www.Leazott.com

The "Down-Low" on "What's Up"!!
Month 2-We're forging ahead and making big strides!
2015 06 01



This Months Big News...

Even with the first months hurdles gone by, and the initial push subsiding, there's still more to do!
Starting with some HUGE downloads here, so hopefully you can have some HUGE downloads there!
Meaning, a supplier for genealogical data has been found, and the downloads have already begun!!
Hooray!!...Woot! Woot!! If you've already joined, click the cover story link to see the census pages!


THESE ARE DIGITIZED MICRODATA REELS OF HAND WRITTEN CENSUS DOCUMENTS!!
That's right! Pictures of actual hand-written census and other files dating back to 1790 (1st One!)
Roughly 100 years worth, which is a heck of a lot of info and a very nice start for us all!
Also, there's a few hundred files of the later years, but I'm pretty sure these files will keep you busy.
If you've loaded the ciewer software already, then take a look at the demo link above!
It's an actual 1790 US Census Handwritten Page! Wowsers!!

These are some VERY large files, and will take a lot of time to complete the downloading.
Over 15,000 files are now available to put on-site! And that's just the census documents!
Much MUCH more can be listed when there's time. Stay patient, and start downloading soon.
Each of these files can be from a few hundred to a few thousand pages each!
So far, the average census for each state looks to be about 300-700 pages for the first year (1790).
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see there's soon going to be a space issue! (No pun intended)

The math figures out to approximately 4,500-10,500 gigabytes of space needed for these...
Yes, you read that right. Storing them anywhere is an issue. Not yet sure how to do that yet.

These are basically scanned pictures and photographs of every census page for about 100 years.
If anyone has a plan on how to shink, store or make these accessable to all-please speak up!
For now they'll be stored offline. The only way of sharing them is cd's, but that's a bit expensive.
Storing 4,500GB on the web would cost several hundred dollars per month-Plus the upload time!

Experiments have been done with compressing them, but have no major impact on their size.
Emails aren't very cost effective due to the manhours, plus the server bandwidth increases on costs.
But now it's still the best we have. So they're offered as emails and CD's until another way is found.
Anyone having a better idea, please email me!



The Deeper Story...
There are always pro's and cons to something like this, but it's  still well worth the effort!
It's all in how you look at it.

The cons...
These are not ready-made/indexed search type files.
For some this is considered a down side. For others it's a breakthrough and a boone to their quest!

Indexing is what genealogists get paid to do daily so you and I can find data easily on the internet.
It's the practice of transcribing written names into type-written names for easy lookup and retrieval.
They sit down with these exact same film data and translate the info onto their computers.
With these, we each will have to do that for ourselves.

Another down-side is that this would take much down & upload time.
Dressing up the site will be slower now, but at the end of the day, function still outrules fashion here.
Web space would also clog up, so in time, a plan will have to be made for that.

On the plus side...
On plus side, we can now avoid something many family tree builders never even realize can go wrong.
Genealogist are people too. They get tired, they get rushed, they get distracted, and other things too.
When one of them looks at these files, they're not feeling connected like we are.
It more than likely comes down to just piecework pay for them. Sometimes in haste, mistakes happen.

In researching our own family tree, I've seen several spelling errors that were related to these forms.
One might think that bad penmanship is the problem, but it's usually not that at all.
To the contrary, it's the overly fancy script of old days that can sometimes become nearly illegible.

Just look at how easily these two names can get mixed up just because of fancy penmanship.
When formed well, the caligraphy of the day is absolutely beautiful and very much a joy to read!
But add in some overly crowded letters, an ink smudge or skip, and the result changes dramatically.
In genealogical terms, it's disasterous, but it's very common when dealing with internet publicists.
So there's a look at some insight as to whether you may be related to another family name!


With these documents in our possession, there's more time to read and measure it against knowledge.
This simple mistake that happens over and over, is why names get "changed" on the internet.
We can now help to stop that from happening to our own history!
Go slow, and enjoy!


For now, it seems we have information possible,
We just need to figure out how to get it into your hands!

It's still a big stride!
No matter what the hurdle is!




This Months L-Page...

