The Belgian Archives Online

In February 2009, FamilySearch began uploading digital images of Belgian civil records onto its Record Search Pilot site, enabling genealogists researching their Belgian ancestry to access original records right from their homes.

It was however short lived as the Belgian Archives quickly requested access to the public be restricted. I won't lie when I say that it was a terrible blow to researchers, especially since the creation of the index for these Belgian records had just begun.

What a treat it was to have been one of the first countries online!!!
Even if it was short lived.

On November 18, FamilySearch made an announcement about having added another 15 million names to its site. Many of them are linked to digital images of original records.
Dick Eastman composed an article on the subject, to which I would like to refer you: A Lot to Be Thankful For

I have had the opportunity of using this wonderful new tool and can't wait till more is uploaded.

While researching on microfilms at our local Family History Center, I have learned to appreciate paging through the reels and finding information in documents that apparently did not fit in my direct lines. Actually that has helped me more than once in stumbling onto great-grandparents I had not found on my direct-line ancestors' records. So when I saw the "Browse the images" option, I jumped on it with both feet.

It didn't take me long to realize that - and that is by no means a criticism, but rather motivation for me to help more - however incredibly wonderful it is, using the browse feature is slow and tedious.

Belgian registers usually have one index at the end of each year.
Some group all the records into one annual book with three indexes at the end of the year, in other words, the records are divided into three parts (sometimes 4):
1. Births,
2. (Marriage Publications - which have no index),
3. Marriages,
4. Deaths.

On a microfilm reader, you just crank up the wheel, find the index, locate the name you are looking for, then if you find something that is relevant to your search, you backtrack (or go forward if the index is at the beginning of the year) to the right page.
It is tedious but I have found this method very efficient.

On the computer, the process is more or less the same, except it is more or less slow depending on your computer's ability to handle the image but also on your internet connection.
And the big question comes up: "Where is the right image?"

You soon learn that you do not need to thumb through each page if you don't want to. You can skip a few forwards and backwards, pretty much in the same way that you would crank up the microfilm reader's wheel forwards and back.

So what has this taught me?
It has taught me the reason why it is so vital to work on the indexing of all these images.
We are incredibly blessed to be able to use this 'browsing' system in the first place but how much easier it would be if all we needed to do is type in a name and narrow down the search.

HOW can this be done?
Through FamilySearch Indexing

Some people have been unhappy with me for getting on my soapbox and encouraging others to get involved with the Indexing program.
This site is for my voice, so I will shout it from the roof tops and as loud as I can.

GET INVOLVED!

There are so many records to index out there!
The goal of FamilySearch is to digitize all the microfilms that are in the granite vault and to create an index that will enable people to better use these images to research their roots.

There are many English records to work on, but there are records from everywhere to work on too. I have worked on census records and vital records of several countries and what i find is that it is easier for me to read those whose languages I am most familiar with.

My first experience with this came when we were working on the 1880 US Census.
I had come across a name that, no matter how I looked at it, I was unable to make sense of.
The handwriting was not even the problem. It was actually beautiful.
So, I turned to another indexer who was working on something else and asked her what she thought it was. Without hesitation she said "Felicity" and sure enough once she had said it I could see it too.

There is a need for multilingual people to help.
Not only because you understand the text you are looking at but because you will be more familiar with the names and more likely to recognize them, especially when the handwriting is difficult to decipher. What is hard for you becomes impossible for another and this can affect the accuracy of the end product.

Now, this sounds like the proverbial carrot, I know, but FamilySearch has made good on their promises and will on this too, I have no doubt. "Qualified Indexers" will be given access to databases that are otherwise closed to the public per request of the Archive owner.
A point system has been set up for this purpose.
Some things still have to be worked out at this point (for the Belgian project anyway) but I truly believe it will happen.

Come and help with the Belgian project. You will find greater satisfaction working on this project
- if you are Belgian
or
- if you read/speak Dutch, French or German fluently

Contact Jean Huysmans and tell him you want to help.

