This month's newsletter contains: * WELCOME AND THANK YOU * CHANGES * ROOTS TELEVISION * NEAT STUFF * GENEALOGY TERMS * GEEK SPEAK * SHOPS * THANK YOU * CURRENT STATS WELCOME AND THANK YOU Of all the things I used to say in these newsletters, the one thing I have not said in a very long time is "WELCOME to RAOGK." We always have a steady flow of new volunteers added monthly. Many have never volunteered before, and some are volunteering again. We never can have enough volunteers and, as far as the US is concerned, not all the counties are covered. For all newcomers, all links you may need to have bookmarked as a volunteer are located at the bottom of this newsletter. A heart felt THANK YOU to all the volunteers who have been with us for a very long time and all those between being a newbie and a seasoned veteran. We started this newsletter in January 2002, and that was the time we also started keeping track of volunteers. How we managed before that is beyond me. However, there are close to 1000 still with RAOGK today that were here when we started keeping records. RAOGK would be nothing without volunteers, and we are blessed with some of the finest around. CHANGES Some of the changes we are making with the site won't be too noticeable to those visiting the site, some will. The most recent change has been putting graphics of a t-shirt and tote bag on the state pages. These graphics have the saying "My roots run deep in [state]" (of course the name of the state is there not the word 'state.' They have links back to the page in the shop relevant to the state to (hopefully) buy a product or two. The intro area for that section of the shop is: http://www.cafepress.com/genealogyforyou/1807913?pid=2851439&tid=610 Another change is the addition of a Public Relations department in our organization. This department was created to help promote RAOGK on and off the Internet. We have added three new people onto staff to help us with this endeavor: Dennis Chapman, Brenda Wolfgram-Moore and Leon Kearns. What does this mean to you, as a volunteer? The possibility of receiving more requests. ROOTS TELEVISION Roots Television is a fairly new site on the Internet. http://www.rootstelevision.com Before clicking on this link, be aware the main page loads a program for you to view videos. If you are on a dial-up connection, this may not work for you. The first time I went to the site, I had to figure out how to mute the sound of the program playing. If you are like me and would rather be 'deaf' when surfing, hit the button that has 2 vertical lines in it. The masterminds of this site are Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak (Honoring Our Ancestors) and Marcy Brown. Probably more of you have heard of Megan than Marcy. Our public relations team has been very active, and one of them contacted Megan about having a blog on their site. Turns out Megan *loves* RAOGK and is very exited about the possibility of us joining them. They are being extremely selective about who they allow to have a blog that would be linked to the site, let alone embedded into their site as ours would be. Megan would like to see an active blog...by having new things added 2 to 3 times per week. We CAN do this with your help! How can you help? Volunteers are the backbone of RAOGK. During your tenure with RAOGK you probably have quite a few success stories helping other genealogists via RAOGK, and have been helped out tremendously as well. Megan would like to see literally *tons* of success stories that have occurred because of RAOGK. We know there are many stories that can be told, but knowing this as a fact, doesn't give us the story to write about. Megan also would like to see staff and volunteers in the spotlight of the blog. One of the topics we might cover is how one can write how a proper request should be done. Ideas for topics are also welcome. For the time being, if you would like to contribute, please send your stories (with a permission to reprint it) to feedback@raogk.org. The subject line should read RootsTelevision. Thank you in advance for submitting stories for our new endeavor. NEAT STUFF Stuff meaning a program or two or plug-ins for your browser. These programs for PC's only (maybe a MAC user knows of a program similar to the ones I am about to describe). Also, I use Firefox as my browser, not Internet Explorer, so the plug-ins are related to that browser. TypeItIn http://www.wavget.com/typeitin.html Without this small application my life would be miserable. Press a button and it types for you. I call it a macro program, similar to the type that you have to remember which key combinations will produce the outcome you want. However, this one you don't have to remember any combinations, just find the button you created (you've named the button so you will know) for the task and just press it. I use the pro version, which means I can categorize my buttons, with each category showing different buttons. The freebie that is available doesn't have that capability, but quite useful otherwise. I gave the freebie version a try, when I found that this was something I couldn't live without I got the pro version. They no longer offer the free version on their main website, but you can get the free version by going here: http://www.321download.com/LastFreeware/page5.html (I have no monetary interest in plugging this application, just a very satisfied user). I have been told that there is a similar program for MAC's (Classic and OSX), that has been around since 1989. http://www.typeit4me.com/ Google Notebook This little application resides in your browser, whether it is Firefox or