November 2010 Making Connections

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You’ve Got Mail
Regarding Sunny McClellan Morton’s “Fantastic Journey” in the August 2010 Family Tree Magazine, I agree with the fourth section, “Write away.” Some of my best information has come from writing a letter and a check if need be, then waiting. When the information does come, it’s like Christmas morning! 

A while back, I found the county in Iowa where a group of my ancestors settled, and I joined its genealogical society by mail. In my introduction letter, I included the names of my Iowan ancestors, along with my first year of dues. Mind you, I didn’t request anything—just membership. A few weeks later, a large brown envelope was in my mailbox. I opened it and discovered that some kind soul with the Genealogical Society of Linn County had copied information from its library about my ancestral family, including the last will and testament of my maternal third-great-grandfather and obituaries found in a scrapbook pertaining to my ancestral family. 

The internet is wonderful, but it is nice to receive something you can hold in your hands and study over and over again. And it’s always nice to have something to look forward to.”
Deborah Astley

Fletcher, Okla.

Preservation Pointers
I enjoy every page of this fine publication. “Family Archivist” is a valuable source of information, but I feel the need to point out several shortcomings in the piece on encapsulation (August 2010). With more than 25 years of public history and archival experience, I’ve learned the hard way that encapsulation is not always appropriate for documents.

You need to allow ample space in the corners of the plastic sheets for air circulation. You’re basically creating a clear envelope for each document, and leaving only a quarter-inch of space in each corner may not be enough room. If you fail to allow air to circulate, you run the risk of condensation or mold developing. 

In addition, never encapsulate a document with embossed seals or raised lettering. Encapsulating an embossed letter or document may flatten the lettering and destroy the seal.

Your readers should keep in mind that the best means of preservation often is storing documents in pH-balanced folders that can be purchased through archival supply stores. 

Once again, thank you for producing such a fine, informative magazine. It is always a pleasure to read the pages of Family Tree Magazine.
Mike Brubaker

Alpharetta, Ga.

Just Write
Many thanks for the article “Saving Yourself” in the August 2010 issue. I’m making family history books for my sons, packed with everything I can find on my ancestors. But I hadn’t paid much attention to myself. Now I’m trying to collect my old school photos and even writing down what I used to like or dislike, what I did for fun, and things I wish I knew about my own ancestors.

Roll the Credits
What a thrill and honor to see my genealogy videos at Beginning Genealogist mentioned in Family Tree Magazine’s August 2010 issue. Thank you!
Angela Walton-Raji

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Starting Points
I am a new genealogist and recently happened upon your magazine and website. With just a few clicks on some of your links, I was able to get past a couple of roadblocks and trace one line of my family back to 1613 Scotland. Thank you! I will definitely be subscribing to your magazine.

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From the November 2010 issue of Family Tree Magazine.

More great genealogy resources from Family Tree Magazine:

• research strategy CDs and books
• live and recorded expert webinars
• online genealogy classes