Hand Marks - Elaborate Symbols that Replace an Ancestor's Signature

Many of you know that I conduct extensive research into the Dutch who settled in New Netherland (present day New York) in the early 1600s. One of the very interesting items found about these Dutch ancestors is that they used handmarks, or signatory marks.

A handmark is a representation of a signature (an individual's name).

Handmarks range from a very simple X to a stylized letter (often the first letter of the first or last name of the individual) to very elaborate designs.

The handmarks you see in the graphic in this post are just a few from "Papers Relating to the Condition of New Netherland" dating from 1643-1647 as found in Vol. 1 of Documents Relative to the Colonial History of the State of New York

The list of men making their marks on a letter sent to is as follows. I will be adding graphics to illustrate each man's handmark on my website under the New Netherland section for those who are interested or have an ancestor listed below.

Wolphert Gerrits
Barent Dircksen
Louis Crain (possibly Theunis Cray)
Cornelis Lambertsen Cool
Cornelis Jacobsen Stille
Abraham Jacobse(n)
Claes Caerlessen (Carstersen)
Claes Montelaar
Gerrit Wolpherts
George Hans (Holmes)
Hans Hansen
Thomas Sandersen
Ambrosius Loman (Lonnan)
Jan Picces
Pieter Adriaensen
Ritchert Colfeck
Heyndrick Heyndricksen
Lawrens Pietersen
Cornelis Souleman
Cornelis Swilwan
Laurens Pietersen (a different mark from Lawrens Pietersen above)
Jan Haer
Isack de Forest
Jacob Stoffelsen
Wolfert Gerritsen (a different mark than Wolfert Gerrits above)
Goris Bastelaer
Egbert Woutersen

There were men who could write their own names and did not use a hand mark.They were Jan Snedeker, Sibert Claesen, Abram Planck, Cornelis Wiletnsen, Pieter Colet, Abraham Pietersen, Jan Jansen Damen, Heindrick Heindricksen Kype, Cornelis Volckers, Govert Loockemans, Isack de Forest, Isack Allerton, Barent Jansen, Willem Adriaensen, Thomas Hall, Claes Jansen Ruter, Wilheim Gaulders, Jan Verbauge, Cornelis Dircksen Hoochlant, Benjamin Pawley, Richard ____, Cornelis Twits (probably meant for Swit), Jan Pathaway, P.R. Gichhous, Phlipe Grave, Albert Jansen, Cornelis Willemsen, Pieter Linde, Ritchert Gebbers, Jacob Couwenhoven, Reiner Jansen and
Jan Verbrugh

Thanks to Ted Snedeker for spotting these handmarks and passing the information on.

Immigration Explorer - an Interactive Map

"Select a foreign-born group to see how they settled across the United States."

That's what the heading says on this page I was exploring late last night. It's an interactive map and I found it really interesting.

The map is online at The New York Times. There's a sliding scale for time period 1880 - 2000.

Basically the map shows us immigration patterns since 1880. We can see at a glance where immigrants from various countries settled, and how much of the state they inhabit. You can use the sliding scale for the time period you want, this allows you to see changes in settlement patterns. You can choose a foreign-born group (Canadian, English, etc) and see where they tended to settle.

Very interesting! One caveat - don't try this if you are on dialup as I am. I had to go to my sister-in-law's house (in civilization) to use this map!

Finding English ancestors in the National Archives UK

I've been enjoying searching the National Archives website The National Archives is the official archive of the UK Government and they hold over 10 million records.

I've discovered that you can search the archives, then order records of interest if an ancestor's name appears. For example I searched for my King and Dawson ancestors who lived in Suffolk England in the late 1700s, early 1800s. Lo and behold I found 6 very interesting records, including a Bastardy maintenance order served on my 4th great grandfather James King in 1792. The order was for the maintance of a child of Hannah Blandon, single woman - who later married James and became my 4th great grandmother.

