Who Is Search

Learn the Importance of Genealogy through Books and Other Research Material

2012-01-17T21:56:00.001-05:00

You had never seen your ancestors, but because of them you are here. Their lives may be significantly different but they may also show some similarity as yours. You may be thinking why there is a necessity to study the persons who are already buried and forgotten. However, learning its importance can make you understand that genealogy is fun and a challenging experience as what some books have exposed.

Studying the family tree of your family does not only mean giving respect to your ancestor's importance but it's simply fascinating. You could learn many things including the reasons why your mother and father both grew from one place or another.

Take for instance; in the past, Hessian soldiers have fought the American invaders in the name of Great Britain. If you have traced that one of the Hessian soldiers is your ancestor, then probably you can find a few relatives in Pennsylvania. This place had a big population of German-Americans; most of them were once Hessian soldiers. Later on, they deserted Great Britain and fought for the United States of America. You can also search in Ohio because some of their descendants had also moved there.

Sometimes you will wonder why a particular first name or given name almost dominates the family tree, even the original surname before its American alterations. The immigration officials find it very difficult to pronounce many names. So, they have changed the surnames on the documents during processing of immigrants. You can find the true surname basing from the occupations of the ancestors. Most of the surnames were derived from the type of occupation of the individual such as Baker, Tanner, and others.

Some medical conditions are thought to be genetically passed from one person to another. Learning the genealogy of your family can help you dig up your medical histories. Illnesses linked with the heart, cancer, auto-immune disorders and more are known. Most often medical conditions are known through tales. In case you don't get hold of any information, investigate death notices that oftentimes declared the causes of death. In this way, you would be able to take good care of your health. If you have known that cancer runs in the family in the past, then you can be more aware of your smoking and eating behavior. This information can encourage you to undergo genetic testing.

If you would ask where to begin with, the best way to start is to read publications and other research resources from genealogy associations or genealogy libraries in your area. You can also join genealogy groups or associations because they have their own records for doing the research. Some even conduct family tree jamborees. Others include buying the recent publication or publications on genealogy and software as well. Another source is the internet. Family tree enthusiasts find information by accessing the research materials and joining genealogy forums to connect with kinfolk in far places.

Whatever resources you used from books to other written materials to internet, still the main goals are similar, that is learning your family history and accepting a very challenging mission.

Claim Token Code - E6ERR4SE4JKE

Is The Government Doing Something To Protect You From Identity Theft?

2012-01-17T21:43:00.000-05:00

Identity theft costs consumers billions of dollars every year. You need to do your part to guard yourself and the government needs to do its part too.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the federal financial institution regulatory agencies have sent the Federal Register for publication final rules on identity theft “red flags” and addresses discrepancies. The final rules put into practice sections 114 and 315 of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003.

According to a report of the President’s Identity Theft Task Force, identity theft (a fraud attempted or fully committed using identifying information of another person without authority), results in billions of dollars in losses each year to individuals and businesses.

The final rules require each financial institution and creditor that holds any consumer account, or other account for which there is a moderately foreseeable risk of identity theft, to develop and put into practice an Identity Theft Prevention Program for fighting identity theft in connection with new and existing accounts. The Program must include reasonable policies and procedures for detecting, preventing, and mitigating identity theft and enable a financial institution or creditor to:

Identify relevant patterns, practices, and specific forms of activity that are “red flags” signaling possible identity theft and incorporate those red flags into the Program;

Detect red flags that have been incorporated into the Program; React appropriately to any red flags that are detected to prevent and mitigate identity theft; and Guarantee the Program is updated periodically to reflect variations in risks from identity theft.

The organizations also issued rules to assist financial institutions and creditors in developing and implementing a Program, including a supplement that offers examples of red flags.

The final rules also necessitate credit and debit card issuers to develop policies and procedures to evaluate the validity of a request for a change of address that is followed closely by a request for an additional or replacement card. In addition, the final rules require users of consumer reports to develop logical guidelines and strategies to apply when they receive a notice of address discrepancy from a consumer reporting agency.

