A mix of information

My normal reading preferences are books that can be read in a day or two between trying to check off a daily list of “to-dos”. This last two weeks, having a bit more time on my hands, I tackled a book that I bought at a garage sale two years ago while on a trip in Utah. “At Dawn We Slept”, written by George W. Prange was first published in 1981 and covers both the Japanese and American historical memories of the time leading up to Pearl Harbor plus the hearings conducted by the United States following the infamous attack. The book was 753 pages long and George’s lengthy discourse was backed by 132 pages of reference material and notes. It has invaluable perceptions concerning Asiatic thought process of course centered on a Japan that no longer exists but is still interesting considering the way the world is today. Again, this is my opinion, but it also provides a glaring example of how politics, news reports, and the military do not always blend into a common interest, the safeguarding of our country.

Considering that of my male relatives of service age during World War II, 100 % served, my father in the submarine service, my uncle trapped in a ship at the bottom of Pearl Harbor and rescued when the hull was cut open to allow him and his fellow shipmates to escape, the study of America’s “Greatest Generation” draws my interest. If it beckons you, I will place the book in the SWNGS library in the next couple of weeks with the notation that it may be checked out to read.

This weekend is when the St. Patrick’s school gala is being held and where you can bid on research packages made available by SWNGS. These packages are a new twist on our society’s goal to become involved in community action and helping to support the school appealed to us. Even if you are not interested in genealogy, perhaps you could bid on a package for a relative or friend that is.

Now for a tip that I intend to make use of myself. Family Tree has created a free download that you can use to analyze your own tree even if it is not within the FT format. Family Tree Analyzer is a free download in which you can drop your GEDCOM (Genealogy Data Communication) files and is available for use on a Windows operating system. Once you have downloaded it, as an example, you can go to your Ancestry.com account, export features, select tree pages, tree settings, export tree.

After reviewing the data in your tree, FT Analyzer will present you with the ability to sort information under several tabs, such as Individuals, Locations, etc., but the best use may be their Data Errors tab which will pinpoint things like a marriage date prior to a birth date, an age span which is impossible, and several other really useful highlights which will help to “clean up” problems within your tree. I’m excited to give it a try!

Finally, I have a gentleman who is searching for a 1930’s two room school house that was located south of McCook. His father was born in McCook, surname, Rippen, and attended school there. He believes that the last time he was able to view the school was approximately 20 years ago and is looking for a cross address so that he can view the area on Google such as HWY 83 and a road number or two road numbers. Any help will be appreciated.

SWNGS has been fortunate to find two larger screens for our computers to make viewing results much easier. Open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-4 PM, the SWNGS library is located at 110 West C, Suite M-3. Join us for help with your research questions.