New Updates Coming at AncestryDNA!

Nicka Smith shares some new updates with AncestryDNA

Online Database for Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi Property Records

I’ll probably do a more in-depth post, video or even both on property record research using this database, but I just wanted to share with you all one site that has been really helpful for me when searching for property records for my Baldwin County Alabama ancestors and relatives. With Delta Computer Systems (deltacomputersystems.com)  you can search two Louisiana Parishes, 12 Alabama counties, 48 Mississippi counties and two Mississippi cities. I am only focused on Baldwin County right now so I am not sure what information the other areas provide, if there are any fees for accessing records or how far they go back in record search. I know the Baldwin County site goes back until the early 1900s and some of the records on the site are free to search and download.

I find the Baldwin County site is pretty easy to use, I just put in the last name of the person I am searching for in the search box,  in return I get a list of names, type of record, file date and the actual record in a PDF or TIF version. I can narrow down the list of names but I keep it broad so I can browse others in the area with the particular surname I am looking for.

I do not live anywhere close to the state of Alabama so accessing these records would either have to be done in person when I take my research/road trips or by having  someone search for me. Having free access to this site makes it 10 times easier, I know the Baldwin County records are constantly updated so I am sure to check the site at least once a month. If you are doing research in Alabama, Louisiana or Mississippi in these specific counties or cities definitely visit Delta Computer Systems to see what property information you can find for your family over the internet.

 

 

BlackProGen LIVE! Ep 116: 2020 Midwest African American Genealogy Institute

 

MAAGI goes virtual, “Take a bird’s eye look into the 2020 Midwest African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI) from the perspective of the students and alumni.”

BlackProGen LIVE! Ep 114: In Case Stuff: Using Insurance Records in Genealogy Research

“There literally has been insurance for just about anything and that means there’s also a lengthy paper trail! Learn how you can utilize insurance records to trace the enslavement of ancestors, track occupations for ancestors, and get a bird’s eye view into the everyday lives of the family members you’re researching.”

BlackProGen LIVE! Ep 112: The Count: Behind the 1920 and 1930 US Census

BlackProGen LIVE! Ep 110: Court Records for People of Color Family History Research

In case you missed the episode 110 be sure to watch the video below.

Ancestors Binder

 

Learning and Organizing

 

While staying home I have been trying to use my time wisely so I have decided to take a free online genealogy course called Researching Your Family Tree on Futurelearn.com (they have an array of free courses).  The course is cool and it offers some really good information and research tips all for free.

I am also getting my genealogical documents more organized (paper and digital).  I have  started organizing a 2 inch three D ring binder for my maternal ancestors. Each ancestor will get an ancestor profile page with their general personal information on it, and a family group sheet, then I’ll add all the documents I have found for that ancestor in chronological order. Once I have one ancestor completed I will make a little video and take pictures to show you what I have.

What are you doing to stay busy if you have to stay home during the pandemic? 

BlackProGen LIVE! Ep 109: Tracing the Trade: Slavery in North and South Carolina

“North and South Carolina were important locations when it comes to slavery within the United States and the migration of the enslaved from the upper south to the lower south. In this episode, learn the ins and outs of researching the slave trade in these two important locations.”

10 Best Genealogy and History YouTube Channels

BlackProGen LIVE! Is on Family Tree Magazine’s 10 Best Genealogy and History YouTube Channels.