the serious genealogist) and birth, marriage and death certificates.

      So, at the next family reunion, talk to your relatives and ask them to share any information, whether oral or otherwise. If they're not willing to part with their hard copies, Mitchell suggests making copies.
     Storage is key, she says.
   While Mitchell likes keeping her family history research organized in a binder, because it's easier for her to access, she says, "There's no right or wrong way to store your information. I've seen people keep their information in a shoebox. The main reason for careful storage is so a person doesn't repeat their research."
      Speaking of research, Mitchell says the Pine Bluff Library has an entire section, known as the Arkansas Section in the Genealogy Department, devoted to the state's history. It also includes a number of family histories, geographical information, the Pine Bluff Commercial on microfilm and more.
     Don't overlook the value of online research.
     While Mitchell says Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com) and Search For Ancestors (www.searchforancestors.com/archives/google.html) are great resources, there are local sources worth checking out, such as the library's genealogy and obit website (http://pbjclibrary.state.ar.us/obits and http://pbjclibrary.state.ar.us/genealogy.html).
     While locals come year-round, Mitchell says many of the people who visit the Genealogy Department come during the summer when their kids are out of school. She suggests planning ahead so a family researcher can make the most of their visit.
     Facts and dates are great but Desha County Museum Director, Peggy Chapman, suggests visiting graveyards where members are buried, and for a more personal look at the era when your grandmother came of age, she suggests checking out local museums.
      It's not institutions like the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas at Pine Bluff that specialize in art, but smaller museums that are often the benefactors of household and commercial goods and other items. For instance, at the Desha County Museum, there are a number of buildings outfitted like an old grocery store, church and old homestead. Inside the main building, there are clothes from the famous flappers, handmade baby garments, and an early Victrola record player and telephone -- each the latest technology of its day.
     "If nothing else, your kids can experience life before cell phones," Chapman says.
     Also, she says she tries to collect information on important locals like Robert Moore, House Speaker of the 88th General Assembly.
     She also keeps local publications on file, as well as a couple copies of Goodspeed. Basically, this book is a condensed history of the state, its counties and individuals.
     "These are often extremely useful when researching your family history", she says.
     Like Chapman, Mitchell says people should not be shy about asking for assistance when starting their genealogical journeys. "We're happy to help, " she says.

Sad News

2011-07-05T13:22:00.001-05:00

Diana Lott, Assistant Library Director, passed from this life yesterday at the Jefferson County Medical Center. She was an employee of the PBJC Library for many years. Diana was a kind and gentle spirit and will be missed.

Because I could not stop for Death,
He kindly stopped for me.
The Carriage held but just ourselves
And Immortality
~Emily Dickinson

REST Miss Diana

Social Networking for Genealogists

2011-05-17T16:25:00.003-05:00

     The Internet is in the process of changing from a collection of corporate, organizational, and personal websites to a social network of dynamic services full of user-contributed content (think Wikipedia, Flickr, YouTube, etc.). The benefits of participating in this universe of expanded and shared information are incalculable and will lead, potentially, to the greatest exchange of information in history. Genealogists in particular will thrive in this new Internet environment of sharing, exchanging, and interacting.

     There are a wide array of social networking services that are now available online that can be used by genealogists to share information, photos, and videos with family, friends, and other researchers.

     You may want to incorporate some of these powerful new tools into your family history research if you not already utilizing them:

Blogs

A blog (a blend of the term web log) is a type of website or part of a website. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order. Blog can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.

Collaborative Editing

Collaborative editing is the practice of groups producing works together through individual contributions. Effective choices in group awareness, participation, and coordination are critical to successful collaborative writing outcomes.

Genealogy-Specific Social Networks

What is social networking? According to Wictionary, it is the interaction between a group of people who share a common interest.

General Social Networking (Facebook)

General social networks or friends-based social networks are those that do not focus on a particular topic or niche, but rather put the emphasis on staying connected to your friends. The more popular of these being Facebook, but there are a number of popular friends-based social networks on the internet.

Message Boards and Mailing Lists

While mailing lists and message boards are similar in purpose, the difference lies in the way the information is distributed. With mailing lists, with every message that is posted to the list, a copy is sent to all of the list's subscribers. In addition, most lists have an online archive where past messages can also be searched.

Message boards are online forums where each message is posted to the board. Users can choose to receive notifications when items are posted to boards of interest. Message boards are also searchable.

Photos and Video Sharing

Photo sharing is the publishing or transfer of a user's digital photos online, thus enabling the user to share them with others (publicly or privately). This function is provided through both websites and applications that facilitate the upload and display of images. The term can also be loosely applied to the use of online photo galleries that are set up and managed by individual users, including photo blogs.

The first photo sharing sites originated during the mid to late 1990s primarily from services providing online ordering of prints (photo finishing), but many more came into being during the early 2000s with the goal of providing permanent and centralized access to a user's photos, and in some cases video clips too. Webshots, SmugMug, Yahoo! Photos and Flickr were among the first.

Podcast

A podcast (or non-streamed webcast) is a series of digital media files (either audio or video) that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication. The word replaced webcast in common vernacular due to the fame of the iPod and its role in the rising popularity and innovation of web feeds.