The final rule-making is issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Trade Commission, the National Credit Union Administration, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Office of Thrift Supervision. The final rules became effective on January 1, 2008. Covered financial institutions and creditors were required to comply with the rules by November 1, 2008.

The government is doing its best to fight identity theft. Keeping one step ahead of the thieves by checking your free credit report will ensure that no one has stolen your identity. The government is doing what it can, but you are the first line of identity theft defense.

Genealogy Search Engine - Searching For Your Lost Relatives

2012-01-16T16:08:00.000-05:00

There are an estimated 6,525,170,264 people living in the planet today. You have to consider that a lot of people and imagine you are related to roughly a million of these people. It's difficult to believe but it is a possibility. Even former President George W. Bush traced his relations to his rival John Kerry. In fact, John Kerry is the 16th cousin, three times removed of George W. Bush.

Today, because of DNA testing and specialized methods used by genealogist, it is now extremely possible to map out your long lost family that you didn’t even know existed. Finding your genealogy is a fun family hobby where everybody will be fascinated about who they are related to. Who knows? Maybe when you try searching for your lineage it will expose certain details that you are related to someone famous today, such as Tom Cruise or even prominent politicians, such as George W. Bush. It may be remarkable, but it is a possibility.

More and more people are now trying to trace their genealogy for fun, or for medical purposes. Some do this just to find out how distant they can trace their ancestors and their distant kinfolk. So, if you are one of these people who are trying to discover their genealogy, you can consider employing a genealogist to do the job for you. However, you may find that hiring a genealogists may be costly and finding your genealogy yourself can prove very hard.

However, because of modern technology, there are additional ways you can search for your family tree. Today, the internet is one of the widely used communication resources available. Besides, it is a lot easier, it is faster and the best thing about the internet is that it's cheap. There are available websites today that are devoted to family tree research. There are even genealogy search engines where you can type in your grandparent's full name, and date of birth to reveal their family tree.

You have to consider that birth records, marriage records and death records are now stored in databases today. Many organizations make this accessible on the internet. Because of this, genealogists and web developers use this tool in order to build an automated family tree and make it available in an simple to read interface on the internet.

There are free and pay genealogy search engines available. If you are just starting out your search, you can think about using the free genealogy search engine. However, free family tree search engines have only narrow resources and can only take you to your great-great grandparents or less. If you want to widen your family tree, you have to consider using the pay family tree search engine websites. They can offer more complete results and some can even provide automated family tree data that is easy to use and come in printable formats.

So, if you want to find out about your history, you should consider searching for your kin through genealogy search engines. You will be surprised on how many people you are related to.

The Family Tree Problem Solver: Tried-and-True Tactics for Tracing Elusive Ancestors

Identity Thieves Target the Deceased

2012-01-16T15:45:00.001-05:00

Criminals scour obituaries and other sources for personal information that can be used to commit fraud.

Identity thieves will stop at nothing – not even the death of the intended victim – when it comes to stealing someone's personal information to commit fraud.

Crafty criminals look for personal details about the deceased in obituaries (in the newspaper or online), genealogy Web sites, death certificates and other sources. Armed with personal information – such as a full name, address and date of birth – an ID thief may be able to obtain a new Social Security card, a driver's license, or loans and credit cards, even though the victim is no longer alive.

FDIC Consumer News suggests that families consider the following actions after a loved one dies:

Limit the amount of personal information in obituaries. "It's a good idea to leave out the exact birth date of the deceased. If anything, provide only the birth year," said David Nelson, a fraud specialist in the FDIC's Financial Crimes Section.

Consider omitting a wife's maiden name because many financial institutions use a mother's maiden name as a security password. "If an obituary publicizes a woman's maiden name and lists her children, an identity thief may be able to use that and other information to order credit cards or otherwise go on a spending spree in the childrens' names," Nelson added.

