August 2005 Issue

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Just Chat

Funny things these computers - well maybe not so funny but quite troublesome at times. I am frequently asked about some problem or other that someone has encountered. I get my share myself although all of my problems are connected to the internet in some way or other, I wish that there was a way I could stop others from invading the privacy of my computer this includes unsolicited emails. [There is, of course, a way and we can talk about it at the meeting - Bryan]. I ordered a program for £50 and requested that it be provided on a CD. The CD did not work and neither did a replacement. I had the CD checked by more knowledgeable people than me and none could get either to work. I requested a refund but all further communication from the well known company ceased.

I get a message come up on my computer every time I boot up saying a file (Bridge.DLL) has been deleted. I know that this is a scam but information again on the internet of how to get rid of it does not work.

I purchased a copy of very popular Anti Virus program last year which was due for an update some weeks ago. I ordered this over the internet and the order was acknowledged and my credit card used for the payment. I was given a subscription key to enter and was given an internet address to download instructions of how to enter it. Printing out the instructions and following them meticulously I found them entirely different to what was supposed to be on the screen. I still cannot get the program updated and am constantly reminded that updating is overdue. An email has been ignored to date. I have spent hours trying to get the program updated on my machine and heavens knows how much it has cost me. Now to make matters worse PC World are offering a full up-to-date version cheaper than the upgrade.

Another member's computer has stopped working completely and a message comes up saying a Windows XP for Windows file is missing . The member uses Windows 98 and XP has never been installed on his computer. So far the member has been unable to get any assistance over this matter.

Did I say funny?

Ken Miles

FAMILY TREE

(Submitted by Roy Kempton)

First take pencil and paper and list all the details about yourself. I.E. Birth name, Birth date and place, Christening or Baptism date and Place, Religion, Education, Occupation and any other important information. Then list the same details for your Spouse, plus the date and place of Marriage. N.B. Wife's surname should be her Maiden name. Then do the same for your Parents, then for your Spouses Parents. Now add in your children.

Now is the time to think about a Family Tree Computer program. My favourite is "Generations 8" although I do have several different programmes. I like this one because of the layout of the "Family Page". It shows you and your Spouses Parents at the top, then you and your Spouse with all the details, then your children at the bottom. Initially it is just a blank page with spaces for all the above details. So, using the written list that you have, all you do is fill in the spaces and your Family Tree is started.

Now go to your and your Spouses oldest Relatives and get all the information that they can remember about the family.

There are some useful magazines available which will give an insight into how to go about getting information on your Ancestors. The ones that I and my associates take are "The Family Tree Magazine" and "Practical Family History". They are like most monthly magazines, insofar as some issues are very good and some not so good. The latter one, "P.F.H.", is the best for beginners but they both have plenty of adverts for ways to get information. These include Books, CD's, internet and adverts for other Family Tree programmes that you may prefer to check on. Both magazines have a special section for Computer users, including reviews of Family Tree programmes.

One way that you can do your own research is to go to the Library and ask the Librarian to show you the way to use the reference section. This has Kelly's and other directories going back about 100 years. It also has Census records on Microfiche and Birth, Marriage and Death records, with copies of some Church records. If the Southampton records are not a broad enough scope for you, then you could go to the Hampshire records office in Winchester.

It is also possible to go to the Registrars office and ask the Bereavement office for a list of a Surname buried in Southampton cemeteries. This will give an age at death and the address buried from. If you do check the graves, the tombstones can sometimes give further information on family members.