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Updated 10 January 2010
Shirley Gage Hodges
Biography & Links to Global Gazette Articles
Shirley Gage Hodges has been actively doing genealogical research since 1967. She has taught genealogy classes in Community Education Programs at various high schools and has also been a guest lecturer for several Michigan State University, The Union Institute and Davenport College programs.
Shirley has presented lecturers, seminars and workshops locally and regionally both in the United States and Canada since 1994. Her lectures are accompanied by visual aids, handouts and examples.
Although Shirley specializes in tracing your female ancestors she covers a wide variety of topics for both the novice and advanced genealogist. Her interest in sharing her love of genealogical research and her sense of humor have delighted audiences.
In 2006 Shirley was elected to the office of President of the Genealogical Speakers Guild.
Her memberships include The Association of Professional Genealogists, the National Genealogical Society and numerous state and local societies. Shirley was recently honored with the Eaton County (Michigan) Heritage Award and the Library of Michigan Genealogy Appreciation Award
Shirley became a columnist for The Global Gazette in June 2006.
Awards:
- Library of Michigan Genealogy Appreciation Award (2008)
- Eaton County (Michigan) Heritage Award (2006)
Specialties:
- Tracing Females
- Census Records
Lecture Titles:
- Immigration: The Journey to America
- Church Records: The Ties That Bind
- Ethnic Migration to Michigan
- Family Historian or Pack Rat?
- Family Skeleton or Esteemed Ancestor?
- Little Known Facts About the Census
- Newspapers: A Pot of Gold
- Maps, Gazetteers and Directories
- The Joys of Genealogy ( Luncheon or Dinner Talk )
- Whither Thou Goest: Tracing Your Female Ancestors
- Tracing Your Ancestor Through Military Records
- UsingLand Records in Genealogical Research
- Church Records: The Ties That Bind
- Ethnic Migration to Michigan
- Family Historian or Pack Rat
- Family Skeleton or Esteemed Ancestor
- Genealogy and Genetics
- Immigration
- The Journey to America
- Little Known Facts about the Census
- Making the Most of a Genealogical Research Trip
Maps, Gazetteers and Directories - Me and My Computer - What a Team
- Michigan-Ontario Migration
- Newspapers: A Valuable Research Tool
- Research Facilities in the Great Lakes Area
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- Research Facilities in the Mid-Michigan Area
- Researching Your Ohio Ancestors
- Researching Your Virginia Ancestors
- The Joys of Genealogy
- The Importance of Preserving Your Family Heirlooms
- The Importance of Women in the Civil War
- The Internet: Blessings and Curses
- The Orphan Trains
- The Role of Women in History
- There's Gold in Them Thar Hills: Did your Ancestor Go West?
- Tiptoeing Through the Tombstones - A lecture and slide show
- Using Vital Records to Their Full Advantage
- What's in a Name?
- Whither Thou Goest: Tracing Your Female Ancestors
Contact Information:
Shirley G. Hodges
14850 23 Mile Road
Albion, MI 49224-9508
Phome: (517) 629-2345
Contact between 9 am and 9 pm Eastern Time
email: hodgessj@hotmail.com
web:
- Genealogical Speakers Guild
- Hodges Family Association
Speaking Fees & Details:
- Pre-agreed honorarium
- Lodging and transportation
- All topics require audio visual equipment
- Will provide a master for handouts/syllabus
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Books by Shirley Gage Hodges
BOOK - Guide to United States Census, 1790-1930 By Shirley Gage Hodges.
Guide to the United States Census, 1790-1930 explains what the United States census records are, what information they contain and how to use each census. Each individual year of the Federal Census between 1790 and 1930 (census were compiled every 10 years) is explained in detail. This guide is designed to help the census novice and intermediate researcher come to grips with this valuable genealogical research tool. Experts may also find this guide useful.
More information
Global Gazette Articles by Shirley Gage Hodges
- Looking for a California 49er
By: Shirley Gage Hodges
One of the things that I have enjoyed most about being a columnist for the Global Gazette are the contacts that I have had from individuals. I have heard from people from all over the Globe from places as far away as Berlin and London. This article has evolved as a result of one of those contacts.
- It is so important to talk to the relatives now!
By: Shirley Gage Hodges
My grandfather Jasper Gage has given me some genealogical challenges over the years. A document that includes information that you didn't anticipate or doesn't match other documentary research that you have done can destroyed your calm for months. Oftentimes a living witness can shed light on a mystery that is innocent enough, but not explained in a written record. With the Holiday Season coming up fast, it is a good time to remind readers how important it is to talk to your surviving relatives now.
- I Thought that Henry Ford was My Grandpa
By: Shirley Gage Hodges
As you may have gathered from my last article I have sometimes had problems identifying my grandfathers. Nicknames can really pose a serious problem particularly when you have never heard a person called any other name than a nickname.
- The Man I Thought Was Grandpa
By Shirley Gage Hodges.
Many of us have wonderful old pictures of people that we have inherited. Often these photos come to us with absolutely no identification. As you are doing your research I would encourage you to check each and every fact. Make sure that the information that you are passing along to your descendants is correct and verifiable. Here's a story that illustrates my point.