Obtain several copies of the death certificate and then proceed to close bank, brokerage, credit card and other accounts as needed.

Ask your attorney or accountant for advice about closing and reopening accounts in survivors' names.

Also, quickly report the death to the fraud departments of all three major credit bureaus, which financial institutions rely on when handling credit applications, and the Social Security Administration.

"It's important to help prevent identity thieves from assuming the deceased person's identity before the estate is settled," explained Nelson. "Otherwise, there may be credit extended to the fraudsters that will need to be resolved before distributions can be made to heirs."

These thieves are the lowest of the low. Targeting the deceased should be a crime punishable by death from one thousand slices of a very dull knife.

Don’t make it easy for these thieves to access the information. It is not something that we think about during a time of grief, but in today's world, we have to always be on our toes.

Stopping Identity Theft: 10 Easy Steps to Security

Genealogy Chart for Your Researched Family Information

2012-01-15T20:34:00.002-05:00

One of the most important things in this world that a person can have is their loving family. There are individuals, who completely disregard their families, but this should not be so because your family is a very reliable source of help and comfort during hard times.

Since your family is that important, then may be it would be a worthwhile experience to trace your roots. Discovering your family's history is a very interesting activity. If you have children, then it's also a great adventure for them. In fact, you can boast of your family's pride that has its roots from their great-great-great grandparents.

Starting of from scratch can be difficult. But did you know that you can start by talking to your mother, father, aunts or uncles, your grandparents, and your cousins. These people can instantly name names of important family members that have wonderful stories behind them.

While you're into tracing your family's roots, why not go check your attic? Perhaps there's an old box there where family papers like birth certificates, obituaries, letters, and cards can be found. You can find many good things about the past through certain items contained therein.

First and foremost, you need to organize all the information that you've gathered. If you want, you can get a free genealogy chart online so that you will only have to fill in the information. Genealogy charts are easy to download.

You might wonder what genealogy is; these are all about the studies of different family trees of families. Some individuals do it for their own family records while others make a living out of it. There are also those who conduct genealogical researches as a hobby or pastime.

Whatever your reason is, it is still best to discover one's family tree with the aid of genealogy charts. Through the internet, it would be easier for you to conduct your own family research. Try to make use of all available resources on the net including the websites of certain organizations because they are just keystrokes away. You can also do it offline, which means browsing through the yellow pages for quite some time. But once you find what you're looking for, it's definitely worth it.

Many years ago, this task was almost impossible to do. Even genealogists have to spend countless hours in the library, travelling to different places just to get results, and writing campaigns. You're lucky now especially if you have your own computer and internet connection at home. You can also log into internet shops so that you can easily conduct your research online.

There are actually two ways to record all your information. One is through a genealogy chart that you can download for free online and the other is by making your own paper chart. These two ways are effective as long as you put all our researched information on the charts provided. Another thing that you shouldn’t forget is to always maintain a backup record of all your materials. If you carefully do all of these things, then soon enough, you can have an intriguing insight about your family's history.

Now, isn’t genealogy interesting? So what are you waiting for? Start tracing your own family tree and enjoy your journey to your ancestors.

How to Do Everything Genealogy

Is Online Shopping Secure?

2012-01-15T20:31:00.002-05:00

Whether or not online shopping is secure is one question which gets asked over and over again by those who are considering making a purchase online. Unfortunately there is no simple answer to this question which will apply to all online shopping situations. However, there is a list of questions which online shoppers can ask to assist them in determining whether or not it is safe to purchase the item they are seeking online. A few of these questions deal with the online retailer’s reputation, the security of the server and the return policy offered on the items. This article will discuss some of these questions in an effort to help readers make informed decisions regarding online shopping.

Is the Online Retailer Reputable?

Determining whether or not an online retailer is reputable should be the first step shoppers take before deciding whether or not to make a purchase online from a particular online retailer. This is important because shoppers are much more likely to be satisfied with purchased from a reputable breeder than they are to be satisfied when the purchase is made from an online retailer with a less than favorable reputation.