RSS Feeds

RSS (Rich Site Summary) is a format for delivering regularly changing web content. Many news-related sites, weblogs and other online publishers syndicate their content as an RSS Feed to whoever wants it.

RSS solves a problem for people who regularly use the web. It allows you to easily stay informed by retrieving the latest content from the sites you are interested in. You save time by not needing to visit each site individually. You ensure your privacy, by not needing to join each site's email newsletter.

Sharing Personal Libraries

Here's a way for genealogists to share their personal libraries with others by using a web site that allows you to catalogue all the books in your personal library, tag them by subject, rate them, review them, and search them from any computer with internet access or even a cell phone. But the best part of all is, you can share your catalogue with all your friends.

Tags

Tags are like keywords or labels that you add to a photo to make it easier to find later. You can tag a photo with phrases like "catherine yosemite hiking mountain trail." Later if you look for pictures of Catherine, you can just click that tag and get all photos that have been tagged that way.

You may also have the right to add tags to your friends' photos, if your friends set that option in the privacy settings for their photos.

Virtual Worlds

A virtual world is a genre of online community that often takes the form of a computer-based simulated environment, through which users can interact with one another and use and create objects.

Wikis

A wiki is a website that anyone can contribute to by creating new pages or editing existing pages. A wiki makes it easy for a dispersed community to work together, furthering common goals and sharing information. One way to use wiki’s is to share research tips with others.

We’ve all learned things as we’ve researched our family history – how to research in specific places, where to find and how to use certain kinds of sources, how culture, ethnicity, and occupation can provide additional leads, etc. Why should people starting out have to learn these same lessons all over again? What if there was a way for you to share what you’ve learned with others – giving them the benefit of your experience as they start out?

It seems that if we make family history research easier for beginners to get involved in, then more people will take it up as an interest, which benefits everyone. More people doing family history means more people available to transcribe records, greater incentive for business to provide better software and access to information.

FIVE PLACES TO FIND WEDDING INFORMATION

2011-05-10T12:25:00.002-05:00

By Mary Penner, genealogist 09 May 2011

Even when all of the signs seem to indicate that a certain great-great-aunt was married, it can still be tough trying to determine when, where, with whom and how many times she tied the knot. It’s even tougher when marriage records are AWOL from a county courthouse or when you just don’t know where to look.
It turns out there are great sources at Ancestry.com that hold clues to past trips down the aisle. Here are five of my favorites:
1. Census records. Marital status hints first appeared in the 1850 census when residents were asked if they had married within the year. Census takers posed this same question in 1860, 1870 and 1880. It’s a handy detail to have. For example, in 1860 William and Adeline Knapp were newlyweds, but a nine-year-old boy with a different surname lived with them. Does that mean there was a previous marriage for Adeline? (Check the 1850 census for an Adeline using the same surname as the little boy to see if you’re onto something.) In 1900, census takers asked for the number of years married. In 1910 they clarified that question by asking for the number of years in the present marriage. In 1930 they inquired about your ancestors’ age at first marriage. A little math will help you determine if that was the same marriage as the one they’re in during 1930.
2. Draft records. The military wanted to know if potential soldiers were single or married. You may land upon a clue to a previous marriage when a draft registration from the Civil War or World War I lists a single man with dependent children.
3. City directories and gazetteers. These forerunners of phone books are dandy sources for spotting widows. That’s because they often noted which women were widows, and sometimes were kind enough to include the name of the deceased husband, too.
4. Death records. Most death certificates include the deceased’s marital status; some include the spouse’s name. Pay close attention to the informant’s name: it could be the spouse, since he or she was the one who often provided the death certificate details.
5. Newspapers. Historical newspapers frequently chronicled the vital events of our ancestors’ lives including engagement and marriage notices. Divorces often made the news, too. Review obituaries for your ancestor and other family members as well – you may learn maiden names or the name of a deceased spouse.

A Few Recommended Online Resources -- Available anywhere, from anywhere

2011-05-05T17:46:00.003-05:00

Ancestry.com (fee-based)

www.ancestry.com

Bible Records

www.biblerecords.com

Cyndi’s List

www.cyndislist.com

Daughters of the Revolution 1776

http://www.germangenealogygroup.com

DistantCousin Genealogy

www.distantcousin.com

Godfrey Memorial Library (fee-based)

www.godfrey.org

Heritage Quest (fee-based)

www.heritagequestonline.com

LDS Family History Library

www.familysearch.org

RootsWeb

www.rootsweb.com

The World GenWeb Project

www.worldgenweb.org

Vital Records

Home.att.net/~wee-monster/deathrecords.html
www.deathindexes.com

Obituaries

www.ObitsArchive.com
www.rootsweb.com/~obituary/
www.arrangeonline.com

Library's Obituary Database

h ttp://pbjclibrary.state.ar.us/obits/obits.htm

Cemeteries

www.FindaGrave.com
www.Interment.net

Post your question & offer a reward!

www.unsolvedancestry.com

Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness

www.raogk.org

Genealogy Photo Archive

www.deadfred.com

Genealogy Research Using Google Filetype Searches

2011-03-24T11:15:00.000-05:00

Google has a nifty tool that allows you to locate a particular type of file. This can be very helpful if you're looking specifically for file types, such as PowerPoint, (ppt) Word, (doc) or Adobe PDF.

