Thursday, December 27, 2012

Better Know Your Chapter! - Challenge #1

During 2012, our Chapter has made great strides in embracing technology and moving our Chapter into the 21st Century. As we come to the end of this year, I thought it might be fun to "Better Know Your Chapter" by taking the time to explore some of the wonderful changes that are available to our members and others interested in the genealogical resources available in Hamilton County. This will be the first of four daily posts challenging you to "up your game" and try something new. 


Challenge #1:


1. Look for the Hamilton County Genealogical Society logo on the top of the left-hand side of this blog. This is what is known as a "hot link." When you click on the logo, it will redirect you to our Chapter Web Site (http://hcgsohio.org). (Note: If you are receiving this post by email, you may not see the logo on the left hand menu.)


2. Once on the site, look at the top of the page to see the new "search" feature. It looks like what is pictured below, only it is much larger.



3. Enter one of your Hamilton County surnames. See how many results come up. Spend a few minutes clicking on the links to see if there is something there that may help you with your research.


4. On the website, look for this image. Note the orange blog symbol and click on the word "Blog" in "Read Our Blog." That will bring you back to the blog page.



5. Finally, and this is where you have to be really brave, scroll down to the bottom of this post and look for the box where you can post a comment. You can either post anonymously or with your own identity if you have a google account. Tell us how many "hits" you got on your particular surname. Let Jim Dempsey and Liz Stratton know that you love this new capability. Share any thoughts you'd like and come back tomorrow for a second challenge.

Submitted by:
Kathy Reed
Email me if you have any problems: khreed@cinci.rr.com


12 comments:

  1. I am so impressed - great idea! Wish I had some ancestors in Hamilton County. But I did look up a surname of Murphy and got 198 hits! So KUDOS to all of you for the hard work and it is going to be tough for other groups to top this!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Tessa. I just noticed a couple of typos and hope I've fixed everything. I'm glad you played along, even though your Murphys aren't from Hamilton Co.

      Delete
  2. I searched the Website and found 2 hits for my surname "Striley". Thanks to Liz and Jim for the search box. It's a great feature to help us all. And I'm loving this "challenge" idea. Can't wait for the next few!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very interesting site, Kathy, with lots to look at and click through! I decided to search for one major surname in my mother's family, TERWILLIGER, "knowing" there wouldn't be any... Well, there were 3 - marriages of Nathan Terwilliger & Charlotte Hogeman (1820s), and William Terwilliger & Mary Ann Shatton (1830s); and a death of an Alice Terwilliger, 1859. No direct relation I'm certain... although virtually every Terwilliger is related back to the 1700s, since it is a made-in-New-York new surname to replace the various patronymic names in use in New Amsterdam before the British took over.
    Love this capability - those with Ohio ancestry should find much to get excited about here~!

    ReplyDelete
  4. You're just trying to create more work for me, right? LOL Found 9 Greene (including Probate record for GG Grandmother, her sister & brother); 1 errant Wersel; 61 Burrows...OK, you get the point! Love this technology...congrats on the update to the site...it's fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Laura,
      I thought that might be your experience. I guess I'm glad?

      Delete
  5. Great idea! I found a couple of new avenues to pursue. Thanks to Liz and Jim for the search capability. I look forward to the next challenge.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love the new features. I found a handful of Wichards and Birkemeyers/Birkemeiers/Berkemeyers/Berkemeiers. It reminded me to follow up and read the obits in the papers. FYI, I get the blog via a feed and clicking the logo in the feed (the first step) just brings me back to the feed, not the HCGS site, but your hot link worked well.
    Irma
    PS - what does Comment as (select profile) mean?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great question! When you want to leave a comment, you are asked to select a profile. Because I have a registered google account, for instance, if I select to post that way, it will include my picture and information about me. You might choose "Name/URL" which would allow you to post using your name and a website. Most of our members would probably post as "anonymous". You can add your name to the comment right within the box. It is a little intimidating, isn't it. Thanks for posting.

      Delete
  7. I found a multitude of Burcks. Kenny Burck

    ReplyDelete

Comments on this blog are deeply appreciated and encouraged.