Depending on the record you find, you can order it online through the National Archives or you order it from whatever archives has it in their possession. In my case the Bastardy order is housed in the Ipswich Record office, and a clickable link was provided to their website. I wrote to the email address provided and asked for the records. It took several days but I received a reply quoting me a cost (very reasonable) and two forms to fill out and mail back.

I spent several hours last week searching this amazing resource and plan to go back tonight to search for more English ancestors.

Randy's Choice of BEST new genealogy blog for 2009

Randy Seaver, blogger extraordinaire of GeneaMusings.com starts his blog post today with

I'm going to start highlighting genealogy blogs that add significant value to the genea-blogosphere. This may be a regular weekly feature at Genea-Musings!

I want to start the series by mentioning the absolute BEST new genealogy blog for 2009, in my humble opinion. There are quite a few new blogs, but this one, in my book, is number one.

Read Randy's post to find out what Blog he has chosen as Best New Genealogy Blog of 2009

At the risk of spoiling Randy's article, I have to add that I am very honoured and delighted by Randy's pick! (That was a huge hint but please read Randy's blog post)

Irish Times Archives 1859-2009 FREE until April 5

The Irish Times Digital Archives is FREE from March 27/09 to April 5/09. It covers the years 1859 to 2009

Enjoy this wonderful 150th Birthday Celebration!

Using Medical Records to Find an Ancestor

Medical records are an often-overlooked genealogy resource. If you want to hunt for your ancestor in medical records you will need to investigate what records were kept for your area of interest, where they are archived and if you can access them.

Medical Records in Ontario are held in various places - some are at the Ontario Archives, others are with the original institution.

To obtain these records, you should begin with the Ontario Archives. Find out what they have, and then how to request it. For example, Queen Street Hospital in Toronto has records that go back to 1839. There are nineteenth century records for institutions in London, Hamilton, and Kingston and from Penetanguishene from 1904.

Files less than 100 years old are restricted under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.Requests for access must be submitted in writing to the
Access Unit of the Archives of Ontario.

Files created in whole or in part on or after 6 April 1954 are restricted under the Mental Health Act. Requests for access to records in Archives' custody must be submitted in writing to the Administrator of the appropriate psychiatric
hospital.

Here's a partial list of the Ontario Archives psychiatric files and holdings

My husband and I were able to obtain almost 100 pages of one of his great-aunt's medical files from the Insane Asylum in London Ontario for 1912, by applying to the Ontario Archives under the Freedom of Information Act. Some of the information in her files was blacked out by the Chief Archivist because it was not felt those notations should be read by us, but overall, the information found in the notes was amazing and very detailed.

Footnote.com Releases Great Depression collection

Lindon, Utah - March 26, 2009 – Footnote.com, the premier history website for original content, announced today the launch of its Great Depression Collection, which provides unique insights into life’s struggles and the financial challenges Americans faced during the 1930s.

The Great Depression Collection includes millions of digitized and indexed documents including historical newspapers. Visitors to Footnote.com can view original pages featuring articles and advertisements that reveal fascinating details about what was happening in Washington, D.C., as well as in mainstream America. Visitors can also read articles about Roosevelt’s New Deal or see how much groceries cost during the time of the Depression.

As part of this collection, Footnote.com is pleased to introduce the first ever Interactive 1930 US Census. Footnote.com has combined innovative technology with the 1930 Census to create an interactive experience allowing members to contribute their own family photos, documents and stories by attaching them to the names on the census.

“On Footnote.com, the 1930 Census is taking on a new role: a gathering place for the American story,” said Russ Wilding, CEO of Footnote.com. “Now all those stories that our parents and grandparents told us about the Depression have a place to come together and be preserved for future generations.”

In addition to contributing to the census documents, members can automatically create Footnote Pages for any individual found in the census. Footnote Pages allow users to create:

Timelines
Photo galleries
Maps
Links to other Footnote Pages

These pages can serve as memorial pages, research pages, or simply a starting place where individual shoeboxes of memories and memorabilia can be uploaded.

