Wait, You Can Do That at the Library?: Preserving Family Memories

The holidays are coming up and that might mean you may see family members you haven't seen in a while. This is a great time to break out the old shoeboxes full of family photos or the dusty VHS tapes of home family videos so that you can reminisce together. Now, you might think to yourself, "Self, how do I view these moments in time with my family if I don't have a VCR anymore?" Or, "Self, my family lives across the country and there's no way I'm paying for an extra checked bag by carrying these photo albums on the plane." Or, "Self, I need to clear out my house before company arrives and what better way than tossing these things taking up space?" We have a solution to some of your problems: our Digital Studio!*

Scan of a 35mm color slide from circa November 1972

Digital Studio 101

So what is the Digital Studio and how can someone use it to preserve their family memories? According to our Digital Studio webpage, "The Digital Studio will provide patrons 18+ with the means to digitally organize and preserve audio and video family history through the use of our scanners, computers, and software. The Digital Studio is intended for those who want to use the library's photo digitization equipment, audio cassette tape or VHS conversion equipment." 

The Digital Studio opened to the public in 2021 and is located on the first floor of the library opposite the Newspapers & Magazines desk near the Franklin Street entrance. Our Digital Studio has two PCs and two Macs, but this post is going to focus on the PCs and the equipment connected to them. 

Digital Studio

Baby Photos, Family Vacations, Family Portraits, and More

Our two PCs on the right side of the Digital Studio are used for separate purposes: the PC on the left is used for digitizing photos, slides, and negatives and the one on the right is used for converting VHS tapes and cassette tapes to digital video and audio files. 

We have two Epson scanners for digitizing print photos: a Epson Perfection V39 flatbed scanner used to scan one photo at a time and a Epson FastFoto FF-680W high-speed scanner that can quickly scan batches of approximately 30 photos of similar sizes at a time. The included Epson software allows for scanning customization (For example, you may use a specific image file format or resolution size if you're sharing the photo on social media versus needing a higher quality image in order to print an enlarged photo to hang on your wall).

Photo circa 1970s and the scanned image using the Epson Perfection V39 flatbed scanner

Epson FastFoto FF680-W

Finally, we have a Kodak Scanza digital film scanner that can be used to digitize slides and negatives. Most of the slides and negatives scanned using this machine are 35mm (this is what you probably have at home if you have any slides or negatives). Incidentally, the same model of the Kodak Scanza digital film scanner is available to borrow from our Library of Things collection at both the Main Library and the Frances Perkins Branch. Ask our librarians if you need help putting a LOT digital film scanner on hold. Note: a regular SD card is required to use any of our digital film scanners.

Slide Carousel with Slides of Al Banx Cartoons

Kodak Scanza Digital Film Scanner with Negative of an Old WPL Branch

Wedding Videos, School Plays, Oral Histories and More

On the video side of things, we use VidBox equipment and its included software attached to a VCR to convert VHS tapes to MP4 files in real time. In addition, we might be able to convert hi-8 tapes using a camcorder or VHS-C tapes using a VHS-c cassette adapter. Please talk to our Digital Studio staff if you have a specific question about converting videos. Unfortunately, we do not have the equipment to convert Super 8 film reels. 

Using the VidBox and VCR to Convert VHS Tape

We have the ability to convert cassette tapes to MP3 audio files in real time using a special cassette player along with Audacity software on the same PC that is used for VHS conversion. You can also use Audacity to edit the audio files after you convert them.

Super USB Cassette Capture Device

Saving and Sharing the Memories

You will need a flash drive or other method of storage to externally save your new image, audio, or video files because our computers are designed to wipe the files at the end of each computer session. There are many options for sharing your newly saved files with friends and family across the country, including using a shared cloud storage account, emailing the files, uploading to your social media account, or even snail mailing the storage device.

Teaching the Basics

Of course, we're not going to make you use all of this new-to-you equipment without giving you some instructions on how to use them. In fact, our Digital Studio orientations are mandatory in order for you to be able to use the equipment in the future. We've found that people take comfort in these orientations because they learn to use the equipment more confidently with a little metaphorical handholding. Once you are fully certified with a snazzy Certificate of Completion, the training wheels come off and you will be able to use any of this equipment by yourself without us sitting next to you. 