If you want to help with other projects, visit FamilySearch Indexing and click on
"Get started"

There are tutorials to help you learn how to index.
The program is a free download (it is a big program, best downloaded with a high speed connection)

You don't have to go it alone.
There is a feature in the program that enables you to share your work with someone to have them take a look at what you're doing - if you want them to.

Otherwise, the system is simple, with line-by-line instructions right into the form lay-out.

You work as much or as little as you want.
There is no expected quota you must meet.
The batches are small enough that you can index them within 30 minutes but you don't have to do a whole batch in one sitting if you don't have time.
Just close the program and pick up where you left off later
You have a whole week to submit your work.
If you run into a time problem and can not finish, the batch is automatically returned and someone else can pick up where you left off. No questions asked. No bad feelings.

If you are looking to make a difference... consider taking a bite out this elephant...
The task is HUGE and requires many hands.
Many people are already involved but more means faster access but it also means "lighter load" for those who are indexing already.

Fall Activities

Bruce fell in love with Conner Prairie when he chaperoned Michael's 5th grade class a few years ago. He still talks about sleeping in the barn and getting a couple of boys literally out of their beds in the morning. Since then it seems we have made at least one trip to the Living History Museum every year.
So it was no surprise yesterday when he suggested we go.
The weather was gorgeous.
We had to renew out membership and this gave us the opportunity to spend the afternoon with James and Bethany. They were going to have their Headless Horseman Hayride in the evening and we stuck around for the ride and upgraded our membership to allow 2 youths and 2 adult guests to come along.
Since the Museum closes at 5pm and the activity didn't start until 6pm, Bethany and I went to McDonald's to pick up something to eat while James and Bruce lined up on the "members" side.
There were three lines and when they finally let people in we were given Hayride tickets for the 6:30pm ride. It was still light outside. We waited for about 30 minutes before they led us to the "loading dock". Two tractor-pulled double-wagons filled with straw were waiting there with movable steps in front to help the riders climb in. Good thing because Bruce was struggling a bit with his bum knee and was using his cane more than usual.
As we were winding through the wooded areas we noticed two horses carrying tall figures hovering around the big farm, and Bruce even saw one going after the first party some way ahead of us. All along the paths, there were spooks. A never to be forgotten one was the skeleton sitting on the pot in an outhouse... Bruce said he had a smile on his face... I only noticed that 'he' was reading the paper!!!
They also had Ichabod Crane's grave along the road...
That's what Grandpa Brindle nicknamed James when he was a little baby... Why? Who knows??? I had never heard of Ichabod Crane until then. A few years later the Disney Channel began broadcasting and it was then that I discovered the story of Ichabod Crane, the teacher who was chased by the Headless Horseman in "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow".
Disney's character was tall and skinny, huge nose and ears... NO resemblance to our James, that's for sure!!!...
I found an excerpt on YouTube (part 1 of 6)
Anyway, the rider came after us twice during the hayride and chased us up to the covered bridge, waving his sword.
It was about 15 minutes long and we got back to the starting point where we disembarked.
I think it would have been more fun and more spooky had it been darker...
We made our way through the 'midway'. Bruce bought a cup of spiced apple cider and we went home. The wind was too strong for a lift in the air-balloon but maybe next week they will let it go up.
People were eating popcorn, caramel apples, tents with Halloween themes...
We have plans to go back next week-end with Mike and Mitchell and James and Bethany too.
This goes on for another 2 weeks so we might even be able to take Jon and Sarah, depending on whether Sarah has to work or not. We'll try getting a later ride...

I love Fall. The leaves have begun turning colors: a gorgeous display!
I wish it could be Fall all year long!!!

GoodBye, Muriel, Till We Meet Again...