- Update: Michigan Library Crisis
By Shirley Gage Hodges.
This article is an update to previous articles that outline the Governor of Michigan's plan to close Michigan's state library, and the grass-roots effort to reverse the decision before it is too late. Your support is needed to help save the historical collection of the Library of Michigan. If Michigan is able to shut down its state library without public reaction, other state and provincial libraries will be next.
- There's More Than One Way to Destroy Books
By Shirley Gage Hodges.
As a species we should learn from our history. Considering the events of the last couple of months regarding the Governor's effort to shut-down the Library of Michigan, I sometimes wonder if we do. I would like to take you back to March 8, 1989, the day when the Michigan Library and Historical building was dedicated, and share with you just a few of the quotes and feelings of that day. There is a startling contrast between dignitaries' comments on that day, and recent actions of the current Michigan Governor.
- Help Stop Michigan Governor from Abolishing the Dept. of History, Arts, & Libraries
By Shirley Gage Hodges. Senator Cameron Brown has introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 18, which if passed by a 2/3 majority in the State Senate and 2/3 majority in the State House would reject Governor Granholm's Executive Order 2009-36 abolishing the Department of History, Arts, and Libraries. The Michigan Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee is meeting this Wednesday morning, 26 August, at 8:30 a.m. in Lansing, Michigan. It is essential that your voices are heard before they go into that meeting. Email addresses of Senators are included in this article.
- Library of Michigan Crisis Update (20 August 2009)
By: Shirley Gage Hodges. This article is an update to previous articles that outline the Governor of Michigan's plan to close Michigan's state library, and the grass-roots effort to reverse the decision before it is too late. Your support is needed to help save the historical collection of the Library of Michigan. If Michigan is able to shut down its state library without public reaction, other state and provincial libraries will be next.
- Library of Michigan Crisis Update (14 August 2009)
By: Shirley Gage Hodges. This article is an update to previous articles that outline the Governor of Michigan's plan to close Michigan's state library, and the grass-roots effort to reverse the decision before it is too late. Your support is needed to help save the historical collection of the Library of Michigan. If Michigan is able to shut down its state library without public reaction, other state and provincial libraries will be next.
- Citizen's Rally to Block Governor's Closing of Michigan's State Library
By: Shirley Gage Hodges. It was a wonderful example of how people will join together to help a cause that is important. It was refreshing to see genealogists, historians, military groups and concerned citizens gathering to protest a proposal by Gov. Jennifer Granholm to break up the genealogical collections at the Michigan Historical Center.
- UPDATE: Crisis Facing the Library of Michigan
By: Shirley Gage Hodges. If you live in Michigan or are within driving range please consider joining us at the Hands Around the Library Rally to be held on 5 August 2009 at 9:45 a.m to protest the proposed closing of the Library of Michigan. The details.
- Crisis Facing the Library of Michigan
A crisis is facing the Library of Michigan and the genealogical community. When Michigan's Governor Granholm released her executive order on July 13th the family history research community was in shock! It has taken years and many donation dollars to build the Library of Michigan collection into one of the ten largest collections in the United States. She wants it shut down!.
- Get More Value From Your Genealogy Software
I hope that you have found a genealogy software program that you enjoy using. I do not intend to advise you about which one to use because it's all a matter of taste, and tastes do differ. At any rate, most of us are convinced that the one we are using is the best program available. Here are a couple of easy ways to get more out of the program that you are using.
- Coming to our Census
Remember to turn to the Census when you have a problem finding your ancestors. Some times you have a problem that seems to defy all of your attempts at solving it. Census records have helped me to climbing over or batter through some of my brick walls.
- Using Maps For Family History Research To really understand our ancestors we need to learn about the geographical locations that they lived in. The place that they lived in isn't just a speck on a map. We have to understand how the geographic area they lived in may have influenced where they went to church and where they went to record their births and marriages. A natural feature such as a river or mountain may have greatly influenced their decisions.
- There's A Wealth of Information in Cemeteries - Part 1
If you are like me you probably have been spending some of your free time this summer wandering through cemeteries looking for your ancestors. There is a wealth of information to be gleaned from cemetery research.
- There's A Wealth of Information in Cemeteries - Part 2
If you are like me you probably spent some of your free time this summer wandering through cemeteries looking for your ancestors. There is a wealth of information to be gleaned from cemetery research.
- There's A Wealth of Information in Cemeteries - Part 3
When we are doing cemetery research we need to apply the same standards that we do for other research. Ever once in a while I get a refresher course in how I should do things. One of the things that I stress to people in my classes is the importance of always looking at a tombstone from every direction.
- Researching USA Census Records 1790-1930
By: Shirley Gage Hodges. Census records are among the most common and important records used by the genealogical researcher. Learning to use them to full advantage is the key to being a successful researcher.
- Have you meet Gordie the Global Genealogy Mascot?
By: Shirley Gage Hodges. If you are like me, one of the first things you do when you get to the Global Genealogy Shop is look for Gordie. No matter what chaos has gone on during the day, Gordie always meets you with the same friendly, enthusiasm.
