Sunday, June 30, 2013

Genealogy Using DAR Resources


Pat Milnes gave an informative presentation on the DAR’s genealogy online search features at the Fredericksburg Regional Genealogy Society’s June meeting. 

The DAR’s website is pretty straightforward, so I won’t go step by step, but I did want to share a few tips.

On the Home Page click on “Genealogy,” and you will come to “Collection Highlights.” Of course we want to find out if our ancestor is listed, so click “Online Research,” and then get right into the GRS (Genealogical Research System).  Clicking on “Ancestor” will bring up a simple form. Fill in your ancestor’s name, click the “Search” bottom at the bottom and wait for the information to unfold.  If you do have an ancestor in their database, a list will appear, with “Purchase” boxes alongside each. But …

Some warnings from Pat:
The blue question mark next to an “S” means Short Form – Don’t purchase this! It does not have the information you seek.
“EL” means there is an error in the lineage – Don’t purchase! 
A small “s” means there is supporting documentation - o.k. to purchase. 

Other notes: When doing research at the Washington DAR Library, cameras and scanners are not allowed; laptops are welcome.

The “Analytical Index” and GRC (Genealogical Records Committee) are in-house use only.

You can purchase records via credit card for $10 each; $15 for orders placed by mail or fax.  If you can’t get to Washington, the DAR offers a search service for an hourly fee.

Pat convinced us that the DAR has a wonderful genealogical research library just waiting for us.

The club’s next meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 11th featuring noted national speaker Barbara Vines Little, who will be discussing methods for researching Virginia records and repositories. 

Friday, June 7, 2013

Society Saturday – The DAR for Genealogical Research


On Wednesday, 12 June 2013, at 7:00 p.m. the Fredericksburg Regional Genealogy Society (FRGS) will welcome Pat Milnes of the Washington-Lewis Chapter of the DAR.  This chapter was founded in 1922 in order to save Kenmore, the home of Betty Lewis, who was George Washington’s sister.  That house has been restored and is open to the public.

Utilizing PowerPoint, Mrs. Milnes’ presentation will demonstrate the genealogy search features located on the DAR website. 

FRGS meetings are held at the Salem Church Branch Library, Salem Church Road, Fredericksburg, VA; the public is cordially invited to attend this informative session. 

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Eaton and Jessie (Woodford) Agard


Eaton Agard

Eaton Agard b: 1 March 1859 in Dix, Chemung County, New York was the fourth son of Noah and Rebecca Agard.

Eaton married Jessie Woodford in 1888. They had two children with one surviving, a daughter, Louise, born abt. 1894. The couple lived on Grove Street in Elmira, Chemung County, New York for most their married life. Eaton worked as a carpenter on bridgework, and then made templates for bridgework in an iron factory until he was well into his 70s. 

Jessie (Woodford) Agard was the daughter of Asa and Jane Woodford. The Woodfords lived in Hector, Schuyler County, New York, neighbors of the Agard family. Asa and Jane Woodford had five children: James A. b: 1859, Martha A. b: 1863, Jessie M. b: 1865. Nellie G. b: 1878, and Darwin G. b: 1873.[1]

Eaton died 28 September 1939; Jessie (Woodford) Agard died 15 August 1942. They are interred in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Elmira, New York.

Louise Agard graduated from Elmira College in 1915 and took the position as private secretary at the college, later as secretary to college president John Balcom Shaw. On 12 June 1920 Louise married Clyde Myers of New York City.





[1] 1880 U.S. Census, Schuyler County, NY, Population Schedule, Hector, P. 382D Asa Woodford, digital image, Ancestry. Com (http://www.Ancestry.com) ; accessed 20 May 2013, Roll 930, ED 148. NARA T9, 1,454 rolls.