Certificate of Completion

Accessing the Digital Studio

Those who have received a Certificate of Completion for attending our orientations may use the space for up to two hours on a first come, first serve basis. We do block off access to the digitization and conversion section of the Digital Studio for our dedicated orientation appointment slots on Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30 P.M. and on occasion we will block off the space for scheduled one-on-one appointments with people who aren't able to make it to the Wednesday orientations. Other than that, as long as no one else is using a specific computer, that space can be all yours for the two hours once you sign in with our Newspapers & Magazines department staff. 

Touching Up Your Images or Videos

Now we did mention the Macs before, and while they're not directly used with our equipment to preserve your family photos or videos, they can be used if you want to use the Adobe Creative Cloud software to edit your files. In fact, the Digital Studio PC used for digitizing photos, slides, and negatives also has Adobe Creative Cloud (so does our Adobe computer on the 2nd floor). So, if you want to touch up a faded photo or remove an estranged relative from an image, you can freely use our Photoshop software to edit the photos. We do not offer any classes or tutorials on using any of the Adobe Creative Cloud software so it is expected you know how to use them. Access to Adobe Creative Cloud in the Digital Studio does not require a Certificate of Completion so you can just sign in first come, first serve with our Newspapers & Magazines staff.

Next Steps?

There you have it: the basic guide to what's offered in our Digital Studio and how you can use the space so you can learn how to preserve your family memories! Want to make an appointment for a Digital Studio orientation? Contact us via this form: one-on-one appointment form or see if any of our Wednesday time slots are available on our online calendar.

P.S.

*You're on your own with the cleaning and decluttering of your house: we're a library, not a housekeeping service! We do have books on those subjects if you need tips though (648.5 and 648.8 are two good call numbers to start with if you're in need of assistance!). 

Using Microfilms for Research

Did you know that the Worcester Public Library has newspapers and magazines on microfilms you can use for research? Our newspaper collection includes the Telegram and Gazette from late 1800 onwards and other local and national newspapers like the Boston Globe, Wall Street Journal and New York Times. Our magazine collection on microfilm includes hundreds of magazines with full-text articles, some obscure titles going back to the early 1900s. 

16mm microfilm reels

You may wonder what is unique about these microfilms! If we stored these old items from 1800s in print format, most of them would be too fragile to handle today. Also, they would take up rows and rows of shelving. Microfilms allow us to preserve these delicate collections for future generations in a format that is easy to use, take up very little space and are excellent sources of historical information.

35mm microfilm reels

Genealogists tracing family histories can find a wealth of information when they are looking for obituaries and death notices. If the ancestor’s death was in any way unusual, it may have even been written up as a news article where they might find clues to their ancestor's lives. 

Worcester Evening Gazette - Sept 23, 1927

Students can use microfilms to find primary sources when they are researching historic events. Monumental events from the past, such as World War I and II and the Great Depression to name a few, can be researched easily. Students today can learn how such events shaped the world!

Microfilm machine - Scanpro

Not only do microfilms make research fun and interesting, they also allow you to transfer the information easily with the touch of a button. You can print, save or email the article so it is in your safe keeping forever. Check the local history/genealogy page and the newspapers and magazines page of our website, for what is available on microfilm at the the Main Branch. Call us at 508-799-1655 - ext 3, send us an email or chat with us if you have any questions! 

Tips for Using Library Resources with Alex: Heritage Quest

Reference Librarian Alex teaches us how to effectively search online genealogy databases using HeritageQuest as an example. HeritageQuest is available to use from home for free with your WPL card at mywpl.org/local-historygenealogy

 

Introducing Tips for Using Library Digital Resources from Home with Alex

Stuck at home and want to know how to access digital resources from the library and beyond?  You're in luck thanks to our new series of short videos, Tips for Using Digital Resources from Home with Alex.  In this new, weekly series, Reference Librarian Alex will be introducing you to how to best utilize digital resources from home.  These will include library resources and databases, as well as other recommended websites and digital tools to boost your research and quality of life.  Check out the first episode all about tips and tricks for searching for genealogical information with the Worcester Public Library's genealogy databases here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NngRi5jyeY.  Look forward to new episodes being posted to our social media every Saturday morning.

Temporary remote access to Ancestry.com Library edition now available to WPL card holders

We are super excited to inform you that the providers of Ancestry.com database (library edition) are temporarily allowing remote access to our patrons!! We are all stuck at home due to the current situation with Coronavirus, but you can still continue your genealogy research from home! Look up your Irish ancestors, your grandfather's military records or just work on your family tree!! Hooray!!