To restrict your search to a certain file type use the filetype: command. For example try searching for:

genealogy WorldCat filetype:ppt

and all of the results will be powerpoint presentations that have "WorldCat" and "genealogy" in their text.

More on FileTypes:
There are 13 main file types searched by Google in addition to standard web formatted documents in HTML. The most common formats are PDF, PostScript, Microsoft Office formats:

Adobe Portable Document Format (pdf)
Adobe PostScript (ps)
Lotus 1-2-3 (wk1, wk2, wk3, wk4, wk5, wki, wks, wku)
Lotus WordPro (lwp)
MacWrite (mw)
Microsoft Excel (xls)
Microsoft PowerPoint (ppt)
Microsoft Word (doc)
Microsoft Works (wks, wps, wdb)
Microsoft Write (wri)
Rich Text Format (rtf)
Shockwave Flash (swf)
Text (ans, txt)

You can also eliminate a filetype from your search (for example, PDF), simply add a minus (-) sign before the word "filetype." For example:
-filetype:pdf

Genealogy PowerSearch using Google

2011-03-24T10:32:00.001-05:00

Learn how to find your family tree on the Internet with these tips for advanced genealogy searching. Special genealogy search techniques teach you how to find what you are looking for - surnames, place names, birth dates, timelines, photos, history,

Using Google you can use a range of commands — some basic and others more advanced — to obtain more relevant results for your family history research. Below are just a few examples.

Genealogy PowerSearch #1
This first Genealogy PowerSearch uses five basic Google commands in conjunction with one another to yield one of the most important queries you can submit for any of your ancestors.

Try this PowerSearch

Genealogy PowerSearch for Google Images
An adaptation of PowerSearch #1, but with results directed toward Google Image Search. This search makes use of six Google commands in conjunction with one another to deliver relevant image results for your family history search.

Try this PowerSearch

Genealogy BlogSearch
There are a number of outstanding blogs dealing with different aspects of genealogy and family history. If you wish to search a particular person, place or subject and limit your results to just these sites, you can use either the site: command or Google Blog Search. In the example below, you can see the syntax that would be used to find any mention of "Connecticut Genealogy" in the popular Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter (site:eogn.com).

Try this PowerSearch

GEDCOM Search and Other File Types
Google enables you to specify the name of an ancestor, narrow results to a specific geographic area, and a file format for the most relevant results. In the example below, the search is looking for the exact name "Patrick Lynch" with mention of Connecticut. The filetype:ged directs Google to return only those results that include a file in the standard GEDCOM file format used for exchange of family tree files (GEnealogical Data COMmunication).

Try this PowerSearch

Genealogy PowerSearch using Google Maps
Google Maps is tightly integrated with a service called Google Local. By specifying sites of genealogical interest and the place name where your ancestors lived, you can quickly plot their locations on a map and obtain address information and driving directions. In the example below, Google was instructed to find cemeteries in or near Boston.

Try this PowerSearch

Genealogy Database Search on Leading Sites
By using a combination of basic commands, you can direct a Google Web search to find databases for a topic of interest on one or more of the leading content sites for genealogy. In the example below, Google is directed to search Ancestry.com pages using the site:ancestry.com command, seeking the terms database and texas death records. This is a quick way to determine if leading content sites have records that may be of special interest for your search.

Try this PowerSearch

Directed Search on Government Archive Web Sites
You provide the topic of interest then select one of the various International government archive websites from this list provided. We'll initiate a query using Google's powerful site: command.

Try this PowerSearch

PowerSearch for the Directory of Archives in Australia
The Australian Society of Archivists have a wonderful website with links to many of the archives located throughout the country, state by state. A customized PowerSearch using the Google 'site:' command extends the capabilities of searching this great site. Hopefully you will find this useful as well.

Try this PowerSearch

Original DAR Document Loaned to Library's Genealogy Department

2010-11-01T17:38:00.000-05:00


Pictured from Left: Mrs. Marjorie Crosby Jones, Mrs. Sharon S. Wyatt, Regent, of the John McAlmont Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Jana Blankenship, Reference Manager at Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Public Library hold the 100-year-old document.

A one-hundred years old original Daughters of the American Revolution document has been recently brought out of storage, framed and presented on loan to the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Public Library.

The document, dated June 2nd, 1911, was given to Mrs. Julia McAlmont Noel, then State Regent of Arkansas, by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Mrs. Noel has been elected Regent of the Arkansas State Society on April 21st, 1911.

The large, fifteen by thirteen inch, fragile certificate with seal and ribbon still attached, was discovered by Mr. Stewart Sanders while going through the DAR memorabilia of his late mother, Mrs. Harlow (Pauline Drake) Sanders, who died in 1991. Mrs. Sanders was a former member and officer in John McAlmont Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution.