There are a few methods shoppers can use to verify the reputation of the online retailer. Consulting the Better Business Bureau is just one of these methods which can be very beneficial to the shopper. Here the shopper can find information regarding previous complaints against the online retailer and can use this information to determine whether or not the retailer has a reputation for dealing fairly with customers. Online retailers who have been in business for a few years and do not have any complaints against them or have very few complaints against them can generally be trusted while shoppers should be wary of consumers who have many unresolved complaints against them or who have only been in business for a short period of time.

Is the Server Secure?

The security of the server used to complete the online purchase should also be questioned by online shoppers. This is a valid concern because identity theft can cause a tremendous amount of problems for the shopper. However, there is a very simple way in which an online shopper can determine whether or not the website is secure. Whenever submitting sensitive data such as credit card information the shopper should carefully examine the web address. A secure website will have a prefix of https:// while an unsecured website will have a prefix of http://. If the website is not secure the online shopper should consider making the purchase by calling customer service instead of submitting the information via the unsecured website where it can be vulnerable to being intercepted.

What is the Return Policy?

Carefully reviewing the return policy of an online retailer can also give the shopper a good indication of whether or not the seller is reputable. In general the return policies offered by online retailers should be very similar in nature to the return policies offered by traditional retailers with the exception of special provisions for handling the shipping of the product back to the retailer. Return policies which are unusually restrictive should be considered suspect by the shopper and may indicate a need for the shopper to do some additional research before deciding whether or not to patronize a particular online retailer.

The Official Identity Theft Prevention Handbook: Everyone's Identity Has Already Been Stolen - Learn What You Can Do About It

Protect Yourself Against Financial Fraud

2012-01-14T13:41:00.001-05:00

Try to deal only with businesses and other organizations you already know or that have been recommended. When in doubt, contact your state or county's consumer protection office (listed in the blue pages of your phone book) or the Better Business Bureau.Get key details of a significant offer in writing and thoroughly check them out before agreeing to anything. Make sure you understand your responsibilities and the potential risks before entering into any transaction."If the person making the sales pitch only focuses on the benefits or the promised return and brushes over the costs and potential risks, the seller may not be acting in your best interest and the product may not be appropriate for you," warned Michael Benardo, manager of the FDIC's Financial Crimes Section.Closely monitor credit card bills and bank statements. Look at your monthly statements as soon as they arrive and report a discrepancy or anything suspicious, such as a missing payment or an unauthorized withdrawal.Periodically review your credit reports for signs that an ID thief is misusing your name. Credit reports, which are prepared by companies called credit bureaus, summarize each person's history of paying debts and other bills. If your credit report lists a credit card, a loan or a lease you never signed up for, chances are a con artist is attempting to commit fraud using your identity.Under a new federal law, you are entitled to one free credit report each year from each of the nation's three major credit bureaus. Experts suggest spreading out your requests throughout the year to maximize your protection. To get a free report, call toll-free 1-877-322-8228.Remember the red flags of a fraud. You can avoid scams or help determine if an ill or elderly relative is a victim or target of fraud if you know some of the classic warning signs. They include: * Unsolicited offers from strangers or unfamiliar companies that sound too good to be true, including mail or phone calls proclaiming an elderly person to be the "winner" of prizes or investment "opportunities;" * Requests to send money or bank account information before a promised product or service is delivered; * Pressure to quickly say "yes" to a proposal, especially an oral offer to sell you financial products, household equipment or home repairs that you may not really need; * Indications of cash shortages when the elderly person should have enough money coming in; and * Checks payable to unfamiliar people or businesses for reasons that the elderly person can't explain.Immediately report a fraud or theft to the proper authorities.