Ancestry.com, the largest and most comprehensive of genealogy databases contains thousand of collections and millions of names. This popular database provides access to census records, voter lists, ship's passenger lists, vital records, military records and much more.

Go to mywpl.org to access this resource from the library. Under Resources, click on Online Databases. Under Subject category, select Genealogy. You will need a WPL library card to log in. Have fun exploring your family's rich genealogy!

Read the daily edition of Telegram & Gazette Online

No time to visit the library to browse the daily edition of the T&G? We've got you covered! WPL cardholders can now access for FREE, the daily Telegram & Gazette in full color which includes all news articles, classifieds, weather reports, puzzles and more! Access is available same day as print edition.

What Do I Need To Access the daily edition of T&G?

• A device with internet access

• A valid WPL card

That's it! Click here to find it on our website.

Text only versions of the T&G are also available from 1989-present via the WPL website. If you need to access any issues of the T&G from before 1989, please come to the Main Branch of WPL for access to our microfilm collection, or submit an information request through Ask a Librarian.

~Gretta

Build a Better World: Coming to America - A Place to Put Down Roots

We have all come to America for similar reasons which can be summed up in one phrase: build a better world for your family.

In an effort to highlight these similarities, we are asking patrons participating in our Summer Reading program to tell us about how their families came to America. Below are a few Coming to America stories. Despite the fact that each patron's background differs from the next, there is one theme that resonates strongly throughout each story: America, a place to put down roots. 

I met my husband two years ago. He is from Jamaica. We got engaged in St Catherine, Jamaica in front of his children and grandchildren. He migrated to USA this past May; with his two younger children. We got married a month ago and it has been a great journey to learn more about his Jamaican culture. He is learning a lot about living in USA. There are a lot of challenges when joining two cultures together. We would not change it for the world. Loving every moment of my new husband and his daughters coming to America.
~ Mona R. 

My family came to America because of their parents and for work and opportunity in America.
~Citizenship student

 They came during the potato famine in Ireland and settled in northern N.J.
~Maureen K.

My family on my mom's side came over on the Mayflower, my family on my dad's side came over in the early 1900's.
~Jessie C.

My family came to the United States to live near my mother's family. I was 8 months old when we came over from France. My brother was 2. He left his Nunu (teddy bear) on the plane. When my parents reported this the plane had already left for Germany. They found Nunu and made sure he arrived safely in Boston so that they could be reunited.
~Katherine R.

I came to the United States in order to join my daughter.
~Citizenship Student

Not sure of your families origins? We have plenty of resources at Worcester Public Library to help you get started, including a subscription to Ancestry!

Build a Better World: Coming to America - The Land of Opportunity

We have all come to America for similar reasons which can be summed up in one phrase: build a better world for your family.

In an effort to highlight these similarities, we are asking patrons participating in our Summer Reading program to tell us about how their families came to America. Below are a few Coming to America stories. Despite the fact that each patron's background differs from the next, there is one theme that resonates strongly throughout each story: America, the land of opportunity! 

My mom came to America 50 years ago from Norway ... to work at the Worcester Public Library! She lived next door at the YWCA and worked at the downtown branch! She was initially just here for 1 year but ... has now been in Worcester for 50 years. She worked at multiple library branches and then ultimately left the library system not long after my brother was born (then came me!) She later returned to work for CW Mars!
~ Margaret K. 

I came to America to further my education.
~Khym D.

My great grandfather immigrated to the United States from Sicily, Italy in 1912 at only 11 years old with his younger brother who was 8 years old. I don’t know why his family left Sicily. His father, my great-great grandfather had arrived in the United States before them. My great-great grandfather worked as a laborer at a dye company, and my great grandfather followed his footsteps to become the superintendent at that same company. In 1919, he married my great-grandmother who was a U.S. born citizen, and he was naturalized in 1928.
~Lex P.

I came to America 15 years ago, for a job opportunity. It was a one year contract, renewable for up to three years. I came, as you can guess, on a regular commercial flight! Early on in my stay, I met my husband, who grew up in the United States (his great grand-parents emigrated here). We met in North Carolina, got engaged and married there, moved to Colorado, then Maryland, and finally moved here to Worcester, 9 years ago. I did not think that I would emigrate to America, but here I am to stay. My parents and siblings are overseas and thankfully I can visit them often. I have been welcome in America, and I am lucky that I feel at home here too.
~Natalie H.

