May 13

Ten Tech Tools & Tips

Flip Pal Scanner, Magic Wand Scanner, RootsMagic To Go

I like tech items very much. I especially like gadgets that make my research easier. Tools that help me scan documents, digitize photos, store, enter and share data are at the top of my list of favorite things. Below is a list of some tech items that I like to use along with some tips. I hope this list will give you some helpful ideas. I am not connected with these companies in any way. I just like and use their products.

1. Flip Pal Scanner. Many genealogists I know think this product is a very handy tool and I agree. Even if you are not interested in genealogy you may like this product to digitize your photos or for scrap-booking purposes.  It is a portable scanner about 10 x 6 inches, a little smaller than my Mini Notebook. It runs on 4 AA batteries and uses an SD card to store photos images. The size of its scanning bed is 4 x 6 inches and it will scan photo that size quickly. If a photo is in an album or book and cannot be removed, you can take the cover off of the Flip Pal, flip it over onto the album and scan the photo right in the album. The Flip Pal will also scan large photos by scanning the photo in sections. Flip Pal’s ‘stitching’ software will then put the sections back together, making the photo complete again. The quality of the scanned photo is good. An SD card as well as a USB to SD adapter is included with the Flip Pal. The adapter is handy in case your computer does not have an SD slot. Photos are very easy to transfer to your computer with the SD card. I definitely plan to take my Flip Pal to our Miller Reunion this summer with extra batteries. The Flip Pal website has a nice video to demonstrate the product.

2. Magic Wand Scanner. This little scanner is very portable and easily fits into your purse when you go on a research trip. It is about 1 x 10 inches and uses 2 AA batteries. You simply place the scanner on the document and slowly run the scanner over the document. It stores images on a micro SD card and the images come out quite good. There are two ways you can get the images onto your computer. I prefer to use a micro SD card adapter. I put the micro card into the adapter, which is the size of a regular SD card. I then put the adapter into my SD slot on my computer and upload the images to my computer. You can also transfer your images by using the USB cord that comes with the Magic Wand. I purchased my Magic Wand Scanner a few weeks ago on Ebay at half the regular price. It is refurbished but works just fine. There are several on-line videos that demonstrate the scanner.

3. Evernote. This is a handy program that I use to store and share information, photos and other items between all of my computers and my android phone. It works this way: I downloaded their free program onto my home computers and put their app on my droid. After that I could create and save notes, web addresses, lists, journals, photos, etc. on any of my computers or my phone. When I turn on my computer and am connected to the Internet, all of my devices sync, keeping all my information current. All my information is shared and updated among all my devices. All this information is also stored on the Evernote website. I can access my stored information anywhere, as long as I am on-line.  I just need to log in to view it. I can make a shopping list on my home PC and it will be available on my droid phone when I am at the store. I can journal on my Mini during breakfast and finish the article later on my PC in my office. Data is constantly being synchronized, saved, and stored. Information can be organized by category, in folders. Organized and handy! Evernote also provides a free e-mail account. I have sent items from my Droid via Evernote when I was unable to use my home Internet connection. All this is free. They do have a paid version, their premium account, which provides more storage and the ability to use Microsoft Office documents and other features. I may upgrade in the future, but the free version meets my needs for now.

4. AncestorSync™. Earlier this week, at the NGS conference in Charleston, Dick Eastman reported about this new program. According to their website, “AncestorSync™ enables you to synchronize your family tree, source documents, citations, and notes across all of your computers and a web pedigree of your choice.” This is something I have been waiting for–the ability to store and view genealogical files in “the cloud.” And best of all, Roots Magic will be compatible with it, as well as several other genealogical programs. It will be available in June. I can’t wait to try it!

5. Digital camera. Did you ever think of using your digital camera to take photos of documents at the court house or other repository? Your camera will take great photos of documents when using the close-up setting. Make sure the flash is turned off and that the lighting in the room is good. I can usually hold the camera steady but if that is a problem you may need to stabilize yourself against something or use a small tripod. I have a tripod that was once used for a spotting scope. I try to review and check my photos as I go, just to make sure my images are not blurry. Photographing documents saves the cost of purchasing a hard copy. Plus the document photo is already digitized, ready to upload to your computer. I usually ask permission before I take photos of the record books. I have also used this camera technique to take a photo of an existing photo as well as a microfilm image on a microfilm reader.