Free sources in your research for your genealogy

2012-01-14T13:40:00.000-05:00

Isn't it interesting to know more about your ancestral timeline several generations ago? If you are on the search for reliable sources that will serve as your reference documents, the internet is a good resource material. It has always contained the vast data that can help in your research. The great advantage when using the internet is that the genealogist can save both money and effort. Aside from the ancestral timeline, some people also would want to know the details about their recent generations. In the quest of finding this out, genealogy becomes a serious study that takes an investment. There are some helpful pointers that can give ease to your research. Whether you are new or a professional genealogist, you must know that there could be other researchers that work on your genealogy. One way to find out is to check on the published works of the surnames involved in your family tree. Some of these researchers publish their works on their website for other people to visit. Other helpful tools that can also be found in the internet are the searchable indexes that contain references needed in your study. The genealogical or historical society is an institution that you can ask help from. They are found in the towns where your ancestors once lived. This is an excellent source of information on how life was during the time of your great, great grandparents. The genealogical or historical society keeps the records of local directories, the list of buried people even in inactive burial spots, and newspaper archives. The advantage of seeking help from this institution is that this is run by volunteers who have been oriented with some genealogical facts. This also contains addresses of other societies which have links to their webs. Way back in 1800's, the US and Europe has the long tradition of funeral cards or mourning cards. These are also great sources for genealogists. There are also web sites that deal on the indexing of these cards. You can visit these sites and search for the surnames that you need.Newspapers are also good sources of local information. They usually contain valuable information about people who have lived a few years ago. The online newspaper archive is a searchable site that takes the place of microfilm reels. However, it would be advantageous if you have some information about your ancestors such as the event where they have been involved. When you search in online newspaper archives, you type the surname and the keyword, which is resembled by the event. The newspaper online is updated regularly that makes their information reliable.Another research tool that is helpful in genealogy is the indexed census. Aside from this, there are other transcribed records which are also available online. Such records of birth, marriage and death information are available in some databases. There are various research tools that help in the search of your ancestry. There are free and accessible sources that only proper organization provide.

Wine Experts Guide - New Website Launch

2012-01-10T16:28:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone! I am pleased to announce the launch of my new website - Wine Experts Guide!

Please visit me at http://WineExpertsGuide.com

Easy Genealogy Search with the Right Tools

2012-01-10T14:26:00.000-05:00

To be successful with your genealogy search, there are helpful tools which can aid you to find your ancestors.

By Word of Mouth

Story-telling from immediate family members and relatives is the most common step one undertakes when doing a genealogy search. Oral history is the appropriate term for this in genealogy studies.

The memories of an individual are evidences you can gather to track your lineage. Face-to-face interaction is not the only means of communication you can assume when doing oral history. You can also opt to send a letter by post indicating your motive. Phone interviews can also be done.

It is best to prepare a set of questions when doing an interview, may it be formal or informal, to avoid repetitions.

Through the Internet

With the advent of technology, you can now enjoy a hassle-free genealogy search through the internet. The internet offers different genealogy search website. You can choose from a paid or free service to help you with your search.

There are several information you can gather through the internet such as your ancestor's surname. Different documents can also be obtained via the internet such as papers concerning your ancestor's birth, marriage, and death. In some sites, the location and type of employment can also be viewed.

Through DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

DNA testing is a medical technology utilized to determine and establish proof of the existing relationship of one person to the other. There are two types of DNA testing which can be done to help you with your genealogy search:

1. Y-line Test – this type of DNA test is extremely helpful to genealogists due to its distinctive features. Y-chromosome is only present with male individuals which are passed on from father to son. Additionally, the said chromosome is the only chromosome that breaks out in the repeated rearrangement of the parental genes.
2. mtDNA Test – mtDNA Test is the short term for mitochondrial DNA test. This type of DNA test is also known as the "maternal lineage test." The test determines if the individuals has the same maternal lineage.

Start Your Genealogy Search Here

Here are the most common signs of identity theft

2012-01-10T14:18:00.001-05:00

Your credit card statement has charges you did not make.

You get bills for accounts you never opened.

You are denied credit for no apparent reason.

Money is missing from your bank account.