- Research Facilities in the Great Lakes States. With summer approaching I would like to encourage our Canadian friends to come to the Great Lakes states to research some of their ancestors from the United States. We are truly blessed in the Great Lakes States with some wonderful research facilities. However, before you make your trip to one of these there are some things that we need to do first.
- The number one hobby in recent times. Things have changed a lot since I first started doing my family research. At that time most people thought that it was all rather boring. In fact, if you talked about your esteemed relative who came over on the Mayflower or some other impressive fact they thought you were bragging and were a little full of yourself. It is so nice to find so many people who have been afflicted with the same desire and who are tracing their family lines back into the past.
- Be a Valuable Friend to Public Libraries & Research Facilities. Each of us can be a valuable friend to our public libraries and research facilities. Many times we think that there is nothing that we can do as individuals to help our libraries. I would like to share some ideas with you. There are many ways that we can be of help in addition to making financial contributions.
- USA Social Security Death Index The Social Security Death Index (SSDI) can be a great tool for those who are researching ancestors from the United States. This on-line database provides information on people who had social security numbers and have died.
- Preparing for a Genealogy Research Trip It is the time of year when we start to plan our research trips for the year. I would like to touch briefly on how one goes about getting the most out of their research trips. I also want to talk a little about those things that you can do to get ready for your trip.
- Preserving Family Heirlooms According to Webster an heirloom is "A piece of property that descends to the heir as an inseparable part of an inheritance or Something of special value handed on from one generation to another." People love to research the past but sometimes they do little to protect the pieces of family life they find for the future.
- Family Associations Are a Great Resource! If you have not checked into family associations while doing your genealogical research on your family you might be overlooking a great source. Many times family associations can provide valuable information about your ancestors.
- Preserving Veterans' Stories for Future Generations Preserving the stories of our veterans is something each of us should think about. If these stories are to be preserved for future generations we may be the ones who need to do something about it. The story of D-Day makes clear that we are all capable of sacrificing for others. Please help preserve the memories of our veterans.
- The Importance of Women in the Civil War. I have always been fascinated by the stories of women who lived through the Civil War. We need to always remember for every man who endured the rigors of the civil war, someplace there was perhaps a mother, sister, wife or sweetheart who worried and grieved for him. Many women played an operational role in the war effort too.
- Finding American Civil War Ancestors. Most of our ancestors were the farmers who help turn America into a nation. Some of them had ancestors that had served in the Revolutionary War. Most of them had never shot at anything unless it was for food or their own protection.
- Was Your Ancestor a Gold Miner?. Many of us have ancestors who just seemed to disappear in the 1850's or 1860's. Have you ever considered the fact that they may have gone west to find their fortune?
- Family Skeleton or Esteemed Ancestor?. Family Skeletons can truly be one of your most interesting finds in your quest for knowledge about your ancestors. Many family trees would be pretty dull without them.
- Using Land Records in Genealogical Research. Many of our ancestors owned land, and finding these records will help us trace them even further back in time. Land Recordscan provide information that is unavailable anywhere else.
- City Directories as a Research Resource. City directories are research tools that are especially helpful for family historians. They are superb genealogical research tools. If you have ever consulted city directories, you know how wonderful they are as resources for tracing a family's history. If you haven't used them, you are about to discover a gold mine.
- The Joys of Genealogy. By Shirley G. Hodges. If I could only accomplish one thing, it would be to help others discover the joys of genealogy. There are many wonderful people who can teach people how to do their genealogy and there are many experts in the different areas of genealogy. Sometimes we get caught up in the how-to and the techniques, and we forget the joy.
- Ontario - Michigan Migration
. There were many reasons why people migrated between Michigan and Ontario in both directions, including factors such as employment and business opportunities, new transportation routes and cheap land. We need to take a look at some of these reasons and decide if our people might have been involved in this migration.
- Family Reunions For Fun and New Information. Next time you get an invitation to a reunion, plan to attend and see if you can help make the event just a little more meaningful. Don't just preserve your family heritage, share it. Read all about it!
- Tracing Our Ancestors in Military Records. Military service records are a tremendously valuable and reliable source for those researching family histories; Military records document a person's military service as well as their life outside of the military.
- Genealogy Societies, A Very Beneficial Resource. Many people feel that with the use of the Internet that they don't have to leave their homes but I would ask them to reconsider. You can't beat a good genealogical society for help, suggestions, research materials and fellowship
- GENDIS, the Genealogical Death Index System ( Michigan ). If you have ancestors who lived in Michigan and who might have died during the period of 1867-1885 you should check this out....
- Using Newspapers in Family History Research. Newspapers are of tremendous value to the historian and genealogist. Unfortunately, this valuable source is all too often overlooked by genealogists in search of their ancestry. Here is what to look for...
- Genealogical Speakers Guild. If your society is looking for a speaker, planning a conference or all-day seminar, I would encourage you to check out Genealogical Speakers Guild.
- Church Records in Family History Research. Church records rank among the very best genealogical records available and were generally kept in a much earlier time period than were civil vital records. There are more records available than you think...
- Women of the American Revolution. Shirley discusses the importance of learning about the roles and history of women on both sides of armed conflicts.
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