We Begin With The Military Index

August is best spent with genealogical miscellany, not heavy duty lessons. So this month, we’ll feature tips on various resources for your family history search.

The Military Index is a part of the Family Search computer program available at Family History Centers, including those found in area Churches of Latter-day Saints.

This index lists service members who died or were declared dead in Korea or Vietnam from 1950 to 1975. Using it, you can find birth and death dates, identify residences and the person’s military service information. Use the Military Index to find missing uncles, cousins or friends.

Bruce Vails shared an article from Shift Colors, The Newsletter for Navy Retirees, that gave tips for locating former shipmates and crew members. For a copy of this article, send me a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) c/o this newspaper.

The Oregon-California Trails Association, Office of the Census of Overland Emigrant Documents (COED), wants to survey all emigrant diaries, reminiscences and letters written by those who traveled west overland in covered wagons. Documented information is being entered into a computerized database to serve anyone interested in the subject. COED, begun in 1985, now has a database of more than 52,000 names.

For more information and to request a research form, send an SASE to COED, 1019, Independence, MO, 64051-0519.

The Holland Library on the Washington State University campus in Pullman, has 41 rolls of Indian census records spanning the years 1885 to 1940. Areas include Fort Lapwai, Fort Hall, Colville, Coeur d’Alene, Warm Springs, Umatilla, Spokane, Nez Perce and Yakima.

Anyone may use the WSI library, and during the school year, it’s even open on Sundays.

Parsons Technology has released a CD-ROM version of “Webster’s Biographical Dictionary,” a collection of biographical info of more than 30,000 important, celebrated and notorious figures from history. The lives of many of our ancestral families have been influenced by a prominent person. If such a person affects your family tree, wouldn’t it be fun to add the information to your history records? Order this $19 CD-ROM by calling (800) 223-6925.

Congratulations to Norm Genung of Spokane for doing what too many genealogists only talk about: He made the time to write up his research notes on the Genung family. Look for a copy of his book in the downtown library’s Genealogy Section soon, and borrow from his determination to complete a similar project yourself.

The Kelowna & District Genealogy Society will hold a seminar Sept. 21 with Penelope Christensen speaking on “Long Distance Research,” and Sherry Irvine presenting “Pre-1800 Resources for the UK, that Can be Accessed from North America.” Cost is $15 for one, $25 for a couple; mail reservations to Box 501, Station A, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1Y 7A1; or call Harry Beeson, 765-5814, for more information.

The fifth edition of “Genealogical & Local History Books in Print, The Family History Volume,” is available for $25, plus $3.50 postage, from Genealogical Publishing Co., by calling (800) 296-6687. Divided into two parts - family histories and compiled genealogies - this book contains nearly 5,000 entries alphabetically arranged by family name. An easier or more convenient method of locating books can hardly be imagined.

, DataTimes MEMO: Donna Potter Phillips welcomes letters from readers. Write to her at The Spokesman-Review, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. For a response, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Donna Potter Phillips The Spokesman-Review