Want to share your family's Coming to America story? Go to our Summer Reading site and complete the challenge today. 

Not sure of your families origins? We have plenty of resources at Worcester Public Library to help you get started, including a subscription to Ancestry!

Build a Better World: Coming to America

Chances are your family, like many other families, immigrated to America from another country. Americans hail from a wide variety of countries, cultures, and experiences but our reason for coming to America reveal that despite our differences we are very much alike. Whether your family arrived in America hundreds of years ago or a hundred days ago, the reason to come to America is strikingly similar: build a better world for your family.

In an effort to highlight these similarities, we are asking patrons participating in our Summer Reading program to tell us about how their families came to America. Below are three Coming to America stories. Despite the fact that each patron's background differs from the next, there is one theme that resonates strongly throughout each story: America, a place of refuge. 

My family came over by plane due to the Cultural Revolution, a harrowing time when cultural relics were destroyed, music and literature were banned, re-education took place, and countless people were imprisoned and killed. My parents don't speak much of it, and perhaps it's because it's prohibited in China.
~ Anonymous

My grandparents came to America from Germany in the late 1920's. My grandfather had fought for Germany in the first world war; he could see the writing on the wall, and did not want to fight for Germany again.
~ Sharon B.

My fraternal grandfather came to America during the Armenian Genocide as a child.
~ Danielle T.

Want to share your family's Coming to America story? Go to our Summer Reading site and complete the challenge today. 

Not sure of your families origins? We have plenty of resources at Worcester Public Library to help you get started, including a subscription to Ancestry!

3 Ways to Organize Family History Research Online

If you’ve attempted genealogical research, even just for a few hours, you probably realize that documents, sticky notes, and ancestor charts quickly transform into an incomprehensible mass of paper on top of your desk.  Even if you are saving all your records digitally, organizing the information can still be a challenge.  Luckily there are websites which offer free family tree building services and data storage.  They’re easy to use and immensely helpful.  Today we’ll highlight a few of those sites.

FamilySearch

FamilySearch is the online presence of the Family History Library, the largest genealogical collection in the world.  This website is free, easy to use, and offers a variety of neat services for users.  The first feature is the family tree, which you can view in the traditional style or as a fan chart (a visually striking representation of family lineage illustrated left).  For each family member users may enter name, vital information including birth, death and marriage dates, a “life sketch” or brief biography and various relationship types.  Please note that this service does not allow users to enter same-sex partners.  I find this to be quite limiting as well as an unnecessary and troubling bias.  Some individuals may wish to use an alternative tree-building service such as Geni (highlighted below).

Additionally FamilySearch allows users to submit “Memories” including photos, stories and documents.  Please note that anything uploaded or submitted on FamilySearch is viewable by all its users.

Geni

Geni (short for genealogy) is another fun, free, easy to use website for keeping track of your research.  You can sign up for a free account, or upgrade for more access to other users’ trees and research materials.  Unlike FamilySearch, Geni only allows for one type of family tree, the traditional tree structure.  However, Geni does allow for same-sex relationships on your tree and, in my opinion, is a little more intuitive to use than FamilySearch’s version.  One important note: make sure that your Flash Player is up to date.  Although Geni will redirect you to an HTML5 version of the tree-builder, the Flash version is much easier to use and nicer looking.

Like FamilySearch, Geni also allows you to upload photos.  Again, please be aware that anything you upload to the website is viewable by other users.

Flickr

While Flickr doesn’t allow us to build family trees or record stories, it does give users one Terabyte of space for uploading photos.  These could be photos of our ancestors, family heirlooms, documents, anything really.  Flickr is very user friendly and allows you to choose the license type and privacy settings for each item or group of items that you upload.  That means that you can restrict your photos to friends, family or yourself, or you could make them open to all.  You’re able to organize photos into albums as well as by tag, offering users a simple way to catalog their family archives. 

If you’re interested in finding out more about genealogical research at WPL, check out our website or come to the third floor of the library.