Internet Explorer. I believe it is also available for MAC's. How many times have you been surfing the internet, gathering information and either you wind up bookmarking the site (never to find it in your bookmarks again) or opening up a text editor to copy and paste some information? Google Notebook opens up from your browser and you can copy and paste any information you want and save it. This information is saved to your Google account online (not your computer). A Google account can be something as simple as a GMail account. http://labs.google.com (scroll down on the left you will see Google Notebook). GENEALOGY TERMS You are never too old to learn something new. I sure did when I sent out a message to the volunteer mailing list for genealogy terms. Accretion Right of inheritance AE These letters are attached together, mostly found on tombstones, meaning: at the age of After-acquired property A property that was required after the date of a will Ahnentafel An ancestor table that shows ancestry by generation rather than pedigree Banns A public announcement of an intended marriage Cenotaph An empty grave honoring a deceased person (often used for military personnel who are MIA or for a person lost at sea codicil supplement or addition to a will; not intended to replace an entire will. Collateral line Descendant line of connecting persons who share a common ancestor, but are not directly related (aunt, cousin, etc.) Complications of Confinement Died giving birth consort wife, husband, spouse, mate, companion. Conveyance An instrument by which title to property is conveyed Et al And others, but when found in indexes of Registry of Deeds it usually means a document containing a deed of distribution to heirs Et ux And wife Indenture A contract binding one person to work for another for a given period of time intestate used to denote a person who died without leaving a will. Nee Normally refers to a woman's maiden name Onomastics The science or study of the origin and forms of proper names of persons or places Posthumous After death Primogenitor Ancestor, forefather Primogeniture 1. A child, that is the firstborn of children, of same parents 2. Exclusive right of inheritance belonging to the eldest son Progeny Children, descendants relict Widow at time of her death GEEK SPEAK Wisdom from our Tech Guru: Why reboot your computer? Sometimes this technique will make your computer, which may have been giving you weird problems, run a whole lot better. No matter what Operating System (OS) you use it is often necessary to reboot. Usually this is when doing an update or installing some software packages. But sometimes your Computer is just acting odd and by just rebooting it makes it work normal. Doc's rule #1 -- When in doubt REBOOT! SHOPS Did you know you can get Postage Stamps with the RAOGK Logo on it from our Logo Shop? Of course, just when I was going to make a write up on it they went "out of stock," but they should be in stock shortly. However, there is an alternative as well, it is called Postage Pal. This is a sticker that has a design (or logo) on the left side and on the right you may put a regular stamp. Since the Postage Stamps are only for USA use only, those living outside the USA can use the Postage Pals as a replacement. RAOGK Logo Postage Stamps: http://www.cafepress.com/raogk.58148321?pid=2851439&tid=610 RAOGK Logo Postage Pals: http://www.cafepress.com/raogk.45956844?pid=2851439&tid=610 Both our shops sell much more than just t-shirts. Like the postage products above we also sell greeting cards, aprons, plush teddy bears, large throw pillows, wall calendars and stickers. Check out some of our Christmas Cards in our Christmas section: http://www.cafepress.com/genealogyforyou/793923?pid=2851439&tid=610 One of our most versatile items we sell is called a tile box. It could be called a trinket box, jewelry box, heirloom box or a memory box. A sample of a nice gift for your mother, daughter, sister or aunt could be one of our "I [heart]" designs on a tile box. I [heart] mother memory box: http://www.cafepress.com/genealogyforyou.54232388?pid=2851439&tid=610 What Dad wouldn't mind drinking his favorite warm beverage from one of our mugs: http://www.cafepress.com/genealogyforyou.57246453?pid=2851439&tid=610 How about a clock? Especially one that tells one and all, the real reason why you may be late all the time: http://www.cafepress.com/genealogyforyou.44828792?pid=2851439&tid=610 Calendars? Yes we have 2007 calendars available: http://www.cafepress.com/genealogyforyou/864785?pid=2851439&tid=610 THANK YOU A great big THANK YOU goes out to one and all who have helped RAOGK to continue to be a presence online. Your purchases through one of our stores or by sending a donation via PayPal or check are very much appreciated. This past month donations helped us keep the power on. This past summer was a very hot one here, and the servers really need keep cool to run properly. If you would like to donate for the cause, details can be found at http://www.raogk.org/support.html CURRENT STATS Last month: 4224 This month: 4197 New: 73 Left: 52 Staff removals*: 24 October Requests (through October 30, 2006): 5,875 USA volunteers received: 5,329 NON-USA volunteers received: 546 *Staff removals are those folks whose e-mail address has been reported bouncing and confirmed or volunteers who, over the course of trying many times, did not respond back to requesters or staff. The STAFF thanks you for volunteering and until next month. . . . . . THE STAFF Bridgett, Michele, Bill, Anja, Terri, Nancy, Jo, Mollie, Bonnie, Melissa, Brenda, Dennis, Leon and Doc, the Tech Guru