Footnote.com has successfully created a social framework around historical documents. Numerous people have already made hundreds of thousands of contributions on the site. “If you had family in America in 1930, you will most likely find them in the census,” continues Wilding. “We encourage all to come to Footnote.com and add your family story and preserve our nation’s heritage.”

To view the Great Depression Collection, including the Interactive 1930 US Census, please visit Footnote.com

From England to Arkell - a Genealogy Book

From England to Arkell: The story of two pioneer settlers, Lewis & Thomas King who left Suffolk England for the Wilds of Upper Canada in 1831

A Genealogy to 4 Generations following their descendants in Ontario, Alberta, Australia & Michigan by Lorine McGinnis Schulze




My book on this family is ready for the printer. It is 87 pages (8 12/x11, coil bound) of documents, photos and stories. The will of Lewis King and the estate papers for Thomas King filed by his widow are among the orignal documents scanned and added to the book. Also included is a Genealogy Report of the Descendants of Lewis & Elizabeth King as well as descendants of Thomas and his first wife Harriet King, to 4 Generations.

Read more about this book on the King family of Arkell Ontario and their descendants

Ten People All Genealogists Should Follow On Twitter

In the confusing and often cluttered world of Genealogy enthusiasts, Genealogy bloggers, Facebook users and Twitter lovers, it's often difficult to know whose blog you should read, which Twitter user you should follow, or what Facebook personality to be friends with. Most of us have too few hours in the day to read every blog or follow every Twitter update out there.

How can we glean the best of the pack?

Thomas MacEntee of Geneabloggers group on Facebook has helped us out in one area with his blog list of Ten People All Genealogists Should Follow On Twitter

Personally I'd add Thomas' blog to the list! Don't forget to bookmark it when you read the list of Top Ten.

For those who didn't know, I'm on Twitter and you can follow my Genealogy updates and tweets at http://twitter.com/LorineMS

You can also become a Fan of Olive Tree Genealogy interactive page on Facebook at
http://facebook.com/pages/Olive-Tree-Genealogy/16127378259

Monmouth New Jersey Workshop on Colonial Records

Monmouth County Genealogy Society will presents the workshop, "Colonial Records, 1607-1800," 8:50 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 21 at Eatontown Community Center, 68 Broad St.

Workshop topics will include colonial handwriting, church records, land records, military records, tax records and Census substitutes and New England Research. Cost is $40 for nonmembers, and $30 for members (membership is $20). Attendees should bring your lunch and beverages, and desserts will be provided.

For more information, e-mail jborchardt@comcastDOTnet

Don't miss the online Colonial New Jersey Genealogy Records

Genealogy Today Releases Live Roots Gadget for Second Life

Genealogy Today (www.genealogytoday.com) announced the release of a software gadget for residents in the Second Life (SL) virtual world. This new tool, called the Genealogy HUD, allows SL residents (also known as avatars) to seamlessly access many of the resources at LiveRoots.com from within the virtual reality environment. HUD stands for Heads up display, and is type of object that can be worn, functions like a control panel, but cannot seen by other residents.

"Many people think Second Life is all about games and role playing, which there is plenty of," commented Illya D'Addezio, owner of Genealogy Today. "But, there are also an increasing number of genealogists joining, dozens of genealogy content areas developing, and numerous voice chats taking place on a regular basis. The Genealogy HUD is a free tool that will allow more dynamic interaction between genealogists in Second Life."

The Genealogy HUD functions in parallel to the LiveRoots.com website; SL residents may Search, Navigate and Discover genealogy resources in a similar manner. Using the HUD, they may also preview search results from many of the Live Roots database partners. As new features are added to LiveRoots.com, they are also available through the HUD (without requiring any software upgrades).

Aside from accessing the LiveRoots.com website for real-time information, the Genealogy HUD allows residents to compile a list of the surnames they are researching and compare them with any other residents wearing the HUD. This feature is optional, and the SL resident has complete control over whether their information many be shared.