Online Genealogy Resources for Kids and Teens

Genealogy, the study of one’s family line, is a rewarding and sometimes consuming hobby. The dedicated researchers who commit themselves to this study have a fascination with the past and a desire to feel connected with their ancestors. Most genealogists are middle-aged or older. Creating a family tree for posterity is a noble aspiration, but if new generations fail to continue that research then the tree dies. It’s important to get our kids interested in genealogy, not only for the sake of our own research, but to instill a love of learning and an appreciation for history in children and teens.

This summer Joy Hennig, our Local History and Genealogy Librarian, will be leading two sessions of Genealogy for Kids, a program for children aged 12 and up accompanied by an adult. The program will be held at the Francis Perkins Branch Library on July 12 from 2-3pm and at the Main Branch on July 30th from 2:30-3:30pm.

To expand on these programs we have identified some useful genealogical resources for kids:

Boy Scout Merit Badge in Genealogy
This webpage describes the requirements for the merit badge in genealogy and includes a listing of very helpful web resources to help introduce young people to this study. An invaluable resource for young people first learning about genealogy, regardless of whether or not they are associated with the Boy Scouts.

FamilySearch – Time Lines
FamilySearch, a giant in the genealogical field, provides instructions for creating a timeline for one’s family history.

Family Tree Kids
A great site for kids to learn about genealogy. Includes a family tree download, forms and how-tos.

Pinterest- Genealogy for Kids
This Pinterest board features fun genealogy-themed activities for children.

For more information:
WPL Program Calendar
WPL Local History and Genealogy Resources

Digital Tools for Genealogists

One of the gems of the Worcester Public Library is our Local History and Genealogy Collection.  Located on the third floor of the library this section features a wealth of resources to help our patrons pursue research in family history as well as the history of Worcester.  In addition to these physical resources the web tools listed below offer social, interactive assistance for genealogists.

Geni.com
 Geni.com is a genealogy social networking site.  The goal of this site is to create a global family tree of shared ancestors.  It functions as a family tree building service, allowing you to build off the work that other members have already completed.  Family members can use Geni to share information and keep in touch.  Geni also works as an organizational tool for family documents and photographs.  Basic membership is free and includes 1 GB of upload space.
Find out more about Geni by watching this introductory video.

FamilySearch Blog
FamilySearch is the database associated with the Family History Library, the world's largest collection of genealogical records.  What once functioned primarily as a database connecting users to records now offers many more services.  FamilySearch, like Geni, includes a family tree tool and the ability to upload and share family photos.  One feature of this site which you may initially overlook is the FamilySearch Blog.  This blog keeps readers up to date with information on FamilySearch as well as news about the wider world of genealogy research.

Pinterest.com
Pinterest is an image-based social networking site which allows users to create virtual pinboards or scrapbooks.  Images posted to this site are called pins and may be shared, repinned and liked by other users.  Because of its visual orientation Pinterest is ideal for sharing historical family photos.  It can also be used to organize bookmarks to genealogical websites and resources, instructional videos and event-planning ideas for things like family reunions.  WPL has utilized this tool to share photos related to library history on our Worcester Room Board.  Check out how other genealogists are using this tool:

• AnceStories: The Stories of my Ancestors
• GeneaBloggers

For more information on using Pinterest for family history:

• Top 12 Tips for Using Pinterest for Family History
•  FamilySearch: Using Pinterest for Genealogy

Cyndislist.com
Cyndi's List is a curated index of websites relating to genealogy.  Of particular note is the category "Social Networking and Genealogy."  This page features of list of articles on how new social media can be used in the context of genealogical research.  It also features examples of how they are being used.  This list is updated daily so it's a good site to keep in your bookmarks if you want to stay up to date on what's new in genealogy on the web.

Ancestry Insider
For users of Ancestry.com and FamilySearch (which should be all modern genealogists) this blog is a must read.  The blogger attempts to independently and without bias critique and report on the two giants of online genealogy research.  Posts are timely and informative and will help to keep researchers abreast of the ever-constant changes which come with online research.

Here at WPL we are constantly researching and trying out new technologies in order to better serve and educate our patrons.  If you're interested in learning more about genealogy on the web you may consider attending next month's work shop with Joy Hennig, Web 2.0 for Genealogists (May 23rd and 28th).

More genealogy resources:
Online Databases - Genealogy
Local History and Genealogy Resources

Tips for Using US Census Records, 1790-1930

Video Tutorials by National Archives http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl54NX_H1ko