Mr. Sanders gave the document to Mrs. Marjorie Crosby Jones who had helped his wife, Ceil Sanders, prepare her papers to become a member of DAR. Mrs. Jones, having written a History of John McAlmont Chapter, NSDAR Wataseka District while serving as historian of the chapter, knew the significance of the document. Mrs. Jones, after much research, had the document framed using archival techniques. She also had a copy made and framed to be enjoyed by the John McAlmont Chapter DAR.

The Little Rock Chapter Daughers of the American Revolution, organized in 1894, and the Mary Percival Chapter of Van Buren, chartered in 1900, were the first two DAR chapters in Arkansas. The State Regent, Mrs. Lucien Coy, who served from 1905 to 1907, recognized the need for a chapter in Pine Bluff. She persuaded a member of the Little Rock Chapter, who was a resident of Pine Bluff, to take a membership-at- large in order to be appointed Organizing Regent of the new Chapter. Her name was Mrs. James William (Julia McAlmont) Noel.

The organizational meeting of the John McAlmont Chapter was held May 12th, 1906. The charter granted by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was presented October 25th, 1906.

Mrs. Julia McAlmont Noel helped organize the first State DAR Conference held at the Marion Hotel, Little Rock, Arkansas, on February 22nd, 1909.

The document may be viewed in the Genealogy Department of the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Public Library in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Pine Bluff History in Postcards

2010-09-03T11:24:00.006-05:00

For ancestors who lived during the 20th century, postcards are a delightful way to learn more about their lives and communities. 'Picture' postcards were very popular worldwide by the dawn of the 20th century due to their novelty and the fact that postage was cheap. From automobiles to street scenes and hairstyles to people, postcards provide enticing glimpses into the past.

If you are lucky enough to have postcards sent or received by your ancestors you may learn tidbits of information about the family, gain handwriting samples and even find addresses to help you track family movements. Even if you aren't fortunate enough to have access to a family postcard collection, you can often find postcards depicting your ancestor's hometown, clothing styles of the time period, etc.

Start with the local historical society in the area in which your ancestor lived or at local antique stores. Many postcard collections can be found posted online, and postcards can also be obtained through online auction sites.

Look to postcards as a wonderful way for illuminating the lives of your ancestors, as well as for spicing up your family history books, scrapbooks and other genealogy projects.

Please visit a wonderful site which will walk you through the History of Pine Bluff in Postcards from 1882 to the present. This is a wonderful site, posted by Paul Perdue, which gives a visual history of the beautiful city we call home.

Acknowledgments by Paul Perdue

Welcome to pinebluffpostcards.com

Who knew there were so many postcards from Pine Bluff? I began collecting them over 20 years ago and now have more than I ever thought possible. In the first few years, I found the postcards the old-fashioned way – at flea markets & antique shops. Just when I thought I must have every old card from Pine Bluff, another five would turn up.

I only had about 20 PB postcards when a co-worker told me about this little on-line auction thing called “eBay”. After mastering eBay my collection doubled, tripled and quadrupled, eventually surging out of control (and out of my little plastic card file) with no less than 468 postcards, with, apparently, no end in sight.

Old Pine Bluff postcards are everywhere. I'll bet I’ve bought them from eBay dealers from every state in the nation. After all, the last place to look for a used postcard is in the place of origin, right? (And besides, I live in Dallas, Texas.) And without eBay, most of these little pieces of Pine Bluff would be catching dust in antique shops all over the country, never to be discovered (by me, anyway).

I would be remiss in not thanking the new friends I've made the last several years who have also helped me fill out my collection.

Ray Hanley, that guru of Arkansas postcards, unselfishly opened his collection and provided great copies of many cards I did not have.

Regina Priest, between shifts at JRMC, gave me access to her collection, providing me with some great ones I had never seen.

Karlyn Spencer, who came to Pine Bluff all the way from Tennessee to share her collection.

Sue Trulock at the Jefferson County Historical Museum for loaning me cards to copy.

Allen Whitwell, my favorite Pine Bluff postcard eBay competitor, has provided me with lots of good ones.

Ernie Wallis provided the wonderful card of the three couples in the hot air balloon setting – one of which is my Great Aunt Evelyn Perdue.

Johnie Martin (Design By Jmar), who has a done a great job with designing and building this site.

And there’s more! I already have a stash of new acquisitions to add, and have agreements with other collectors to get theirs onto the site, as well. Plus, there will be new features added to this site after I catch my breath. So add www.pinebluffpostcards.com to your favorite sites and keep checking in.

We’d love your comments and suggestions (or fact errors) on the comments page. And if some of these postcard scenes jog your memory, please tell us about that, too. This site could eventually serve as a memory book for all Pine Bluffians, past and present.

And if you have any old Pine Bluff postcards that I don’t, please contact me. (If you don’t want to part with them, I only need a color copy or scan.)

Paul Perdue
twoperdues@aol.com

Copyright © 2007 Pine Bluff Postcards. All rights reserved.

Funeral Cards

2010-08-05T15:51:00.000-05:00

Uncovering death information about an ancestor can frequently reveal details about his or her life and family that would be difficult to find in any other source. Obituaries frequently include birth, marriage, and death dates and places of the deceased, the maiden name of a wife, children names, parents’ names, occupations, places of residence, and highlights of his/her life.