Get a copy of your credit report. Note accounts you did not open and account balances that are suspiciously high. Contact the major credit reporting companies. Ask them to place a “Fraud Alert” on your report. This alerts businesses to verify your identity before issuing credit and stops thieves from opening new accounts in your name.

File an “Identity Theft Police Report” at your local police station and keep a copy.

Contact companies that have reported accounts you did not open or charges you didn’t make. Send them a copy of your police report and a certified letter disputing the fraudulent charges.

Keep a record of your calls and letters.

Protecting Yourself From Identity Theft Is Easier Than You Think

2012-01-10T14:16:00.001-05:00

Your identity is stolen when someone uses your name, social security number, or other personal information to get credit cards or loans.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports there were 9 million cases of identity theft last year with losses to consumers of more than $5 billion. The simplest kind is credit card fraud, which accounts for over 60% of identity theft.

Check for identity theft by reviewing your credit report at least once a year. You can get a free credit report every 12 months by calling (877) 322-8228 or online and the Annual Credit Report web site.

Review your credit report for accounts you did not open and for account balances that are suspiciously high.

Only carry the credit and identification cards you need. Make copies of the cards you carry and keep them in a safe place. If your wallet disappears, you will have the information you need to report them as lost or stolen.

Do not respond to e-mail messages or telephone calls asking for personal and financial information.

A Must Have Investigative Resource

Happy New Year - 2012

2011-12-31T23:11:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year everyone! I wish everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous 2012!

Genealogy Tip Of The Day

2011-12-30T15:14:00.000-05:00

When tracing your family tree be sure to check family bibles. While dates may not always be exact; family bibles are an excellent research resource for family history.

Password Protection - Tip #3

2011-12-29T17:24:00.000-05:00

How many of us are guilty of creating a password for our computer or online accounts with a password that a monkey could guess? I know I have been guilty of it in the past. How many of us never change our password? Again, I was one of the biggest culprits of this password protection sin in the past. Do you write down you passwords and leave it close by in case you forget it? Here are a few tips that will help keep your private personal information safe:

* Memorize your password

* Do not share your password

* If you write your password down, keep it in a safe place - like maybe a locked safe

* Change your password occasionally

* Create STRONG password - use upper case letters, lower case letters and
number or symbol combinations

Lets hear your thoughts or horror stories on this topics.

Social Networking Sites - Tip #2

2011-12-28T11:23:00.000-05:00

Identity Theft and Awareness - Tip #2

While social networking sites are great for keeping in connect with friends and family; they provide identity thieves an excellent opportunity to obtain your personal information. Make sure you check your profile settings and allow only family and friends that you trust access to your personal information. Do not leave it open to the general public.

Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness - Tip #1

2011-12-27T17:58:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone. As of today, I will start providing identity theft prevention and awareness tips on a regular basis. If you come across some great information in regards to identity theft please be sure to share on this blog!

Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness - Tip #1
Always be sure to log out of any accounts that you may have open prior to leaving your computer.

The Importance of Identity Theft Awareness & Prevention

2011-12-26T21:42:00.000-05:00

As a former Military Police Officer, Counterintelligence Special Agent and Internal Investigator, I am keenly aware of the threat of identity theft. Our personal information is floating in cyberspace, thrown away as junk mail, and handed to cashiers on a regular basis. A few precautions you can take to avoid being a victim of identity theft are shred junk mail, only utilize trusted sites on the internet when providing personal information and only reply to emails from people/businesses you know. These painless steps can greatly reduce your expose to identity theft.

Welcome to the launch of my newest blog

2011-12-26T18:50:00.000-05:00

Just a quick thank you for checking out my newest blog. As you will notice, this blog focuses on the topic of fact finding/people locating. You will find the most up to date information and resources in regards to genealogy, background checks, criminal checks, identity theft/prevention, employment checks/verifications, etc. If you find what you feel is better or more up to date information or resources, please post that information to this blog.