MURIEL BRINDLE
Peru Tribune, The (IN) - Monday, June 28, 2010
"Muriel Brindle, 85, Peru, passed away at 9:35 p.m. Saturday, June 26, 2010 at Miller’s Merry Manor in Peru.
She was born June 1, 1925 in Vancouver, Wash. to Wayne A. and Grace H. (Whelchel) Safford. She married Richard L. “Dick” Brindle March 13, 1952 in Yuma, Ariz., and he preceded her in death Aug. 2, 2002.
Muriel was a homemaker and formerly employed at Senger’s in Peru. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and an avid reader and gardener.
Survivors include three sons, Bruce Brindle and wife Regine, Brian Brindle and wife Leanne, and Barry Brindle and wife Anita, all of Peru; 10 grandchildren, Jill Sharp and husband Jim, Melanie Reynolds and husband Joe, Richard Brindle, Michael Brindle, Jeremy Brindle, Michelle Dunnagan and husband Shawn, James Brindle and wife Bethany, Jon Brindle, Wayne Brindle and Brandon Brindle; two step grandchildren, Aubrey Hittle and husband Tim, and Eric Mathias and wife Amanda; four great-grandchildren, Kianna and Kaylee Sharp, Gage Caudill and Brianne Reynolds; and four step great-grandchildren, Ella, Ozwald, Aaliyah, Alivia and Logan Mathias.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and a brother, Stanley Safford.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, 105 W. Third St., with Bishops Scott Haupert and Alan Hileman officiating.
Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Peru.
Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home."
Here's the PowerPoint Presentation that was shown at the funeral home.
With "Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole, who was one of her favorite singers.

Le piano est de retour!

Since 2007 I have thoroughly enjoyed being able to watch the Queen Elisabeth International Competition. This year is my favorite instrument: the piano.
when I last checked the website I was concerned that I would have to get a subscription to Belgacom to watch it this year but I was glad to see they opened it through a link on the Queen Elisabeth Competition site.
http://video.cmireb.be/live
I am still going to download the podcasts with iTune like I did last year but there is nothing like having a front seat to these wonderful cultural events.
The 3 Belgians who made the candidate cuts did not survive to the semi-finals: Stephanie Proot, Nicolas Franco and John Gevaerts. Their performances are also available in a podcast.
If you go here you will be able to see who played when.

And if you want to listen to the radio with commentaries from announcers, listen to Musiq3 who also sponsors this event. I love listening to what the expertise of Axelle Thriy and Michel Debrocq. Since I'm a complicated person I have at times turned the sound off the video broadcast to listen to the Musiq3 broadcast instead so I can benefit from the extra information.
If you want to try it, click on the "ecouter en direct" option at the top of the page, on the right.
You will need to download a program that will open in Windows Media Player and you will be able to enjoy the competition with me too.

Thank You Belgacom and Queen Elisabeth International Competition for thinking of us who live so far away!

Bicker Bicker Bicker

I can't believe I got myself pulled into the crazy Wives reality show!
But what else can I watch while knitting doll clothes!?
It's absolutely crazy to watch these women nit-pick at each other, say they're best friends and yet do nothing but hurt each others' feelings, giving their very subjective and edited version of events.
I don't even remember my High School years being this bad! and I went to an all-girls school!!!
I do know that girls can be horrible to each other though and not just to each other.
They can crush a young man's ego just as easily as they can a girl.
I guess there is not enough drama in my life...
In the latest show some of these women attended a private evening at Saks Fifth Avenue and I got curious and checked out their website. I found a gorgeous outfit I would love to have - if found in my size! - then I checked out the price tags!!! Who shops in these high priced stores!?
These are chic clothes but wow... what salty prices...
How do these stores stay in business?
Obviously there is still a lot of very rich people in this country.
or maybe it's just me. I can not imagine spending $1,000 for a sweater! In fact, I looked closer to see if I could see what stitch was used... might be able to make one for myself...
Do you think I could find the right yarn somewhere online?
Do you think I could sell High Fashion hand-knitted doll clothes online?
I'm building an inventory first... besides knitting cocoons and slings for Bethany's Photography budding business.

Cocoon

Fun thing to do while watching tv... eases the guilt of not doing three things at the same time...
I hope Bethany can use this in her photography.
If not, maybe it'll make a nice gift for someone's baby.
It really didn't take long at all.
And the variegated yarn really made a nice pattern.
You be the judge.