6. Digital movie camera. I have several reels of old movies that were filmed by my parents back in the early-mid 50s. It has been years, no decades, since anyone has viewed these movies. These are some great home movies and they need to be digitized before they deteriorate. I just have never found a good place to have them converted. One person said he could do the job. He said he would digitize them by playing the movies and recording them with a digital movie camera. At that point I decided I could probably do this task myself. That would save me some money. Plus I would be able to edit the movies as I record, something that a third party could not do. After discussing the quality of my digital movie camera he said that my camera would record about as good as his would. There you go! This is a project that I have not done yet, but I am ready. I have my parents’ old movie projector (which still works!) and a screen. I plan to use the tripod to mount and steady the camera. I’ll let you know how this project turns out.

7. USB Thumb/Flash Drive. Most of us have these little gadgets now. They can store an unbelievable amount of information. Consider keeping one in your purse or billfold at all times. That way it will always be available in case you want to upload photos or information while visiting someone. That idea could also work in reverse–carry it with you so you can share your photos or information with someone else. Be sure to take one with you when you go to the library. The microfilm machines and digital scanners at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne download to USB flash drives. You can now take digital images home with you instead of paper.

8. Mini Notebook/Netbook Computer.  By now you have probably noticed that I really, really like little technical gadgets. The iPad is a very tempting device that has been calling to me, but so far I have resisted that call. I would love to have one, but I really can’t justify purchasing it. I have my HP Mini Notebook, which meets my needs and which I like very much. It is compact, very portable, has lots of memory, and it is a computer. The iPad is compact and portable but it is not a computer. My Mini has a keyboard. I do a lot of journaling and typing, so having a keyboard is important to me. In fact, a keyboard is a must for me. I also would need a USB port and, from what I have read, I don’t believe the iPad has a USB port. I use a flash drive a lot. I transfer data and photos and use RootsMagic To-Go with a USB flash drive. In addition, I can use my Mini with a digital projector for presentations. I use my Mini each morning while I have breakfast, to check my e-mail and catch up on Facebook. Yes, I think I have talked myself right out of an iPad–at least for the time being.

9. RootsMagic To-Go. I use the Roots Magic genealogy software to record my family information. RootsMagic To-Go, a feature of RootsMagic 4, allows me to upload my RootsMagic family files to a USB flash drive. I can take that flash drive with me and plug it into any computer to view and/or share my family files.

10. Kindle. Although I do not really use my Kindle for genealogy, I love the fact that I can carry my library with me wherever I go. Not only that, but I can download a book wherever I am, with my Kindle 3G phone connection. My Kindle does not have WiFi, which is fine with me. The 3G connection is faster here than our WiFi connection anyway. I can get a 3G connection just about anywhere–another advantage over WiFi. And the Kindle 3-G connection is free. I can go on-line with my Kindle, although it is not the best way to access the Internet. Another great feature of the Kindle is its screen. I can read outside in the sun. There is no glare on the Kindle screen. That is a problem with some other digital reading devices. That feature allows me to pursue one of my favorite summer pastimes–reading on our deck while sipping green tea. Since this blog is now completed, I think I might just do that right now.

Magic Wand Scanner

May 10

Tombstone Tuesday-Mary Ann Cottrell Headington

Mary A Cottrell Headington, Died June 19, 1903, Aged 86y, 8m, 14d, Green Park Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana

This is the tombstone of Mary Ann Cottrell Headington, located in Green Park Cemetery, Portland, Jay County, Indiana. The gravestone is inscribed: Mary A Cottrell Headington, died June 19, 1903, aged 86y, 8m, 14d. Her date of birth was 5 October 1816, calculated from the age given on her tombstone. Mary Ann Cottrell married William Headington on 24 March 1838 in Baltimore County Maryland. (source: Maryland Marriages 1655-1850, abstracts from the Maryland Historical Society, Ancestry.com; his surname was abstracted as Hedrington)

Mary Ann was my fourth great grandmother. I descend from her daughter Elvira, who married Daniel Reid. Mary Ann was the subject of a 1903 Portland newspaper article that I featured in a recent blog, A Snapshot of the Past—Five Generations of My Family.