The Genealogy HUD also makes it easy to locate and visit genealogy related areas within Second Life, including new areas as they are developed. Information entered into the HUD may be backed up and restored, avoiding having to reenter it whenever a new HUD version is released.

"Second Life takes social networking to another level," added Illya. "Hanging out with some friends around a campfire for a genealogy chat (either text, voice or both) is so much more enjoyable than the traditional 'chat rooms' that offered a generic text-only interface with no visual interaction. More and more genealogists are showing up each week to the scheduled chats that are hosted by experienced genealogists."

To obtain a copy of the Genealogy HUD, SL residents should visit the club house in the Live Roots Genealogy Zone (building with the Live Roots logo above the door). The HUD (when not worn) is a small rectangular cube with the Live Roots logo on all sides. It's currently located inside, and to the right of the entrance.

Live Roots Genealogy Zone (to obtain the HUD)
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Assiettes/172/28/50

For a complete list of the HUD commands, visit
http://www.liveroots.com/about/genealogy_hud.html

The Live Roots ambassador in Second Life is Constantine Kyomoon.

About Second Life

Linden Lab launched Second Life, an acclaimed 3D online world, in 2003. Inhabited by hundreds of thousands of people from across the globe, the Second Life virtual world has a fully functioning economy and empowers its users to create content, interact with others, launch businesses, collaborate and educate.

A single Basic account is FREE. You must be 18 years or older to join the Second Life virtual world. When you register and become a Resident of Second Life, you choose a unique name for your new digital persona (i.e. avatar). Other Residents will only know your real identity if you choose to tell them. To get started, you will need to download the Second Life viewer (see system requirements link below).

To join Second Life, visit:
http://www.secondlife.com/

Second Life System Requirements
http://secondlife.com/support/sysreqs.php

Michigan Death Records Online

The Seeking Michigan site is a growing collection of unique historical information that - through digitized source documents, maps, films, images, oral histories and artifacts - creatively tells the stories of Michigan’s families, homes, businesses, communities and landscapes.

Seeking Michigan’s first major project is the digitization of roughly 1 million death records covering the years 1897 through 1920. These records - never before available electronically - are indexed for easy searching by name, death date, location and age, and hold tremendous research opportunities for genealogists, historians and students.

With plans in place to add much more material, Seeking Michigan currently includes:

More than 100,000 pages of Civil War documents;
Approximately 10,000 photographs;
A variety of Michigan sheet music;
Roughly 1 million death records;
A rich section about Michigan’s 44 past governors;
Works Progress Administration data (circa 1936-1942) about land and buildings throughout rural Michigan; and
Oral histories with notable Michigan residents.

NOTE FROM LORINE: The launch of the Michigan Death Records yesterday caused overload on the website servers. Seeking Michigan is moving to a new server and until that happens, the death records are not available. From my searches yesterday before the crash, I found several ancestors so am looking forward to them being back up and running!

WW1 Records Found in Red Cross Archives

Detective work by a British historian has unearthed information that could enable thousands to piece together their family histories.

Peter Barton had been commissioned by the Australian government to carry out research, following the discovery of a mass grave on World War I battlefield at Fromelles in France.

That trail led him to the Red Cross Museum in Geneva, and to the card indexes and registers compiled between 1914 and 1918. Details include whereabouts of prisoners, their condition or injuries at the time of capture, and the location of field burials.

Some of the records refer to other mass graves, with exact directions as to where they were dug, and the identities of the soldiers who were buried. Where possible, the registers include home addresses and next of kin.

The Red Cross is working to bring the archive to digitise the records and they hope to have the archive online by 2014. Read more about WW1 Records Found in Red Cross Archives

*****************
For more Military Records see The Canadian Military Heritage Project

CanadaGenWeb's Cemetery Project updated

CanadaGenWeb's Cemetery Project has been updated!