Funeral cards are an overlooked genealogical resource. Funeral cards and mourning cards sent to friends and relatives to announce funeral times and dates and the death of an individual often contain both the birth and death date.

Unfortunately, not every ancestor had an obituary published revealing these details for the benefit of descendants. Instead, some people discover printed memorial or funeral cards in collections of their parents or relatives. While these cards don’t give the range of detail often found in obituaries, they can still be of great value in furthering research.

Lineage Societies: the Well-Known, the Obscure -- How to Apply Successfully

2010-04-27T13:08:00.002-05:00

By Carolyn L. Barkley

     Membership in a lineage society is a research objective for many genealogists. A successful application requires a great deal of research not only into the specific lineage involved, but also into the society’s reason for being. While status is one reason for joining a lineage society, membership can also provide recognition for and validation of your research by a society genealogist, can facilitate access to otherwise unavailable information, and provides a means to preserve your research and make it accessible to others. In addition, you may be able to meet researchers with common interests at local or state chapter meetings and receive informative publications or attend educational programs that will further your research. This week’s article discusses various types of lineage societies and provides some general strategies for completing a successful application.
     Your first step will be to identify a lineage society for whose membership you qualify. The most comprehensive printed source for society information is the Hereditary Society Blue Book (Genealogical Publishing Co. 1994, currently on sale at genealogical.com). Entries in this title include the insignia of the organization, its founding date, a brief description of eligibility, membership total, and a contact address and phone number. The volume also indicates when membership is by invitation only.
An independently created web site lists the societies from the Hereditary Society Blue Book and provides links to “sites that were created by societies having their own page in the Blue Book.” This web site does not duplicate any of the information contained in the Blue Book, other than the list. At least two cautions should be noted for its use, however. First, I could not determine the date of the creation (or update) of this site. In addition, when I followed the link for the Society of the Cincinnati, I found that I was connected to a page that promoted the purchase of a book. Only after scrolling down the page to other links, did I find membership information (although I was not linked to a Society of the Cincinnati web site). Perhaps the information is included in this fashion in order to make general information accessible to the user in one location. For example, when I then Googled “Society of the Cincinnati,” I discovered that state chapters of this organization have their own individual web sites.
     A site that I found very useful is “Lineages.com” which provides the ability to search for lineage societies in a variety of categories, including by state (drop down box on right hand side). URLs are provided when available.
     The links I have provided below, however, are to the membership or general information pages of specific societies found by searching (via Google) for the actual name of the society after I had identified it in the Heritage Society Blue Book.
     Perhaps some of the best known lineage societies are those whose membership is tied to an ancestor’s military service: the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, the General Society Sons of the Revolution, the Society of the Cincinnati, the National Society United States Daughters of 1812, the Military Society of the War of 1812, the Aztec Club of 1847, the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and the Sons of Confederate Veterans, among others.
Some societies base their membership on colonial descent. Examples include the National Society Children of the American Colonists, the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, the National Society of Old Plymouth Colony Descendants, the National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century, such state-level organizations as the Sons and Daughters of the First Settlers of Massachusetts, the Order of First Families of Virginia, and the Dutch Colonial Society of Delaware.
     Other society memberships may be based on such criteria as: settlers of specific states (the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and the Sons and Daughters of Oregon Pioneers); royal lineages (the Hereditary Order of the Descendants of the Kings of Scotland, and the Plantagenet Society); colony founders (Society of the Ark and Dove[Maryland], and the General Society of Mayflower Descendants); historic events (the Baronial Order of the Magna Charta); political office (the Hereditary Order Descendants of Colonial Governors); occupations (the Flagon and Trencher, and the Order of Descendants of Colonial Physicians and Chirurgiens); and country of origin (Holland Society of New York, and the Swedish Colonial Society).
     Some of my favorite lineage societies are the quainter or more obscure (at least to me) organizations such as: the Associated Daughters of Early American Witches, open to “women sixteen years of age or older who are able to prove descent from an ancestor or ancestress accused, tried or executed for the practice of witchcraft prior to 31 December 1699,” with a membership (in 1994) of 100; and the Order of Daedalians. The Hereditary Society Blue Book indicated (in 1994) that this latter society had, as “founder members,” anyone who served as a “commissioned officer in any component of the United States Armed Forces holding a rating as a military pilot of heavier-than-air powered aircraft,” prior to 12 November 1918. “Named members” include any “commissioned military pilot of heavier-than-air powered aircraft…active or retired, who is accepted as a member to perpetuate the membership of a Founder Member.” “Hereditary members” are the descendants, real or adopted of a Founder Member. This group had a membership of 17,000. The order’s current web site clarifies membership requirements stating that “U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine or Navy pilots of heavier-than-air, powered aircraft, active, retired, Reserve or Guard who hold or held a commission, warrant or flight officer status, or WASP are eligible for membership in the Order. Membership is not restricted with respect to age, sex, race, etc.”
     Clearly, lineage societies appeal to a wide variety of interests and eligibility. Once you have selected a society to join, however, several steps are necessary to insure a successful application. Remember, that while your genealogical research skills enable you to complete the application process, the individual society may also make requests of you with regard to the organization and format of information to be submitted.

