Social Security Death Index ...

GenealogyBank now offers a free search of the Social Security Death Index from 1937 to the present. There are over 82 million death records online and new content is added weekly. GenealogyBank advertises this database as the most comprehensive SSDI site online! Check it out HERE.

The SSDI can tell you when and where your ancestor died, and their Social Security number (SSN). You can use the SSN and death information to request a copy of their SS-5, the application record for a Social Security card.

Other places with the SSDI free include FamilySearch, FamilyTreeLegends, World Vital Records, NewEnglandAncestors.org and RootsWeb. Each site adds new death information from the SSA on a different schedule.

You can search several sites' SSDI databases simultaneously through Stephen P. Morse's One-Step search.

New FamilySearch Overview ...

Thanks to Ben Nilsen for this link:

 http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~renee/pdf/1-introtonewfschpt1usersguide.pdf

This is a sixteen page introduction to New FamilySearch which gives a good overview of the program's main features.

New FamilySearch Roll-out ...

The Ancestry Insider, a popular Family History Blog, updates a list daily with news about the roll-out of New FamilySearch. Click HERE to see the latest information.

New and Improved Chapel Locator ...

Have you ever wanted to find a chapel when you didn't have an address? One of the mapping web sites is great if you have an exact address, but sometimes, say when you are on vacation, you just don't have enough information. Take a few minutes and give this new locator a try: maps.lds.org. Try to find your own chapel ... note that you can use the satellite view plus get the Bishop's name and phone number, plus go immediately to the Ward's web site. Oh, technology is wonderful!

Fall Classes Begin September 3, 2008 ...

Family History classes resume at 7:00 pm on September 3, 2008, in the Family History Teaching Center located at the Butler Hill Chapel, 2700 East 7000 South. To sign-up, send an email to the Center Directors at dofamilyhistory@comcast.net.

Here is the September schedule:

• Wednesday, September 3 - How to Organize Your Paper Files
• Wednesday, September 10 - Open Night (see note below)
  
• Wednesday, September 17 - Getting Started in Personal Ancestral File 5.2 (PAF 5.2)
• Wednesday, September 24 - Open Night

NOTE: Family History Consultants are available on Open Nights to help attendees with personal research or answer questions about any Family History subject. You do NOT have to attend the classes to attend the Open Nights.

Classes are held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday and Open Nights are on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday from September through May. Classes and Open Nights begin at 7:00 pm. The Center closes at 9:00 pm.

Three Broughs in Australia ...

Many who follow this blog might be interested in also following the family history adventures of Marshall, Janet, and Tracey Brough in Australia ... www.mjbrough.blogspot.com. Note that there is also a link in the right column. I am sure they would enjoy a comment or two from their Utah friends!

Alltop Genealogy Links ...

If you want an "easy" way to keep up with popular genealogy sites, take a look at Alltop. Alltop is an aggregator site that pulls together web sites, including blogs, dealing with particular subjects. The Alltop genealogy category is new ... take a look and let us know what you think: www.genealogy.alltop.com.