Vues de liège - Visite Virtuelle

The memories flood in whenever I see the Place St Lambert...
Maman worked at the Grand Bazar and we took the bus home there and in a way it often was a 'point de repere'.
In any case, whenever I think of Liege, it never fails: my thoughts take me back to the Place St Lambert where my feet walked so many times.
Genevieve M. told me she knew the person who created this photo display.
He sure did a splendid job! Enjoy!
Vues de liège - Visite Virtuelle

"If you start out on the right foot, you'll never have to retrace your steps."

Interesting words for today's horoscope...
"If you start out on the right foot, you'll never have to retrace your steps"

These words are definitely thought provoking.
They make my mind wander.
Things in life are not always that simple though.
How many times do we have to make long detours and end up back at our starting point?
The fun is the journey they say.
That journey is not always pleasant though but eventually we'll know why we experienced the things we did.

Some things happen because they are due to our choices, some to circumstances, some to other people's choices. We can't escape that but we can make the best of it and believe that God knows what we need better than we do and will not fail us in the grand scheme of things.

Step by step, like when we sew a garment or build a house, or just grow up.
If we fudge here and there, or cut corners, we soon find out that we have to go back and redo...
so why not do it right in the first place?

Like I use to tell the kids when they were little:
"Choose your destination and make your choices accordingly"

We all have different circumstances and are not all born with a silver spoon in our mouths or with a spoon at all... and life does throw us curves, sometimes in rapid succession.
We 'make do' until we have more time, more money.
Sometimes, that time never comes.
If it does, the work that would have been simple if done right at first, turns into a major remodel job. And then sometimes it's too late and the structure has to be completely replaced, but at least it gives us a chance to start on the right foot again.

My band-aid solutions make do for a long time but they have never been the permanent fix.

Food for thought.

Liege in Mourning

As you already know, I left part of my heart in Liege and so when I saw in the news that there had been a huge explosion downtown, I had to know more.
The last time we were in Liege was in 1988. The landscape had already become unfamiliar and that was only 9 years since I had left, so I was very grateful for the helicopter video that showed the whole area from up high.
I saw the Perron, still standing, to me a sign of the resiliency of the Liegeois spirit that had just been dealt a blow. The Hotel de Ville was not as lucky in that most of its windows were broken by the blast, and it stands a good 100m from where the explosion occurred.
Same thing with the Palace of the Bishop Princes that stands even further away.
Throngs of people were being held back by policemen so as to keep them from crossing into the destroyed area. Business owners waiting right outside the line for word on their stores. They said it felt like the buildings moved and maybe they did...
But these are buildings... windows can be replaced, buildings, even the very old ones can be fixed and if not can be replaced with newer ones.
There were people trapped in the rubble. There might still be some but they are not hearing any more noise. They found 2 bodies and have not uncovered anyone else since they pulled the 12 y old girl from the rubble.
Although this explosion is not as catastrophic on the whole as the Haitian earthquake of 2 weeks ago, it still should serve as a reminder to us that catastrophes can strike anywhere and at any time.
They say this explosion was due to a gas leak. The days to come should tell us more.
Why does this affect me so much?
Liege is the one place in the world where I felt at peace. From the time I was 12, Liege was the focus of my life: I went to school there, I took the bus there, I window-shopped there, some days I hurried on foot from one bus stop to school because my bus pass did not include all buses. I crave the smell of Autumn in Liege, when the October Fair brought the sweet perfumes of baking waffles and crackling chestnuts. I miss the sounds of the Music Academy on my way to my bus stop home. I miss the buzzing of thousand of people come to La Batte to find a special treasure... I miss the lights of fireworks over the Meuse river. I miss the peniches, long flat boats, slowly traveling on the river and canals. I miss the bridges... I miss the museums, the gardens, the Grand Bazar... I miss the past... The Liege I miss is no more but Liege does live, ever changing, and will continue for centuries to come...
There is no city in the world I like more... no city I miss more...
Liege is my heart and will be forever.
Hoping the displaced survivors everywhere will find peace and return to their lives without too much difficulty.