Mary Ann Cottrell was born in Maryland and died in Portland, Indiana, according to her death record from the Jay County Health Department. Her cause of death was capillary bronchitis and she was a housewife. The record shows a surviving spouse was William Headington, but he had died in 1879.  The information on her death record was taken from Book H-5:28.

Mary Ann’s parents may have been Henry and Mary Cottrell, nee Bently. (source: Jay County, Indiana, 1982, compiled by the Jay County Historical Society) This source is too recent to use as proof, but it gives information for further research. Henry Cottrell and Mary Bently were married 23 March 1801 in Baltimore, Maryland. (source: Maryland Marriages 1655-1850, abstracts)

Mary Ann Cottrell and William Headington had the following children: Elvira (1839-1911), Ruth A (1840-1940), Mary E (1843-1906), Louisa V (c1846-?), Rebecca (c1849-?), Wesley E (c1852-?), Celina (1854-1856), Sarah Ellen (c1857-?). According to the 1900 census, Mary Ann had given birth to ten children but only six were living in 1900.

Mary Ann Cottrell Headington (1816-1903) Photo taken c1898

May 06

Here Come the Brides

Elizabeth Scaer, nee Schinnerer

The Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton was just a week ago and the details of Catherine’s wedding gown were probably the best kept secrets of the entire event. The secrecy surrounding that information could rival that of any of classified military operation.

Catherine’s gown was indeed elegant and timelessly beautiful. As soon as she stepped out of her royal limousine numerous wedding gown designers began cutting and sewing knockoff gowns. In New York at least one knockoff gown was finished just a few hours after the ceremony. Knockoff gowns should be available in a couple months and will undoubtedly be very popular this year.

Watching highlights of the royal wedding made me wonder about wedding dresses of the past. What was the fashionably well-dressed bride wearing over a century ago? What types of wedding attire did my ancestors wear? I pulled out some old photos, looking for wedding pictures.

Unfortunately, I have very few wedding photos of my ancestors. I do not have one wedding photo of either of my grandparents. I don’t know if they had photos taken on their wedding day or if the photos did not survive. I do have one wedding photo of my maternal great grandparents, John Scaer and Elizabeth Schinnerer, married 15 April 1894 in Van Wert County. (Vol. 8:287) Although the church records say they were married at Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm, couples back then were often wed during an informal ceremony at the home of the bride. Their photo shows them sharing a nice friendly handshake. It looks like they were sealing a business agreement instead of committing their lives to each other. “A handshake instead of a kiss.” I remember that line from an old TV commercial. (photo: Longsworth & Agler, Van Wert).

John Scaer & Elizabeth Schinnerer (15 April 1894)

Most of the wedding dresses that my ancestors wore were probably home made. In the 1800s my Mercer, Van Wert and Jay County kin didn’t have the luxury of shopping at the nearest David’s Bridal or commissioning a designer to make their special dress. The bride, a family member, or a good seamstress often made the dress. Or, she may have worn the best dress that she had at that time. Her wedding dress could later be altered and worn again for other events. Sleeves could be shortened and necklines changed. I’m sure my ancestors were very practical in that respect.

During the second half of the 19th century wedding dresses were not necessarily white or ivory. They were often made with colored fabric, even floral and striped fabric. Brides chose just about any color, although green was considered unlucky. White was a symbol of purity and virginity and was thought to ward off evil spirits. Wedding dresses were often brown or gray or even black. Such dresses could not only be used as a best dress but could also be a traveling dress. After all, a colored dress would not show dust, dirt and stains as much as a white dress. Again, practicality and cost won out. Materials ranged from printed cotton to lightweight wools combined with silk.

Believe to be Birt Balyeat & Emma Schinnerer (26 Oct 1898) Rank photo, Van Wert

Unknown from Schinnerer/Scaer album; Longsworth & Agler photo, Van Wert

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The bridal veil was an important accessory years ago. It was often the fanciest part of the bride’s ensemble. Even if the bride had to make her own dress she might be able to afford a white wedding bonnet that she could keep as a special memento. Veils consisting of artificial white orange blossoms were also popular in the late 1800s.

Believe to be Henry Schinnerer & Louise Schumm (1 May 1892) Rank photo, Van Wert

Unknown from Schinnerer/Scaer album; Rank photo, Van Wert

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of these photos are of unidentified relatives on their wedding day. These photos were in an old album that contained both Schinnerer and Scare photos, but mainly Schinnerer photos. If anyone can identify these Schinnerers or Scaers, please contact me. Some of them were Friedrich Schinnerer’s children. I tried to compare facial features to identify them, but please let me know of any corrections.