BRITISH COLUMBIA
Photos of Rolla Community Cemetery, Peace River

NEW BRUNSWICK
Photos and partial transcripts have been posted for

Kings County:
- Southfield Cemetery
- Trinity Anglican Cemetery , Sussex Corner
- Pioneer Cemetery, Penobsquis
- Bayview Cemetery
- Cardwell Baptist Cemetery
- Newtown Baptist Cemetery

Westmorland County:
- Steeves' Mountain Cemetery
- Elmwood Cemetery, Moncton
- Boundary Creek Cemetery

NOVA SCOTIA
Photos and partial transcripts have now been updated for Mount Olivet Cemetery, Halifax and Pleasant Hill Cemetery,Sackville.

ONTARIO
Photos of

Dundas County:
- Morewood Presbyterian Cemetery
- Morewood United Cemetery

Frontenac County:- Milton Cemetery

Hastings County:
- Belleville Cemetery
- Gilead St Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery
- Longwell Cemetery
- Victoria Cemetery

Lennox & Addington County:- Morven Cemetery

Middlesex County:- Siddall Cemetery

Parry Sound District:- Christie Cemetery

Perth County:- McIntyre Cemetery

Russell County:
- St Andrew's & St Paul's Cemetery
- St Mary's Anglican Cemetery

Stormont County: - St John's Anglican Cemetery

Victoria County:- Riverside Cemetery

York County:- St John's on the Humber / Dennison Family Cemetery

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Photos and partial transcript added for St. Anne's Cemetery,Emyvale and St. James Cemetery, Summerfield.

SASKATCHEWAN

Photos of Humboldt Cemetery, RM of Humboldt

Death Or Canada (Irish Famine Immigration to Canada)

The History Channel is showing the film Death or Canada on Monday, March 16 at 8 PM. If your ancestors came to Canada during the time of the Irish Famine, you will want to see this production.

Death or Canada is the compelling tale of how in 1847, the British Colony of Canada gave refuge to tens of thousands of Irish famine victims, who in turn were responsible for the building of North America as we know it today.

Set in 1847, the darkest year of the Irish Famine, it follows the true life story of the protestant family, John and Mary Willis who, along with their five children, abandoned their home in the west of Ireland and gambled everything on finding new lives in North America. They flee Ireland on a coffin ship and together with over 100,000 other Irish in 1847, they make their way to Canada.

Penetanguishene's Discovery Harbour was used as background in a movie. Some of the
scenes were shot there and local people were used as extras during the filming. Look for Tim Mallon, Museum Board Chairman, in the part of "Mr Pearce", an immigration
officer. He makes his appearance in the second hour and should be easy to spot in his "train conductor" costume.

Irish Canadian Emigration Records, 1823-1849 online!

New on Ancestry!
Irish Canadian Emigration Records, 1823-1849 This database contains various records and reports of Canadian emigration agents James Allison and A.J. Buchanan. Among the various records are some emigration and orphan lists. These lists are searchable by name.

The collections in this database are:
* Emigration Agent Returns of Emigrant Orphans, 1847
* Records of James Allison, Emigrant Agent At Montreal, 1823-1845
* Records of James Allison, Emigrant Agent At Montreal, 1846-1849

Also see the Request Form for a search for your ancestor in the following Books of Immigration and Ships Passenger Lists Records

*[BOOK 1] Names of Emigrants 1845-1847. Records of James Allison, Emigrant Agent at Montreal (Quebec Canada)
*[BOOKS 2-4] Canada Company Remittance Books 1843-1847 in 3 Volumes.
*[BOOK 5] Index of Passengers Who Emigrated to Canada between 1817 and 1849.

You can also consult the free Index of Names of Emigrants from the 1845-1847 Records of James Allison, Emigrant Agent at Montreal

DNA Genealogy - First Test Results on 12 Markers!

One month after my Y-DNA test kit was received by Family Tree DNA, they sent an email titled "New DNA Test Results Posted" It explained that "New Y-DNA1-12 results have been posted for your Family Tree DNA Kit" That was pretty exciting! The email explained that if I had ordered a Y-DNA 25 or 37 marker test, those results would be posted within a few weeks, as testing was done in sections.