Learn about the society you have selected. While published or online compiled information is a valuable first-step, make sure that you are using up-to-date information. Where is the society located? Does it provide access to member applications? If so, how can you access these applications? Does it provide research assistance? Some societies have individuals who can help you with problem-solving related to your application. Does the society have resource materials for research use?

     Learn about the society’s eligibility requirements and membership application process. If the society has a web site, consult that site to determine who is eligible to join and how to apply. Many sites provide specific forms for you to complete and specific details for the justification that is required to accompany the application. If a web site created by the society is not available – or appears to be out-of-date – search other sites to obtain the society’s current address. Write a letter requesting membership information and any applicable forms. Read the information you receive from either the web site or by mail very carefully and follow them “to the letter.”
     Some societies require a preliminary application and grant a conditional acceptance before inviting your formal application. In such a case, note the cost required. Do you send it with the preliminary application, or only with the full submitted application? If with the former, is any amount of the cost refundable if you are not accepted?
     If the society is a membership-by-invitation-only type of organization, inquire how to identify possible sponsors. Are there any members in your local or state society? Do any friends or neighbors belong or know someone who does?

Organize your documentation carefully, numbering and labeling each item with your name, the name of the individual and event to which a document pertains, and the source of the information. Clear identification of your work allows it to be linked easily to the appropriate portion of your application form. Submit only photocopies of documents, not originals. Neatness is, as always, a virtue.

Provide documentation from original sources as often as possible.

Verifying genealogists in lineage societies review many applications and associated documentation. Make the information you are submitting as easy to understand as possible. If the document contains information unrelated to your application, mark your documentation by underlining it with a red pen; do not use highlighter. If your application is later photocopied or microfilmed by the society, highlighted information will be rendered illegible. In addition, include a cover sheet summary of your documentation indicating the number of the generation, the name of the individual(s), and the titles of that documents that prove that specific element of the lineage.

If you feel that the application process exceeds your research comfort level, consider hiring a genealogist who specializes in lineage research. You can identify such individuals on the Association of Professional Genealogists web site. Hiring a professional may be particularly helpful if you have had an application rejected and returned for additional documentation.

These five steps are very basic. For more in-depth help, read “Lineage Papers,” Chapter 24 in Professional Genealogy (Genealogical Publishing Co., 2009).

(I hope that this information will encourage you to identify a lineage society that is applicable to your research and provide you with the skills to complete a successful application.)

Using Service Records in Your Genealogy Research

2010-02-05T11:42:00.012-06:00

Footnote.com and the National Archives Release New Vietnam War Photos and Records Online

-Over 27,000 Photos And Records Are Added To The Largest Online Vietnam War Collection

Lindon, UT – February 4, 2010 – Footnote.com announced a major addition to its Vietnam War Collection: Army Photos and Unit Service Awards. Now totaling over 100,000 photos and documents, this collection helps visitors gain a better perspective and appreciation for this often misunderstood event in U.S. History.

Army Unit Service Awards include documents relating to Presidential Unit Citations, Valorous Unit Awards and Meritorious Unit Commendations. These were usually awarded to units going above and beyond the call of duty, and in most cases, showing exceptional valor. These documents contain:

· Dates of service

· Duties performed

· Letters of recommendation

The Army Photos feature various activities of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. In nearly every case there is a caption or description of what was happening and the names of the soldiers featured in the photos. Everything ranging from daily duties to Bob Hope’s Christmas program is captured, providing a glimpse into what life was like for the soldiers.

In addition to these new records, the Footnote Vietnam War Collection also includes:

· The Interactive Vietnam Veterans Memorial – featuring service records for each name on the wall

· Photos of the Marine Corps in Vietnam - color

· Photos of the Marine Corps in Vietnam - black and white

Footnote.com will continue to work with the National Archives to add more Vietnam War content online.

The Vietnam War Collection will be made free to the public during the month of February. To view these documents, visit www.footnote.com/vietnam.

About Footnote, Inc.

Footnote.com is a subscription website that features original historical documents, providing visitors with an unaltered view of the events, places and people that shaped the American nation and the world. At Footnote.com, all are invited to come share, discuss, and collaborate on their discoveries with friends, family, and colleagues. For more information, visit http://www.footnote.com.

Free Site for

Vietnam

Interactive Wall

http://www.virtualwall.org/iStates.htm

Information about the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
in Washington, DC, USA

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, USA, "The Wall" now has carved into it the names of the 58,260 American military personnel (eight were women) who were direct casualties of the war, including about 1300 who are still considered Missing In Action (MIA).

When The Wall was built, there were 57,159 names. A few names have been added each year: those where lost records of wartime death were found later or those names of men who died after the war from physical injuries as a result of the war. Each of the branches of the Department of Defense made and continues to make the determinations of eligibility.