Many hats were worn at the Royal Wedding last week. I’m not sure if hats have made a comeback or if they were worn because the Queen always dons a hat. A few of those hats were quite unique last week and I wondered how some women kept them attached to their foreheads. Below is a nice photo of some classy hats from the Schinnerer/Scaer album.

Unknown ladies from Schinnerer/Scaer album; Longsworth & Agler photo, Van Wert

Below is an old poem about the color of a bride’s wedding dress and the luck it might bring:

Married in white, you will have chosen all right.
Married in gray, you will go far away.
Married in black, you will wish yourself back.
Married in red, you’ll wish yourself dead.
Married in blue, you will always be true.
Married in pearl, you’ll live in a whirl.
Married in green, ashamed to be seen.
Married in yellow, ashamed of the fellow.
Married in brown, you’ll live out of town.
Married in pink, your spirits will sink.

May 03

Tombstone Tuesday-Elvira Reid

Elvira Reid, nee Headington, Green Park Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana

This is the tombstone of Elvira Reid, nee Headington. The gravestone is located in Green Park Cemetery in Portland, Jay County, Indiana. The tombstone reads: REID—Elvira 1839-1911, Her Son Harry 1878-1910.

Elvira was my third great grandmother, born 17 April 1838 in Knox County, Ohio. She was the daughter of William and Mary Ann Headington, nee Cotterell, and the mother of William W. Reid.  Elvira married Daniel Jacob Reid 27 April 1856 in Jay County, Indiana. (Book B:256) Family history says that Daniel (c1826-1879) died somewhere in Kansas or on the way there while traveling with his family. I do not know exactly when Daniel died or where he is buried. Elvira can be seen in the five generation photo featured in last week’s blog.

Elvira’s Obituary:  Body Brought Here for Burial–Remains of Mrs. Reid will lie in state at home of her sister Mrs. John Huey–The remains of the late Mrs. Elvira Reid, who died at the home of her son Lowell Reed (sic) at Muncie, early Sunday morning were brought to Portland on the 3:35 train Monday afternoon and taken to the home of her sister Mrs. John Huey, East Walnut Street.  Mrs. Reid has been in poor health all winter suffering from liver trouble, which with a complication of jaundice finally caused her death.

The deceased was born in Knox County, Ohio, February 17, 1838, and was the daughter of William and Mary Headington. Nearly all of her life was spent in this city.  Since three years ago, she has resided in Hartford City and Muncie.  Her husband Daniel Reid died 31 years ago on the same day of the death of her father.  Six sons survive being Lowell Reid of Muncie, at whose home she died, Charles of South Bend, Andrew of Richmond, James of Kansas City, Missouri, Roland and Albert of Indianapolis.  Four children are dead, her son, Harry having died within the last year.  Three sisters and one brother also remain, Mrs. John Huey and Wesley Headington of this city, Mrs. L.V. Ogden of Toledo, Ohio, and Mrs. Lu Sanford, of Johannesburg, South Africa.

The funeral services will be held Tuesday morning at ten o’clock at the Methodist Church.  Interment will be made at Green Park Cemetery. (source: Commerce Review, Portland, Indiana, 1 May 1911)

Again, there is a discrepancy in the records. Records created at the time of her death indicate that Elvira was born in 1838, but the year 1839 is carved on her tombstone. Her age varies with the census records, too. This is common with census enumerations since you don’t know who gave the information to the census taker.

Elvira and Daniel Reid had 10 children: William W., Andrew Jackson, Charles, James, Minnie M., Albert, Lowell, Frank, Roland, and Harry. Elvira was left to raise most of their children by herself after Daniel’s death.

Elvira Reid, nee Headington (1838-1911)

Apr 29

A Snapshot of the Past-Five Generations of My Family

Front: William Reid, Gertrude (Brewster) Miller, Mary Ann (Cotterell) Headington. Back: Pearl (Reid) Brewster, Elvira (Headington) Reid. c1898

This five generation photo is one of my favorites. William Reid, featured in my latest Tombstone Tuesday blog, is the man seated in the photo and is my second great grandfather. The little girl in the photo is my grandmother, Gertrude Miller, nee Brewster. Her mother, Pearl Brewster, nee Reid, is standing on the left. William was Pearl’s father. William’s mother, Elvira Reid, nee Headington, is standing on the right. Elvira’s mother, Mary Ann Headington, nee Cotterell, is seated on the right.

