Here are my notes from my May 5, 2016 presentation at the Sandy History Museum. Thanks for coming.

Genealogy 101 extended version for Cornerstone 052614 v2 from Bill Leslie

My latest article, "What Do you Do with a Shoebox Full of Letters?" is now on the newstands in "Your Genealogy Today," formerly known as "Family Chronicle." It's the Jan/Feb 2016 issue. In it I explain how to effectively use correspondence. Too often, people don't know how to mine old letters for gold.

The latest issue of Family Chronicle, a national (plus Canada) genealogy magazine is on the stands today. It includes two of my articles, What's an Heirloom, and Where Can I Get One? and Black Sheep, Loose Nuts, and Family Secrets This is the first time that I've had two articles in one issue. Following the three articles that I had published in November, this is encouraging. The magazine can most easily be picked up in the Portland Metro area at Rich's Cigar Store (any of several locations), Barnes & Noble, and Borders.

Powerpoint Presentation for two-part Family History Presentation

Below is the Powerpoint presentation for a two-part presentation. Thanks for your interest in family history. Generations to come will be grateful for your efforts.

View the slides by using the slide bar to the right of the first slide. The first class covered the material beginning at slide 22 and was presented at Good Shepherd to the M&M mini-church in October. The second part (slides 1-21) will be given to M&Ms some time in early in 2015.

Genealogy 101 Extended Version for Cornerstone 051814 v2

Below is a transcribed copy of a newspaper article that focused on my Leslie ancestors. Reno Evening Gazette Saturday, July 29, 1939 Children Reside in Nevada Still and are All Well Known By Mrs. Thurlow Douglas, Written under the sponsorship of the Sagebrush chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, as one of a series of articles on Nevada pioneer families. George Alexander Leslie, whose ancestors were Scotch, and his wife, Ann Howard Leslie of Newton Moor, Cheshire, England, arrived in Dayton in 1862. They came from Utah Territory, where Mr. Leslie had furnished supplies for the army during the time the army was in Utah. He had amassed considerable property there, a store at Camp Floyd, another at Fort Lehigh, two grist mills, stock, and land. Had he left the territory with the army, he would have fared better, for good times for him and his family departed with the army. When he did leave, he was fortunate to salvage several big six-horse wagons loaded with grain and his family. At that time his family consisted of his wife and three children – George, Lillie, and Minnie May, the latter being a babe in arms. Belle Leslie was born later in Dayton. His objective on leaving the Utah Territory was California, but when he reached Dayton on the Carson River there was a placer gold boom on Gold Creek, which ran through Dayton. There the family made their camp on the spot where years afterward, the railroad depot stood. The family lived in Dayton for many years until both parents died and were laid to rest in the peaceful cemetery. Shortly after arriving in Dayton, Mr. Leslie purchased four blocks of land and had a substantial home, still standing, built. An office and stables entirely enclosed one block of his land and he conducted a big hay and grain yard until his death. He also built an immense stone barn which is still a landmark of Dayton. One interesting item concerning the stone barn is that when Grant and Seymour were opponents for election to the United States Presidency, a bet was made between two men as to which candidate would be elected. One of the men posted $2,000 in gold coin against $2,500 of the rancher’s grain. The rancher lost and the grain was stored in the Leslie barn where the children of the neighborhood played happily among the grain sacks until the grain sacks were finally plied to the top of the barn. During the Civil war feeling in Dayton ran high between the Republicans and the Democrats. Leslie was a staunch Democrat, but was a great admirer of President Lincoln and a believer in his policies. He was bitterly grieved when news of the President’s assassination reached Dayton. While conducting his hay and grain yard Leslie invested in Como mining ventures and lost heavily. After his death, among his assets was found a whole chest full of Como mining certificates, all worthless at that time. Of the four children, George Alexander Leslie, Jr. married and developed a fine ranch in Oregon on which he raised a family of three children, a son and two daughters. The three Leslie girls, Lillie, Minnie, and Belle all taught school and also assisted in church and cultural activities in Dayton and elsewhere. They married and established homes of their own In Nevada. Lillie married a mine and mill owner, Albert J. Taylor of Silver City. Three of her four children are still living – William Leslie (“Big Dick”) a mining engineer; Chester C. Taylor (“Little Dick”), traveling engineer under the Taylor Grazing Act, and Mrs. Hazel Cain, wife of a California business man. Minnie married John Edwards Bray, who did much for the educational system of the state and served over eight years as State superintendent of public instruction. Her older daughter, Florence Leslie Bray, died on December 30, 1933. Mrs. Bray and her younger daughter, Mildred, make their home in Carson City. Mildred Bray is at present superintendent of schools for Nevada. According to an early history of Nevada, John Bray was superintendent of the Lyon County schools in 1881. He and Miss Minnie Leslie were teachers of the Dayton school at that time. Quoting from the historical record: It was remarked by the Hon. John Sett, one of the most experienced teachers in the United States and now principal of the Girl’s High School in San Francisco, while present at an Institute held in Virginia City in 1880, “that it was a pleasure for him to meet the teachers of this state, that he found them sprightly and familiar with details of their work, and that they lost nothing by comparison with the teachers with whom he was co-worker in California.” Bell married Ed Hancock, well-known machinist and they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary this week. They have four living children: Mrs. Edna Hardy, a successful teacher in Fernley; J. Leslie Hancock, division engineer of the state highway department in Reno; Leonard Hancock, prominent young business man of Carson City; and Mrs. Florence Cool, a talented singer and happy housewife of Oakland. Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Hancock live in Reno. Devoted to Nevada, the three daughters of this pioneer couple who crossed the plains in covered wagons have always been glad that destiny directed their parents to western Nevada. Photo caption: Dayton’s public school building, erected in 1865, still is one of the old town’s landmarks. This photo was taken in 1882 when John Edwards Bray was State superintendent of public instruction after serving as head of Reno’s schools. In the picture are several boys and girls who are today living in Reno and vicinity.

Speaking on Family History at Cornerstone Community Church

Here's my powerpoint presentation from my talks at Cornerstone on May 18 and May 25, 2014. Thanks for coming.

Genealogy 101 extended version for Cornerstone 052614 v2 from Bill Leslie

Never forget, never.

Is it love?  Respect?  Honor?

Perhaps all of the above.  Whichever, we need more of it.  Never forget

http://videos.komando.com/watch/5259/viral-videos-this-woman-searched-for-her-mia-husband-for-68-years-youll-never-believe-what-she-found