The email went on to encourage me to join a Surname Project "Since genealogy is all about matching to people with your surname..."

Mention was made of joining a subsequent Geographic Project, and I was advised to add my DNA test results at Ysearch.org, the FTDNA sponsored public database.

Off I went. Adding my test results to YSearch was easy. Understanding my test results and matches was not. A second email had arrived the same day. Here is what it said

An exact 12 marker match has been found between you and another person in the Family Tree DNA database.

You and the other person match in all 12 loci. If you share the same surname or variant, this means that there is a 99% likelihood that you share a common ancestor in a genealogical time frame. If you match another person without the same surname or variant, you still probably share a common ancestor, but this ancestor most likely lived in the time before surnames were adopted.

I was so excited that I made what I assume is a beginner's mistake. I began writing to every single "match" shown on my test results page. This was a bit foolish on my part, and the answers I received from others demonstrated that they were as confused as I was!

I didn't wait for all my markers to be tested and I didn't stop to think that I needed to match with others carrying the same surname! (McGINNIS). I also manually entered all my markers from Family Tree DNA to Ancestry.com DNA pages
. That was mind-boggling and took quite awhile although I am glad I did it, as I found additional connections that way.

In my excitement I also rushed to pay an extra $15.00 to join the Genographic Project on the National Geographic website. In hindsight I wish I had waited until all my markers were tested and my complete DNA results in.

Because I did not understand what my matches on the 12-Marker results meant, I started reading every article and website I could find which explained DNA testing. By the end of the day I was more confused than ever. My husband was also reading up on DNA testing and seemed to grasp the concepts much quicker.

I did enjoy the National Geographic explanations and their charts and maps for my brother's Y DNA results. The website provided me with a Ancestral Journay map, a Genetic history of my lineage from Africa to the present and a Genetic Certificate. These were all printable and customizable with your own name. My brother's Y chromosomes were identified as haplogroup I1c (that sent me off to google that term to find out more!). My genetic history went on to say that members of haplogroup I1c carry these Y chromosome markers M168 > M89 > M170 > M223, and that this haplogroup is most common in Germany. There was also a nice little explanation of markers and haplogroup.

But what really confused me was that many websites noted that "I1c is now considered I2b-M223" What the heck did that mean?? I am still not sure I understand, so if anyone reading this story can explain it to me, please do.

The Geneographic Project had a very nice, easy-to-read Genetics Glossary. My husband and I read a great many articles and explanations. If you decided to test your DNA you must be prepared to read, and in many cases, struggle through an overwhelming amount of technical and scientific information.

Ancestry.com DNA pages, where I manually entered my brother's DNA test results, were very interesting. They referred to haplogroup I as "The Stonemasons" further adding that "The I1c haplogroup is found at its highest frequency in the German and Dutch populations as well as in Great Britain" Ancestry also provided an easy-to-use interface for me to see my test results compared with others.

I liked that they showed the matches as a chart with coloured squares. At the bottom of the chart was a legend explaining that the orange squares meant a match for a common ancestor within 1-6 generations, lighter orange meant 7-15 generations and so on. My top matches were with people who did not share my surname of McGinnis so that confused the heck out of me! But I was intrigued to see that one of my "matches within 7-15 generations" was for the Ontario McGinn family, who have long believed that their surname was originally McGinnis. Further explanations predicted that our common ancestor was within the last 200 years. Okay I'd have liked something closer but I'd start with anything at this point!

....to be continued

Play nice with your computer. Part Three: Steps 6 & 7

Olive Tree Genealogy is pleased to present the last of a three part series on Cleaning your computer by guest author Barbara Brown. This is something all genealogists need to do, including me!

Play nice with your computer. Part Three: Steps 6 & 7
© copyright Barbara A. Browm 2009.

Step Six
Germs reside on both the mouse and the keyboard; cleaning them is good for you as well as for the computer. Once more, remove the ball from the mouse. Put it where it will not roll, and where you will easily find it again.

