Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Researching in Salt Lake City


Of course, genealogists will think immediately of the Family History Library, but there are other research sources in or near SLC also.

The Marriott Library: Salt Lake City's Little-known Genealogical Gem (U of I) by Chad R. Milliner: http://www.ancestry.com/learn/library/article.aspx?article=2825

The Harold B. Lee Library (BYU) also holds extensive genealogical material: http://www.lib.byu.edu/

Staying in SLC
SLC Convention & Visitors Center: http://www.visitsaltlake.com/go/genealogy.shtml

Richard Eastman updates his hotel critiques yearly: http://www.eogn.com/surveys/SLC
   Comments are always solicited and displayed. The latest: http://eogn.typepad.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2005/10/where_to_stay_i.html

Annette Hulse describes the City Creek Inn. ...2 blocks from FHL... $48 for a room with 1 Queen, $58 for a room with 2 Queens.... No amenities," but clean, safe, cheap and convenient. http://www.citycreekinn.com

Tips on Making Your SLC Research Trip A Big Success: http://www.rootsweb.com/~genepool/slc.htm


Advice for the First-Time Visitor to the FHL: http://www.rootdig.com/adn/fhl_lessons.html

Salt Lake City Library: Ready, Set, Go!: http://olivetreegenealogy.com/articles/slc.shtml


Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish. - John Quincy Adams

Saturday, June 25, 2005

Films Summer 2005


I slacked off here, and have seen some films without commenting. I'll get back to it, I hope. Until then, here's Wikipedia's List of films that have been considered the worst ever: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_movies_that_have_been_considered_among_the_worst_ever. And a corking good list it is, too.

Time for a new post to go with the coming of summer! Most recently, watched Kaze no tani no Naushika (1984) known here as Nausicaä of the Valley of the Winds here in the US in the Disney-distributed DVD. Charming, and thrilling. Not as polished as his later Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away, but a stronger story by far. Some of the American dialog is a bit puzzling if you have the sub-titles on, but I suggest doing so to get more of the flavor of the Japanese terms. 78.

Debra brought over Hotel Rwanda (2004). I hesitated to see it, because the original massacre was so heart-rending 10 years ago. Aside from the BBC and NPR, it seemed to be ignored at the time. Now, there is a *wonderful* film which is the dramatization of the story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who housed over a thousand refugees during the genocide in Rwanda. His courage is so inspiring that the film is entertaining instead of painful and horrifying. Don Cheadle is MAGNIFICENT in the role of Paul Rusesabagina, and the remainder of the casting is just as good. If you have held back seeing this film because you fear it will be too painful, I urge you to overcome your fears and watch it anyway. You will be shaken to the core by the horror that humans are capable of, but you will come away inspired, too. This is one where you will want to watch and listed to all the DVD extras. Well worth buying so you can lend it to reluctant friends. 95.

Watched the teen movie Mean Girls (2004) featuring Lindsay Lohan as the new girl, Cady Heron. Rachel McAdams is her friend/enemy Regina George, and Lizzy Caplan is wonderful as the art-geek Janis Ian. The adult cast is a lot of SNL veterans: Tina Fey as the helpful teacher Ms. Norbury, Tim Meadows as the hunky principal Mr. Duvall, who is helpless in the face of the bullying; Amy Poehler is hilarious as the completely inappropriate mom Mrs. George; Ana Gasteyer is Betsy Heron, Cady's clueless mom. Daniel Franzese is wonderful as Damian, gay friend of Janis, although he is apparently sexless; and Jonathan Bennett is mightly cute as the love-interest Aaron Samuels. But there is more than just a teen movie here -- Tina Fey wrote the script after reading Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and Other Realities of Adolescence by Rosalind Wiseman. Good, and fun! 82.

Still fun, but not as good: Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (2004), also starring Lindsey Lohan. More subtle and more fun than the run-of-the-mill teenie flick. 75.

Colin, Thomas and I had a fun evening watching Howl's Moving Castle (Hauru no ugoku shiro (2004)), Miyazaki/Disney's latest release. Completely wonderful! Such beautiful, odd, funky, horrifying imagery. This one was about war and the courage to stand up for peace and loyalty. Wonderful characters, great storytelling. Studio Ghibli rocks! 89.

I don't know what to say about Boogie Nights (1997). A bit of genius, I think, but so disturbing, and about such sad, pathetic people. About the porn industry, but so NOT sexy. More later.

