ShapingYourFamilyTree

ShapingYourFamilyTree

@shapeyrfamtree.bsky.social

Hi! 🔵 5th gen Texan. Former IT, now Qualified Genealogist. BBA UT 🤘🏻, MSc@Uni of Strathclyde. Teach genealogy to seniors (ATX). 🧡US&UK, Texas genealogy, maps, visuals. See https://shapingyourfamilytree.com. ✔️Democracy ✔️ 🌎☮️ 🚫 DMs 🚫 Porn 🚫 Crypto 🚫 $ request

5,971 Followers 10,844 Following 134 Posts Joined Nov 2024
3 months ago
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#Genealogy #ATX It has been a bit since I've sent a newsletter. Many thanks to all who have enjoyed my genealogy research. Check out the recent one, What Can We Learn from Photos, Diaries, Journals, and Letters? Turning Private Sources into Genealogy Gold, at bit.ly/43UX3HU Happy Thanksgiving 🦃🤗

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5 months ago

Actually this photo was from 1918. This poll tax became law in 1903, which required eligible voters to pay an annual tax—usually $1.50 to $2.00—by January 31 each year in order to have the right to vote in that year’s elections.

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5 months ago
poster in 1902 to intimidate women to pay a poll tax

#Genealogy Genealogists can find ancestors' residences (county) by researching tax records, usually for land, which also contained a "poll tax". In 1902, Texas women who wanted to vote were targeted by legislators. Women had little access to their own money. Image is fair use. bit.ly/3WaBM8I

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5 months ago
Grave markers for two children who died within a week of each other in 1891 of diphtheria.

#Genealogy My 2GG had 12 kids and lost 4 when young; these two had diphtheria, died the same week. Thankfully, this disease was eradicated and the DTaP regimen is still a recommended vaccine. See Texas Christian Advocate. 19 November 1891. p. 7d (top) (Read newspapers.swco.ttu.edu/handle/20.50...).

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5 months ago
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Tomorrow is the first day for semester (Mondays-6 wks)! I have abt 8 seats for Researching Texas Ancestors (1820-recent), but the other class is full (30!!). #ATX #Genealogy
If you want to come to the Texas class (orange folders!), reach out to me. Lots of info and fun! Just show up and pay there.

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6 months ago

Amazingly, I was able to get both a flu shot and COVID vaccine at CVS. I live in Texas, too. I’m in the approved age group.

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6 months ago
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#ATX #Genealogy In Researching Texas ancestors class (starting in Sept), we'll review immigrant groups from 5 countries. US Census data (1850-1870) was charted for our case study reviews. Notably missing are indigenous people, slaves, smaller groups. Sources via www.archives.gov/research/cen...

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6 months ago
April 2025 at the top of Lost Mine Trail in BBNP, Texas

#ATX #Genealogy There are still a few seats in the Researching Texas Ancestors class! Free resources, research immigrants in the 1820s-1900s (plus to recent), tips for Ancestry and FamilySearch. 2 seats in Finding Ancestors along US migration trails (sell out soon!). www.lliaustin.org Pic: BBNP TX.

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6 months ago
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#ATX #Genealogy Seats open! www.lliaustin.org. 12 seats in Researching Ancestors in Texas, 1820 to Recent, with European & Mexican immigrants & genealogy. 5 seats in Finding Ancestors Along US Migration Trails in the SE US, (over land, rivers, canals, and railroads) for 12 SE states & genealogy.

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7 months ago
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#ATX In #Genealogy some paths feel like there's no end in sight; it is part of the fun! Check my newsletter 1) Austin LLI registration starts Wed. at noon; if over 50, don't delay! We have a blast, learn new things and the instructor is very entertaining! 😂 & 2) Use Free Resources! bit.ly/4fYkkfQ.

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7 months ago
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Hi! I just sent out today's newsletter (and posted here, bit.ly/4fYkkfQ). Check it out as I have some great tips and news to share. I'm always learning! What do you think about this picture of my brother and me. Every moment is special, even ones where you shake your head. #Genealogy

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7 months ago
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Check my newsletter for Ancestry's New DNA Cluster Tool and their Featured Search – Records for Wedding Season. I share using websites like RootsIreland for a short time, researching Migration Paths, new blogs and collections & more! Sign up for the next one, bit.ly/4fYkkfQ. #Genealogy

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7 months ago
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Hi Bluesky! Check out my daughter’s new biz, RIA Pitchworks! She and her partners bring exciting technological advances and deep marketing expertise to the financial services industry. riapitchworks.com

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7 months ago
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Hi Bluesky! Check out my daughter’s new biz, RIA Pitchworks! She and her partners bring exciting technological advances and deep marketing expertise to the financial services industry. riapitchworks.com

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8 months ago
Newsletter Signup -

Check my recent newsletter! Register for the Heraldry session on Thursday, read about finding evidence for family mementos, tracking and understanding causes of death within ancestral lines, and current genealogy news! Read it and sign up for the next one, bit.ly/4fYkkfQ. #Genealogy

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8 months ago
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Genealogy & Java - Summer Series: Pt2 - Heraldry (via Zoom) - Interested in heraldry (coats of arms, shields, crests and more) which represent the families from English and Scottish Medieval times to present? Attend to learn how to interpret the images and how t...