Run an alcohol-soaked (rubbing alcohol, not single-malt Laphraoig) around the outside of the mouse. Pay particular attention to the bottom of the mouse. Get all the sticky stuff off the bottom; you will be surprised how much easier it glides when clean. And the key you use the most, probably the left one. Dry with a soft cloth. Do not attempt to clean the mouse ball with alcohol. If it is dirty and has bits of unidentfiable material attached, try rubbing with a soft cloth. (If still grotty, buy a new mouse. ) Replace the mouse ball.

Using the antibacterial wipes (or q-tips and rubbing alcohol) clean the edges of the keyboard and the tops of the keys.
If you have a sticky key or two, gently pry off the key with the screwdriver, turn the keyboard upside down over the disposal bag, thump. If stickiness is stubborn, use an alcohol-moistened q-tip, or one of your snazzy special purpose foam swabs.

Caution ! before you remove any keys, write down exactly where they came from. Otherwise, your next email message mojht ;ook ;oke thos.

Using only a damp lint-free cloth (or that special Monitor Cleaner you bought), wipe the screen clean. Do not let water DRIP. When the screen is clean, use that same damp cloth to wipe off the outside of the monitor, especially where there are "air holes." Do not wipe the back of the monitor with a damp cloth or anything else wet. If you insist upon doing so, first go to the kitchen and stick a fork into your toaster. At least you will save the computer.

Now is the time for those specialized CD and floppy kits if you purchased them. And now that you have seen what lives within the computer case, you will surely remember to buy them next time. If you have earphones or microphones, you might want to disinfect them with one of those anti-bacterial wipes. And if the surface can take it, spray your desk with Lysol or use those handy-dandy wipes again. Put the computer back into its accustomed spot.

Step Seven

Reattach the keyboard and mouse. Reattach the plug into the computer. Plug in the surge protector. Turn on the surge protector. Release the relations and household pets. Praise them for their help. Enjoy your new cool-running computer.

---------------------------
This article may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, email, messaging system, or mailing lists, without the written permission of the author.

Play nice with your computer. Part Two: Steps 3, 4, 5

Olive Tree Genealogy is pleased to present the second of a three part series on Cleaning your computer by guest author Barbara Brown. This is something all genealogists need to do, including me!

Play nice with your computer. Part Two: Steps 3, 4, 5

© copyright Barbara A. Browm 2009.

Step Three

Detach the keyboard from the computer. Remember where it was connected. If you do not trust your memory, write it down (e.g. 'blue round connector, left side, third from top'). Move away from the now-clean computer area. Hold the keyboard upside down over the paper bag. Run a finger across the rows of keys to release large bits caught between the keys. Now thump gently. Thump again. When no more more cracker crumbs, cigarette ashes, dog hair, matches, or toothpicks fall out, start vacuuming. Continue to hold the keyboard upside down, carefully bring the vacuum brush closer. We do not want to suck the key covers off, merely remove the dust, dirt and debris. Set the now pristine keyboard aside for a while.

Step Four

Go and get the mouse. Again, note where it was attached. Open the back of the mouse (a slight twist on the central round cover will usually suffice). Do not lose the ball. Vacuum the inside. If there is gunk on the rollers, pry off with your fingernail. Vacuum again. Put the ball back in, the cover on, and leave the mouse by the keyboard.

Step Five

Place the computer away from your clean desk upon some sheets of newspaper. Read your manual, or if you have discarded it, try to figure out how to get the cover off. Next time, save the manual. Remove the side panel. If you do not see dust, dog hair, cat hair, cookie crumbs, suspicious clumps, or anything else which looks like it does not belong there, congratulate yourself, replace the cover, and go to Step Six

If, however, the inside is murky, carefully vacuum NEAR the computer. You do not want to pull out ribbon connectors or wires or boards. (The replacement of loose connections is a topic which requires much more detail than can be provided here). Do NOT put the vacuum nozzle INTO the computer. Vacuuming thusly might cause static electricity, which is a definte no-no around computers. Put a large sheet of newspaper behind the computer tower. Ensure that nothing precious is behind the computer.