Tonight, The Village (2004), by M. Night Shyamalan. MUCH better than I expected, from the luke-warm to poor reviews it got. I liked it very much - the acting and writing was excellent, as was the cinematography and score. The plot was a bit contrived, true -- but it was a "what if," like good science fiction. Maybe people were disappointed by the "plot twist(s)" that are now expected of MNS, but I was pretty pleased. 77.


Freedom is never letting your fears stop you from following your heart. - Susie Switzer

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Comparing Genealogy Software


New programs are being released almost constantly! So how do you know what's best for YOU? Here are some sites that might help:

Genealogy Authors’ Software Guide reviews AFT, Family Origins, Family Treemaker, Genbox, Generations, Legacy, PAF, PAF Companion, Roots Magic, TMG & UFT: http://www.northwestfloridagenealogy.com/genauthsoftguide/

Genealogical Software Report Card (last updated in 2000): http://www.mumford.ca/reportcard/
   Reviews Ancestral Quest 3, Ancestral Quest 2002, Brother's Keeper 6, Cumberland Family Tree 3, Dynastree 220 (German), Dynastree 330 (German), Family Historian 2.2 (English), Family Matter 97 4.20c, Family Origins 9, Family Tree Creator, Family Tree Maker 8, Family Tree Maker 10, Genbox, Generations Grande Suite 8, Heredis 6 (French), Kith & Kin Pro 1 (Scotch - Scottish?), Legacy 3, Legacy 4 Deluxe, Personal Ancestral File 5.1.12, Relatively Yours II (Australian), Reunion 6 (Mac), Reunion 8 (Mac), RootsMagic, The Master Genealogist 5, Tree-O 2.1, Ultimate Family Tree 3, Win Family 6 (Norwegian), plus Clooz 1.2, Genelines, Enlightenment, Family History on CD, Genealogical Library Master Catalog, Geneweaver, Location, Location, PAF Companion, Progenitor 2.

Genealogy Software Review 2005 (commercial site - Legacy, Family Tree Maker, Ancestral Quest, Personal Ancestral File, RootsMagic, Family Historian, DoroTree, The Master Genealogist, Cumberland Family Tree, WinFamily, Genbox Family History, Heredis, Famtree): http://genealogy-software-review.toptenreviews.com/


No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings. - William Blake

Monday, June 06, 2005

Cowan Marriage Bonds in Upper and Lower Canada


The up-to-date version of this post will be maintained at http://genweblog.blogspot.com/2006/07/cowan-marriage-bonds-in-upper-and.html


Library and Archives Canada/Canadian Genealogy Centre have put the Upper and Lower Canada Marriage Bonds online: http://www.collectionscanada.ca/022/012/index-e.html
Lower Canada later became Quebec, while Upper Canada became Ontario. Here are the Cowan Marriage Bonds:

Lower Canada
Name of Future Husband: O'SULLIVAN, Timothy
Residence: Quebec
Name of Future Wife: COWAN, Catherine
Residence: Quebec
Remarks:
Reference: RG 4 B28
Volume: 30
Bond Number: 79
Date: 1819-09-21
Microfilm Reel Number: H-1129

Name of Future Husband: COWAN, James
Residence: late of Belfast, Ireland
Name of Future Wife: PATTERSON, Mary
Residence: late of Belfast, Ireland
Remarks:
Reference: RG 4 B28
Volume: 31
Bond Number: 285
Date: 1822-08-06
Microfilm Reel Number: H-1129

Name of Future Husband: BARWIS, Thomas Bienvenue
Residence: Quebec
Name of Future Wife: COWAN, Ann Elizabeth
Residence: Quebec
Remarks:
Reference: RG 4 B28
Volume: 33
Bond Number: 529
Date: 1825-10-31
Microfilm Reel Number: H-1130

Name of Future Husband: HOYT, Sandford Liverston
Residence: Quebec
Name of Future Wife: COWAN, Julia Hannah
Residence: Quebec
Remarks:
Reference: RG 4 B28
Volume: 33
Bond Number: 572
Date: 1825-10-07
Microfilm Reel Number: H-1130

Name of Future Husband: MARTIN, Edward
Residence: late of Belfast, Ireland
Name of Future Wife: COWAN, Margaret
Residence: late of Belfast, Ireland
Remarks:
Reference: RG 4 B28
Volume: 34-C
Bond Number: 1372
Date: 1832-07-24
Microfilm Reel Number: H-1130

Name of Future Husband: COWAN, Hugh
Residence: Quebec
Name of Future Wife: COULSON, Harriet Sarah
Residence: Quebec
Remarks:
Reference: RG 4 B28
Volume: 35
Bond Number: 1461
Date: 1833-10-28
Microfilm Reel Number: H-1131