Ever wondered if your English or Scottish families had an official coat of arms? This month's Genealogy & Java class will be held Thursday, via Zoom, fee $10. Check the details here to register to learn about many free resources available to find your ancestors' heraldry. bit.ly/4kXVf7A #Genealogy

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8 months ago
Graphic honoring Women Veterans Day, which is observed annually on June 12.

#ResistanceRoots

Today is Women Veterans Day, which is observed annually on June 12 to recognize and honor the women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Today, we celebrate the service and sacrifices of our more than 2 million women veterans. /1

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9 months ago
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Check out my newest blog about visiting Edinburgh, Scotland! I've included the top 10 sites for anyone interested in the town's history. bit.ly/3GlS4a7. Check my latest newsletter, which includes recent news, bit.ly/4fYkkfQ. Signup if you'd like to receive them in your inbox. Enjoy! #Genealogy #ATX

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10 months ago

Right. 🤦🏼‍♀️ anyone can see by their LinkedIn profiles that the Librarian and the Archivist, both women, are highly educated, skilled, and meritorious for their previous jobs.

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10 months ago
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My summer series events are posted, bit.ly/3GlS4a7! I've also sent my newsletter which tracks the path I took to find published Zumwalt Family genealogies. Check it & signup! bit.ly/4fYkkfQ. The Royal Coat of Arms pic - Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House, Bath, England. #Genealogy #ATX #Heraldry

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10 months ago
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Domesday Book - The National Archives 1. Why use this guide? This research guide explains how to access and understand the information within Domesday Book. For a more detailed introduction to Domesday, and England at the end of the 11th ...

The summer series of Genealogy & Java will focus on learning about and researching genealogy in Medieval times, particularly in the British Isles; see this snapshot of the 1086 Domesday Book. The event dates / times will be posted, bit.ly/3GlS4a7. Credit - www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-yo...

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10 months ago

#Genealogy #ATX I would like to find a larger venue in North Central Austin (ATX) which can provide either snacks or food and coffee. I had 11 people yesterday for my Passports and Passenger & Crew Lists (YAY! but holds 12). If you know of a place, please reach out to me. I love sharing genealogy!

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10 months ago
Where to Write for Vital Records - HomepageMinusSASstats

Do you have your birth certificate? You can search this website to determine how to obtain it. Select the State, then determine next steps. Instructions for other vital records (marriage, death, and divorce) are included. Use this website or share with others. #Genealogy www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/

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11 months ago
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Genealogy & Java (Hands On) - Researching Passports, Passenger & Crew Lists - This class is uniquely designed for hands on interaction - bring your laptop! Learn how to research Passports, Passenger & Crew Lists. Key information like birth and place, parents information, immigr...

ATX - G&J session, April 24th, 11a-12p. Find genealogy facts when researching Passports, Passenger & Crew Lists, like birth and place, parents' information, immigration status, key persons in the US, affidavits, occupations, etc. This class is hands on - bring laptop! FUN! bit.ly/4ibiYij. #Genealogy

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11 months ago

Thank you, Senator.

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11 months ago
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Unemployment Rate - Total Veterans, 18 Years and over Unemployment Rate - Total Veterans, 18 Years and over

Per fred.stlouisfed.org/series/LNU04...

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11 months ago

Per ChatGPT - As of February 2025, the unemployment rate for veterans aged 18 and over was 4.1%, up from 2.8% in December 2024. This rate is slightly lower than the national unemployment rate, which decreased from 4.1% in December to 4.0% in January.

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11 months ago
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ATX - need a break? Tomorrow I'll talk about yearbook research. I do have seats available. These sessions are fun with shared interactions and experiences. Join me! bit.ly/41vAQ1a. Photo from Texas, 1922 Howard Payne College yearbook, with my maternal grandmother, Eva Cutbirth, circled. #Genealogy

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11 months ago
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Genealogy & Java - Finding Ancestors' Genealogy Facts using Yearbooks - Learn about the depth of genealogy facts which can be found when searching Yearbooks. Many of these record sets are stored on Internet Archive, on college digital collections, and state archives. Regi...

Have you researched your family using yearbooks? Many free resources exist, you just need to know where they are! For my dissertation, I researched women at 3 Texas private colleges, 1920-1929, which opened my eyes to the free resources available for each person. Join me! bit.ly/41vAQ1a #Genealogy

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11 months ago
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Irish Soda Bread: A Family Recipe Passed Down Generations St Patrick's Day is coming up quickly this week. It's the time of year where I use the family recipe for Irish soda bread. It was passed dow...

It's almost time for #StPatricksDay! That means it's time to break out the Irish soda bread scones. Yes, you've read that right. I don't make traditional Irish soda bread, but make it into scones.

You can find the recipe on my blog at www.theshamrockgenea...

#genealogy

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