Remove the (usually plastic) cover from the fan. Carefully insert the screwdriver just far enough in to prevent the fan from turning. Take your can of compressed air and blow from inside to outside. When most of the gunk is gone, reverse and clean from outside to inside. Look around for another fan, and repeat the process. When the can of compressed air gets cold, put it aside and start using a new one. Spray carefully around the inside of the computer. Chase the dust and hair out of corners, off the cards, off the connectors.

Now carefully fold up that sheet of newspaper, discard it into the paper bag, and vacuum up whatever stray grit and dust came from the fan cleaning.

Coming next Play nice with your computer. Part Three: Steps 6 & 7
---------------------------
This article may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, email, messaging system, or mailing lists, without the written permission of the author.

Play nice with your computer. Part One: Steps 1 & 2

Olive Tree Genealogy is pleased to present a three part series on Cleaning your computer by guest author Barbara Brown. This is something all genealogists need to do, including me!

Play nice with your computer

© copyright Barbara A. Browm 2009.

I know you have access to a computer, because you are reading this. And I know that you occasionally snack whilst at the computer, because you are human. And therefore, I know that the inside of your computer is a mess. Pet hair, bug dander, crumbs, loose mattress stuffing, lint, dust, flakes, and other unspecified particles have taken up residence within your computer. Messy computers become overheated computers which become short-lived computers.

Computers are expensive. Cleaning them is not. Computers should be cleaned at least twice a year for Compulsively Neat People and every other month for Average Discriminating Folks. And if your computer's fan is whining, whirring, snuffling or creaking loudly, it is definitely time for PC Grooming.

Go to the store, and get a couple of cans of compressed air. You will need more than one can. Compressed air is sold in office supply stores, computer and department stores, club or discount stores. Buy a new mouse pad. If you are in the mood, also purchase special-purpose cleaners ( foam swabs, a screen cleaner cloth, floppy drive or cd/dvd-drive cleaning kit, cleaning kits for the mouse, printer, scanner, what-have-you).) Set aside an hour for this.

Gather up your compressed air, a duster, a large paper bag for discards, newspaper, a soft lint-free cloth, a slender screwdriver, the portable battery-operated vacuum ( rated 'ESD-safe' ), q-tips and rubbing alcohol or antibacterial wipes, your new computer cleaning kits, pencil and paper. You might want a dust mask, and you might want to move to the back porch for this process. Arrange a Play Date for your children, spouses, in-laws and pets or sequester them in another location. Bribe them with a toothsome snack. Otherwise they will want to help and they will want to explore the inner workings of the computer. Such curiosity is cute but antithetical to Proper PC Hygiene.

Step One

First, before you turn off the computer, make backup copies of anything you hold dear. Tidying the computer innards should not affect any of your data, but Murphy's Law reigns. And you needed to back up anyway. OK. Turn off the computer. Completely off. Turn off the surge protector too. Remove the surge protector plug from the wall outlet. Remove the plug from the computer. (What? You don't have a surge protector??? Go back to the store and get one before you go any further).

Step Two

Remove the assembled pens, pencils, forks, spoons, papers, gum wrappers, paper clips, Milk-Bones, credit cards, junk mail catalogues, take-out containers, and that long-lost spare key. Put this stuff someplace far away from the computer for later sorting and disposal. Carefully vacuum around the computer; the desk, the wall behind, the floor nearby. Dust the outside of the computer with your duster paying particular attention to the air vents.

Now using the brush attachment, carefully vacuum the outside of the computer but not the back connection panel. Lift the computer carefully, move to a nearby clean spot, and vacuum the spot where the computer was. Vacuum the outside of the computer fans (behind a grille) by carefully inserting the screwdriver just far enough into the grate to prevent the fan from turning, and then hold the vacuum brush away from the grate..

Coming Next: Play nice with your computer. Part Two: Steps 3, 4, 5
---------------------------
This article may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, email, messaging system, or mailing lists, without the written permission of the author.