Enhanced U.S. Census Collection Lanched by Ancestry.com

2009-12-10T17:13:00.009-06:00

The following announcement was written by Ancestry.com:

In a survey last year, top on the wish list of Ancestry.com members was improved images for U.S. Federal Censuses, one of the richest sources of information for family history searches. Improving this collection has been a top priority at Ancestry.com throughout 2009.

Today we’ve launched enhancements for six U. S. Census Collections – in addition to the improvements on six censuses released a few months ago. In all, we’ve gone through more than 200 million records to improve images and many indexes.

Enhanced and clearer images are now available for the 1790-1900 censuses, and indexes have been improved for the 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1900 censuses. All of the images have a cleaner, crisper look. And occasionally names can be read that were illegible before—either because they were too light, too dark, too blurry, too faded, or covered in tape, etc.

If you have had a hard time finding your ancestors in these censuses, it’s time to search again. Images already attached to family trees will be automatically updated, so census records saved there can easily be revisited.

What you’ll find:

Clearer images for 1790-1900 censuses
NEW: 1800, 1830, 1840, 1860, 1870
Better indexes for 1850, 1860, 1870, 1900 censuses – NEW: 1860, 1870
1910, 1920 and 1930 in the works
Saved records to your tree automatically update with improved image

With twelve improved Census collections — and the remaining three Censuses in the works — now’s the perfect time to dig in or renew the search for the missing pieces in your family story.

"Ancestry Library Edition is available inside any of our five library locations."

ARKANSAS GENEALOGY ROAD SHOW

2009-11-01T11:42:00.000-06:00

The Arkansas Genealogical Society & Grand Prairie Genealogical Society are co-sponsoring an upcoming ARKANSAS GENEALOGY ROAD SHOW. This event will be held at the Phillips Community College, 2807 Highway 165 South, Stuttgart, Arkansas on Saturday, March 13, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is FREE!

For more information visit the Arkansas Genealogical Society Website or email Jan Davenport at jhdavenport@comcast.net

New Genealogy Books Added to Collection

2009-10-28T17:33:00.031-05:00

What Did They Mean By That?: A Dictionary of Historical and Genealogical Terms Old and New -- By Paul Drake

More What Did They Mean By That?: A Dictionary of Historical and Genealogical Terms: Old and New Dictionary of Historical and Genealogical Terms -- By: Paul Drake

The "Show Me" Guide to Missouri: Sources for Genealogical and Historical Research -- By: Sherida K. Eddlemon

The Aden Family of Pine Bluff -- By: David L. Gannaway

The Gannaway Family of Pine Bluff and Warren -- By: David L. Gannaway

Using Land Records to Solve Research Problems -- By: Wendy L. Elliott

The Watkins Family of Isle of Wight County, Virginia -- By: Dorothy Wright Watkins

Some Alabama Pioneers -- By: Madge Pettit

Selected Final Pension Payment Vouchers, 1818-1864. Alabama Revolutionary War Records -- By: Alycon Trubey Pierce

Natchez Postscripts, 1781-1798 -- By: Carol Wells

Columbia County, Arkansas Cemeteries -- By: Marcia Chapman, Doris Fletcher and Rebecca Wilson

Columbia County, Arkansas Obituary Index, 1948 to 2004 -- By: Marcia Chapman and Rebecca Wilson

Revolutionary Soldiers in Kentucky: Containing a roll of the officers of Virginia line who received land bounties; a roll of the Revolutionary Pensioners in Kentucky; a list of the Illinois Regiment who served under George Rogers Clark in the Northwest Campaign; also a roster of the Virginia Navy -- By: Anderson Chenault Quisenberry

The Surname Index, 1982

Genealogical Gems From Early Missouri Deeds, 1815-1850: Family and Locality Information From Selected Missouri County Land Records -- By: Marsha Hoffman Rising

History of the Colored Race in America: Containing also their ancient and modern life of Africa, modes of living, employments, customs, habits, social life, etc., the origin and development of slavery in the Old World and its introduction in the American continent, the slave trade, slavery, and its abolition in Europe and America, the Civil War, emancipation, education and advancement of the Colored Race, their civil and political rights -- By William T. Alexander

Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia (Illustrated) From Its Formation in 1738 to 1908 -- By: T. K. Cartmell

Compendium of The Confederate Armies: Mississippi -- By: Stewart Sifakis

The First Families of Louisiana: An Index to Glenn R. Conrad's 2-Volume Series of 1970 -- By: Donna Rachal Mills and Glenn R. Conrad

Arkansas Place Names -- By: Ernie Deane

LIBRARY CARD CATALOG:

Genealogy Book Index

2009-10-27T20:56:00.004-05:00

In addition to our obituary index, we have a genealogy book index, which consists of books in the library's Arkansas section of genealogy. These books were not among the ones that already had an index, so we created one for them. There are various types of Arkansas genealogy books that we've done such as: cemeteries, churches, schools, biographies and history of some the counties here within the state.
I've had several people ask, "what's the purpose of creating an index for a book?" Well, to a person that is doing research, it could provide more information than what an obituary did not list. Some books may not give that much information if the name is found, but it may be linked to another name that may be helpful in some other way.