Though that's HUGE news for us all, not to be overshadowed by any means...
Please don't miss this months L-Page!
Chosen specifically for review are Lewis Alexander Lazotte & Jane Ann Monty!
Now, if you're thinking "I wonder who they could be?" Join and then Read it here.

It starts a "theme" for the L-Pages, as connecting to previously written about L-Page figures.
This way, as they each get added to the family tree software, the flow-chart will stay connected.
If you haven't gotten it already, be sure to Download The Free Software In The Geneology Section.
Follow along every month for new stories!



This Months L-Game...

Several game formats are being used-Wordsearch, crosswords, and quiz software.
Each month effort will be made to bring a new variation of one of the games to the website.

To start it off, it seemed appropriate to show some surname variations that have existed over the years.
These are far from all of them, but should be enough to show how easily any name can change.

Follow each month, play online if you've joined or print the PDF's for crayons & highlighters if not.
Youngsters too small for computers can still learn their family tree!




Here's what's been done over the past month...



Census Records Downloading Has Begun!!

Starting with the oldest first (1790), and for many reasons.
Newer records and family tree members are probably what most of us already have.
Getting the older ones always seems more difficult for anyone.

There's several ways to go about this, and they're still being tested here.
All are probably familiar to you. The standard scrolling PDF, individual pages, and zip files.
Zip files are easier to upload and download, but the PDF's may be better at enlarging.
Single pages help load easier for weaker machines, and are broke down well by zip packaging.
So it really came down to how well the PDF's looked and enlarged.

Zipped and single page browsing won out because of it's ease of loading.
Since a single page can be looked at at one time, the entire census isn't doesn't have to be loaded into memory.

Uploadings have been halted for now due to their inherent time consuming nature and size.
The time factor can be worked with, but their size would be far too much for this website to handle.
Downloading of the census files will continue while other methods of conveyance are looked into.





New Software Has Been Added To The Download Section!!

This one came out of necessity from the census downloads.
It's a viewer for jp2 (jpx or jp 2000) picture image files. It's not used out there very often.
From what I understand, the format is supposed to help files last longer...
This may be why it's used on these types of data photo files.

Anyway, it's been added to the other downloads and census sections for easy access.
Other types when found will be added if reliable, as this is a viewer only.
Something with editing functions would be of tremendous aid to us all.
If you know of a good one for jp2 photo's, with proper licensing, send an email, Thanks.

Each month, new software will be in the spotlight as a free download.
Topics vary according to website and personal needs.
If anyone is interested in a specific category, just make it known!


The First L-Page Has Been Published!!
And it's a doozy!

Deliberately chosen as the first L-Characters for a reason, but the story became more than expected!
Narrated for much longer than ever intended due to new information that surfaced in mid-story!
The more it evolved, the more exciting it became while investigating other relative events! (Pun!)
Join Us for more Leazott heretage info. New persons reviewed every month!
If you've already joined, read about Melvin James & Melvina Jeanne Leazott-Twins in the archives!



A Newsletter Signup Link Has Been Added!!

The link is in the upper right corner of most pages now, and will be there indefinitely.
Use it for easy signup, and to opt out if you should ever decide that also.

The newsletters are only being sent to those that have joined.
Emails take up server resources, and after a while, consume a significant amount of cash flow.

While I'm thrilled that others might like to read about our stories and progress, it costs money.
Those interested enough to join should be the ones to benefit from their support (Thank You!).



A Survey Page Has Been Added!!

The new survey page is placed in the "News & Info" tabs, and open to visitors for responses.
Basic one-click yes/no answer format with a block for things to add if desired.
Visitors can help decide what's important enough to put on the website-Even what questions to add!
Take a look, it's very fast and big help for us all.



A Games Page Has Been Added!!

Now there's a fun way for you to learn bits and pieces of information that would otherwise slip by.
Printable and viewable for non-subscribers, and an interactive format for those who choose to join.
There's word search, with crosswords and quiz's still to come!!

Hopefully, each month a new one can be added so the learning theme can have a new branch.
Be sure to leave some feedback about it for creating ones with more difficulty or easier needs.