Name of Future Husband: AHERN, John Urquhart
Residence: Quebec
Name of Future Wife: COWAN, Henrietta Eliza
Residence: Quebec
Remarks:
Reference: RG 4 B28
Volume: 35-A
Bond Number: 1591
Date: 1835-12-12
Microfilm Reel Number: H-1131

Name of Future Husband: COWAN, John
Residence: Soulanges
Name of Future Wife: RODGERS, Mary
Residence: Soulanges
Remarks:
Reference: RG 4 B28
Volume: 36
Bond Number: 1664
Date: 1836-06-10
Microfilm Reel Number: H-1131

Name of Future Husband: COWAN, Peter
Residence: Dunham
Name of Future Wife: HACKETT, Jane
Residence: Montreal
Remarks:
Reference: RG 4 B28
Volume: 36
Bond Number: 1665
Date: 1836-11-28
Microfilm Reel Number: H-1131

Name of Future Husband: COWAN, William
Residence: Montreal
Name of Future Wife: CROSS, Elizabeth
Residence: Beauharnois
Remarks:
Reference: RG 4 B28
Volume: 37
Bond Number: 1835
Date: 1837-03-10
Microfilm Reel Number: H-1131

Name of Future Husband: WELCH, Hy.W.
Residence: Quebec
Name of Future Wife: COWAN, Lucretia Mary
Residence: Quebec
Remarks:
Reference: RG 4 B28
Volume: 38
Bond Number: 2086
Date: 1838-05-21
Microfilm Reel Number: H-1131

Name of Future Husband: COWAN, David
Residence: Montreal
Name of Future Wife: FLINN, Ann
Residence: Montreal
Remarks:
Reference: RG 4 B28
Volume: 39
Bond Number: 2133
Date: 1839-03-15
Microfilm Reel Number: H-1131

Name of Future Husband: LANCONS, John
Residence: St.Andrews
Name of Future Wife: COWAN, Maria
Residence: St.Andrews
Remarks:
Reference: RG 4 B28
Volume: 40
Bond Number: 2520
Date: 1840-02-03
Microfilm Reel Number: H-1131

Name of Future Husband: COWAN, Hugh
Residence: Montreal
Name of Future Wife: LINTON, Elizabeth
Residence: Montreal
Remarks:
Reference: RG 4 B28
Volume: 41
Bond Number: 2713
Date: 1841-07-19
Microfilm Reel Number: H-1132
Upper Canada
Name of Future Husband: COWAN, Alexander
Residence: Pittsburgh tp.
Name of Future Wife: MABEE, Rachel
Residence: Charlotteville Township
Remarks:
Reference: RG 5 B9
Volume: 20
Bond Number: 2238
Date: 1831-06-04
Microfilm Reel Number: C-6780

Name of Future Husband: COWAN, James
Residence: Elizabethtown Township, Leeds County
Name of Future Wife: SHERIFF, Marie
Residence: Cornwall
Remarks:
Reference: RG 5 B9
Volume: 17
Bond Number: 1319
Date: 1827-10-29
Microfilm Reel Number: C-6779

Name of Future Husband: GRAY, William
Residence: Dumfries Township, Halton County
Name of Future Wife: COWAN, Anette
Residence: Dumfries Township, Halton County
Remarks:
Reference: RG 5 B9
Volume: 35
Bond Number: 6374
Date: 1838-10-21
Microfilm Reel Number: C-6787

Name of Future Husband: SHAW, James
Residence: Puslinch Township, Halton County
Name of Future Wife: COWAN, Margaret
Residence: Waterloo Township, Halton County
Remarks:
Reference: RG 5 B9
Volume: 42
Bond Number: 8174
Date: 1840-03-02
Microfilm Reel Number: C-6790

Name of Future Husband: COWAN, Thomas
Residence: Richmond Township, Midland District
Name of Future Wife: CAMPBELL, Margaret
Residence: Richmond Township, Midland District
Remarks:
Reference: RG 5 B9
Volume: 43
Bond Number: 8528
Date: 1841-03-06
Microfilm Reel Number: C-6791

Name of Future Husband: COWAN, George
Residence: Bytown
Name of Future Wife: PATTERSON, Margaret
Residence:
Remarks:
Reference: RG 5 B9
Volume: 44
Bond Number: 8836
Date: 1844-11-06
Microfilm Reel Number: C-6791

The only thing you take with you when you're gone is what you leave behind. - John Allston