Currently we have over 155,000 names in our database and have indexed over 129 books. For more information on the index or how to request a copy, go to the library's home page, http://pbjclibrary.state.ar.us/ At the bottom of the home page click on, Genealogy Book Search and click on “About Index” or “Request Photocopy” tabs.

Library's Obituary Index

2009-10-22T13:58:00.017-05:00

The Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Library System has indexed the deaths and obituaries for the Pine Bluff Commercial, and all of the other newspapers published in Jefferson County for which we have microfilm copies for. Currently this index contains over 267,500 entries. All back issues have been indexed, so it grows daily only as more obituaries are published in the newspaper. The Main Library’s Reference Manager, Jana Blankenship, with the help of her assistant, Sylvia Moore, put this index together with the help of other full time and part time staff, and two special volunteers.

This index has been very valuable to many who have not only Jefferson County ancestry, but ancestry from surrounding counties and throughout Southeast Arkansas. We started computerizing our index in 2003, and by the end of that year we had input over 50,000 names. We started to extract names from the back issues with the excellent help of our volunteers. By the end of 2008, we had nearly all of the back issues entered into the database.

When a person finds someone in the index, they have the choice of coming into our Library (or find a closer Library which carries the particular newspaper) and copy the notice themselves (at 25 cents per printout on the microfilm machine), they can hire someone to do this for them (cost unknown), or they can send $7.50 to the Library and staff will find the notice, print it out, and mail it to the person who requested it. When the same person is in the index more than once, and this information is provided as part of the request, we will copy each and every notice for this one price. Over the past few years we have been fulfilling around 250–275 requests per year.

How can this information be used? Well, anyone who knows anything about Genealogy knows that an obituary can be either a wealth of information, or it will only provide a death date. We have seen a few where the only information in the newspaper was, “So and so died this past Tuesday…” But we have also seen the information provide names of spouses, children, parents, the street they lived on, what they died from, and/or other interesting and valuable information. It is kinda like playing the lottery, sometimes you win, sometimes you don’t….but I think your chances of winning “valuable information” from our database are much better than winning anything of value from the lottery.

Each week a fellow Rotarian and local Pine Bluff resident, Joe Dempsey, sends out an email with his “photo of the week”. On Sunday, September 20, 2009, his photo was from Maple Hill Cemetery near Helena, Arkansas. It was a statue of a Dog, and is best described in Joe’s own words: “Pedro, I surmise, was the beloved pet of the late Dr. Emile Overton Moore. As he has done every year since 1895, the loyal hound waits in perpetuity for his slain master.” He went on to say that “Dr. Moore died at the hand of a fellow man.” This intrigued me, so I checked the Obituary Database to see if the Pine Bluff newspapers carried the story. Joe had included the inscription, which in part read, “DR. EMILE OVERTON MOORE, BORN OCT. 2 1854, MURDERED FEB. 16, 1893”.

Here it is Monday morning, I have lots to do, but I am “caught up” in it. I search the database for EMILE OVERTON MOORE, and get no hits. I search for EMILE, since this is not a common name, and get some hits, but not for anyone by the last name of MOORE. Starting to think that I was chasing an imaginary dog, I decided to try one more search, MOORE 1893, and I got some hits, two hits which were just what I was searching for.

Above, results of the search. Below, the information provided when the first record is clicked.

I asked Jana if they would get me copies of these two notices, and after I read them, I sent them on to Joe. Joe gets them on Tuesday, sends me a “BIG THANKS”, edits his “Photo of the week” posting where he adds the following:

--------------------------------
Newspaper accounts of Dr. Moore’s murder took a different tack than the verbiage etched in stone. On page six of the February 24, 1893, Pine Bluff Graphic, this account is found: “Dr. Overton Moore was shot and instantly killed Thursday evening of last week by Dr. C. R. Shimault. It is claimed the shooting was in self defense.”

A couple of days earlier on February 21, 1893, The Pine Bluff Weekly Press Eagle printed this report on page two: “Dr. Overton Moore was shot and killed by Dr. C. R. Shimault at Helena last Sunday. Moore began a quarrel with Shimault because the latter had responded to a call to attend to one of the former’s patients. The deceased was a very dangerous man and a terror to the community when drinking.”

The newspaper accounts agree that Dr. Moore was murdered and “whodunit.” They disagree on the exact date. We would probably all agree that Pedro was probably the most despondent of all. (This information was kindly furnished by the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Library System).
--------------------------------

This just goes to show you the type of information you might get from newspaper accounts of deaths. There was no obituary, just the story of a shooting, which caused the death of Dr. Moore, which led to a wonderful monument with a statue of Pedro on top, and which eventually led to Joe’s picture, which you can see when you visit his “Photo of the Week” for Sunday, September 20, 2009.

2010 Census Cautions From The Better Business Bureau

2009-10-15T14:27:00.007-05:00

by Susan Johnson -- August 3, 2009

Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers

With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.

The big question is -- how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con-artist?

BBB offers the following advice:

If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a hand held device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into your home.

Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census. While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, the Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.

Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit: www.bbb.org

(This information was sent to me through an e-mail)