A Comments To The Guestbook Link Has Been Added!!

Your help and suggestions are very appreciated, and this should help make it easy for you!
It'll be added to the upper right of most pages for easy access whenever you're reading articles.
Use it often!



The Search Engine Feature Has Been Added!!

The feature will become more and more useful as L-Pages and family history items are added.
The software manual says that it has the ability to remember searches and get faster (AI).
So when adding family history stories, remember to use words that others might search for.
A nice add-on to make things easier in the future. Found at the top of each page.



A Bing Translator Has Been Added To Every Page!!

This wasn't thought of earlier in the planning stages, but it was offered as a widget from Bing.
Many times while doing family tree work, a page needs to be translated into English from French.
So it may be likely that some of our french speaking relatives may sometimes find these pages!
When they do, we're ready...(It translates into many other languages, including Klingon!!)
So Here's A Hearty Welcome In Advance To All Our French Speaking Friends & Relatives!!



The "Share-This" Icons Have Been Added To Every Page!!

This one was planned for some time now, but there was too much else to do.
Hopefully, when some of you are seeing these pages, you'll share them for other family members.
You can share any page to any social network, or email the page straight from the left-side links.
Give them a try and help spread the word!!



New Icon Software Links Are Being Used!!

As promised, the dried-up, humdrum, factual 1960's book report look is starting to disapate!
It was always slated to happen, but first things first. Several more add-ons planned also...

Function over fashion will always rule here, but wherever possible, a bit-o-pizzazz is nice.
Especially since icons actually do perform a function.
It's faster for those not interested in reading, or need no instruction to do something.

They also help lend a sort of order and a look of presence to the newsletter.
Because of them, a format of sorts seems to be developing.
A method of covering certain sections can now start to be developed for easy recognition.

Everything in it's own time...
You can't put paint on a wall that doesn't have framework to hold it yet.
It's the same thing with websites. There needs to be some structure first.
Slowly but surely... Some of the "pizzazz" is now here as promised!





And here's what's been planned for the future...



This list will stay on the newsletter, and be added to or subtracted from as needed.
Mostly as a "To Do" list, and something to be accountable to for making progress!
They're listed in no particular order of importance or lineup.
As the ideas or needs came into focus, they were written in...
Of course, with effort later to add new ones near related ones for train of thought.

Some items may be quick to get accomplished, while others may take longer...
Many may not even work out at all.
But we'll cross those bridges when we come to them.



Home Page Needs Some Work...
Page has been started...But needs some pizzazz!
Anyone have any ideas on what they'd like to see?
Functionality information are the immediate focus, but any insight is welcome!


Email Address Purchase Page Needs Updating...
It needs to tell more about the product details, and payment links.
It works fine as it is, go ahead and use the checkout.
But we all like for things to be simple and easy, don't we?
As time goes by, it'll get there.


Some Page Menu Changes Are Planned...
Probably a re-ordering of pagelinks in the menu column will be the result.
This should make it very easy to look, email & share pages with each other.
One step at a time... Some have already started...


The "Events" section could use a good calendar...
Searching for some online for an entire day yealded nothing but "snooper programs"...
Many were loaded & installed only to find they were the 30 day, monthly fee or other junk types.
If anyone knows of a good event calendar that can be used for websites, please speak up!
Thanks.

Update:
A very extensive and exhaustive searh was made in April 2015 to find one...
Results were posted in Mays Newsletter "What's been done section"...

Page has been started...But needs some work and pizzazz!


Possibly a higher quality blog may be created so users can better interact...
Somewhere down the line possibly... Does anyone know of a good software program?
One with file attachment and other capabilities that users might want.
File uploading for picture sharing, email responses to their posts, etc.... Something fun!
This one would be for members only due to picture postings and other interactive ability.


As ideas and knowledge grow, so will the site-Let's have some input!

All I can do is implement the ideas....
You are the ones that can help guide the site where you want to go!

So many needs...
And so little webspace...


Please join in and help us all to find our heritage.
It belongs to all of us.
It belongs here.

So that's the down-low on what's-up!
Thanks for reading,


Massachusetts

Our family. Our website.
Leazott.com