Family History Through the Alphabet – NGS Bible Records

For 26 weeks I will take you on a family history journey through the alphabet, one letter at a time.  I have decided that each post will be educational in nature, focusing on topics related to resources, methodology, tools, etc.  Although the challenge is complete, there are still some people who are finishing up and Alona, the host, is encouraging others to participate anyway.  Additional information on the challenge, can be found at Take the ‘Family History Through the Alphabet’ Challenge. 

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I have had the NGS Bible Records collection on my list of things to explore for quite some time.  Now I have an excuse to check it out and of course write about it and share the resource with my readers.

The National Genealogical Society has been collecting Bible records for many years (they do not collect the original Bibles, just copies of applicable pages).  They index all the names in the Bible and make them available in a searchable database to NGS members.  There are even PDF files that contain the images of the copied pages, and some also include the transcription if one was sent with the copies.

To access this collection, you have to be a member of NGS.  Visit the NGS website and click on the Members Only tab in the menu at the top. 

Login, and then choose Database Resources from the left-side menu.

Then choose NGS Bible Records from the list.  You will see a short introduction to the collection, as well as how you can submit your own records.  Then, just after that, there is an Access Now button that will take you to the database.

Now you can search the database using either a given name, surname, or both.  Be sure to check the “I Agree” button. 

Although I couldn’t find any instructions on using the search, I did refer to an article written by Shirley Langdon Wilcox in the Jan/Feb/Mar 2006 issue of the NGS Magazine entitled “Saving Our Bibles.”  In this article, she talks about the database and offers up a wildcard tip.  Using the % (percent sign) is similar to using the * (asterisk) on Ancestry.  It represents one or more characters, so for example, a search of M%ller will return Miller, Muller, and Mueller.  You could also use T% in the given name box to find all given names that start with the letter T, as well as those using initials only.

While I didn’t find anything for my own family, I did explore some of the search results.  I only have one family Bible in my possession, and it’s one of about four that I’ve seen, so it was neat to see other Bible records.

Your Turn

Have you used this resource?  If so, did you find anything interesting?  Please share…I love hearing success stories!!

NGS Call for Papers for 2014 Family History Conference

The 2014 NGS Family History Conference will be held in Richmond, Virginia, May 7-10, 2014.  I received an email earlier today announcing they will be accepting lecture proposals from speakers beginning January 1, 2013. 

The email in its entirety is included below.

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National Genealogical Society Issues Call for Papers for the
2014 Family History Conference in Richmond, Virginia

Beginning 1 January 2013, speakers as well as organizations interested in sponsoring lectures or tracks are invited to submit lecture proposals for the NGS 2014 Family History Conference, Virginia: The First Frontier, to be held 7–10 May 2014 in Richmond, Virginia. The first permanent English settlement in North America, Virginia has been home to countless individuals—some remained for generations; others moved on to the next frontier. Building on the records and history that draws so many back to their roots in the Old Dominion, we will explore the origins of those who settled within Virginia’s borders whether they came by land or sea.

Among the topics being considered are lectures on the history, records, repositories, and ethnic and religious groups of Virginia and neighboring states including Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Tennessee with special emphasis on migrations into, within, and out of the region down the Carolina and Great Wagon Roads, over the Appalachian Mountains, and across the south to Texas and beyond. Other regional topics of interest include the origins of the early settlers, land and military records (especially the French and Indian, Revolutionary, and Civil wars). Proposals are also solicited for the broader genealogical categories including federal records, the law as it relates to genealogy, methodology, analysis and problem solving, and the use of technology including genetics, mobile devices, and apps in genealogical research.

Sessions are generally limited to one hour. Camera-ready syllabus material, due 17 February 2014, is required for each lecture or workshop presentation and will be included in the syllabus distributed to all conference registrants.

Proposals should include the following information:

• speaker’s full name, address, telephone, and e-mail address
• title of the presentation, not to exceed fourteen words, and a brief but comprehensive outline
• lecture summary, not to exceed twenty-five words, to be used in the program brochure
• identification of the audience level: beginner, beginner-intermediate, intermediate, intermediate-advanced, advanced, or all
• speaker biography, not to exceed twenty-five words
• résumé of recent lectures by the speaker

Speakers are expected to use an electronic presentation program and provide their own digital projector. NGS will provide projector support, which consists of a VGA cable, cart, and power strip. No live Internet connections will be provided.

Submit each proposal electronically through the NGS website, between 1 January and 1 April 2013. Speakers may submit up to eight proposals. NGS members will be given first consideration as speakers. Interested individuals and organizations should follow published guidelines at the NGS website.

Organizations wishing to sponsor a lecture or track of lectures should review the details and sponsor requirements at Sponsored Call for Papers. The deadline to submit sponsored lectures is also 1 April 2013.

About NGS

Founded in 1903, the National Genealogical Society is dedicated to genealogy education, high research standards, and the preservation of genealogical records. The Arlington, Virginia-based nonprofit is the premier national society for everyone, from the beginner to the most advanced family historian seeking excellence in publications, educational offerings, research guidance, and opportunities to interact with other genealogists.

Friday Finds – 04/02/10

Weekly column sharing genealogy-related things that I’ve learned or found.

Article – The NGS blog informs us of “Massachusetts Senate Bill 820, which will close all vital records after 1841.”

Article – Lorine writes Meaning of Markings on Ships' Passenger List at her blog Ask Olive Tree Genealogy a Question.

News – National Genealogical Society has added six additional years of Quarterlies online.  Issues from 1996 to present are available to members online through their website.

Article – Lynn Palmero, the Armchair Genealogist, wrote the post German Genealogy - A Reader Shares Her Tips and Resources.  She shares some helpful tips and resources she got from a reader or her blog.

Article – T. K. posted some information about the Hopkins surname.  First, it’s safe to say that T.K. and I are related through Stephen Hopkins (b. 1634) and his wife Dorcas Bronson (T.K. descends through their daughter Mary, while I descend from their daughter Dorcas).  I’m interest to look at some of the links she provides in this article, particularly the argument about whether this line is related to the Stephen Hopkins of the Mayflower line.