This photo and accompanying story was reprinted on 18 April 1957 in The Graphic, a newspaper published in Portland, Indiana. The original story was published 21 Feb 1903. The article states that the photo was taken in 1903, but my grandmother was born in 1896 and she doesn’t look as though she was 6 or 7 years old in the photo. I would guess the photo was taken about 1898. The article:

PIONEERS IN PORTLAND—Mrs. Mary Ann (Cotterell) Headington, of West Main Street, here, boasts of living representatives of five generations, and she, the head of the list, carried her 87 years with an easy grace that marks her as an altogether unusual type. She is the widow of William Headington, a brother of Judge JW Headington and Col. Nimrod Headington, citizens prominent in all the best enterprises of Portland since first they cast in their lot with the struggling Hoosier hamlet on the Salamonie.

William and Mary A C Headington came west fifty-two years ago, leaving the old home in Baltimore, Maryland, on their wedding morn and making the long journey overland in an old-time “prairie schooner,” capacious and comfortable. Their wedding trip occupied fourteen days.

When they first arrived in Portland, the place was but a small village, the log houses nestling down among the forest trees. Mrs. Headington is remarkably bright, active and light of foot, and takes great pride in attending to her household duties. The reason for this young-old lady’s vigorous intellect, sunny, helpful character and strong body may be found in the fact that she has always faced life with cheerful heart, absorbing its sweetness and light and touching lightly its bitterness and shadows.

Her reminiscences of the early years in Portland are exceedingly interesting and inspiring. She has helped into life, and prepared for burial more people than did any other person who has ever lived in Portland. A call came for her one night in the long ago when the waters were up from Meridian Street to Pleasant Street. Her husband was away from home at the time, but she turned the key in the door, leaving her four little ones asleep, mounted her trusty horse and drawing her feet into the saddle went through the waters to the house of death, prepared the body for the coffin and was back at home before daylight.

Thirty-eight years ago Mrs. Headington saw a snow storm on the 4th of July which bowed the wheat crop to the ground. She gathered her first mess of green peas of that season from under the snow. Two of her daughters went to a Sunday School picnic that day dressed in white, wearing blanket shawls. Their escorts wore white duck pans and black coats.

January, 1903, Mrs. Mary Ann (Cotterell) Headington has seventeen living grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, ten great-great-grandchildren, and ten great-great-great grandchildren. Few mothers live to see ten children of the fifth generation.

This article was written by a special Star correspondent, Charlotte Archer Raney.

Caption under photo, 1957: Edith L. Stroube, 615 West High Street, Portland, submits this “Old Album” shot of a five generation picture of the Headington family, starting with Edith Stroube’s great grandmother, Mrs. Mary Ann (Cotterell) Headington, seated right. Identifying the generations, seated left to right, are William Reid (father), Gertie (Brewster) Miller (niece), and Mrs. Headington. Standing left to right are Mrs. Pearl (Reid) Brewster (sister), and Mrs. Elvira (Headington) Reid (grandmother). This picture was taken in January 1903 and, appeared with an interesting story of the Headington family in “struggling Hoosier hamlet on the Salamonie.” (source: The Graphic, Portland, Indiana, 18 April 1957)

I have used this photo and the accompanying article as proof of descent for several lineage applications, including a DAR application. It is interesting to note that Elvira, William, Pearl, and Gertrude were the first born in each of their families. The article states that William and Mary Ann Headington came west 52 years ago, which would be 1851. I believe they meant that the couple came to Portland or Jay County in 1851. Their daughter Elvira was born in Knox County, Ohio, about 1838, according to her obituary. William and Mary Ann were living in Delaware County, Ohio, in 1840 and in Franklin County, Ohio, in 1850, according to census enumerations.

Mary Ann (Cotterell) Headington passed on 19 June 1903, just a few months after the article was written. Here are the vital dates of those in the photo: Mary Ann (Cotterell) Headington (1816-1903); Elvira (Headington) Reid (1838-1911); William Reid (1855-1905); Pearl (Reid) Brewster (1880-1962); Gertrude (Brewster) Miller (1896-1973).