I saw this announcement yesterday on the weekly NEHGS newsletter: 
          "On September 1, 2017, FamilySearch will discontinue its microfilm distribution services. (The last day to order microfilm will be on August 31, 2017.) The change is the result of significant progress made in FamilySearch’s microfilm digitization efforts and the obsolescence of microfilm technology. The remaining microfilms should be digitized by the end of 2020."

The announcement did not say that everything they digitize will actually be available, and if so, on their free site or on their subscription site. Also note that there is a 3 year gap between them ending the microfilm rental service and them having the existing records fully digitized. That may present a 3-year problem for your Mayflower, DAR, SAR, Colonial Dames of the XVII Century, Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America, DUVCW, SUVCW, New England Women, Daughters of Colonial Wars, U.S. Daughters of 1812, the General Society War of 1812, etc. etc. application.

Local Family History Centers "have the option to return microfilm that is available online or otherwise not needed. As more images are published online, centers may reevaluate whether to retain microfilm holdings." So, if you are a volunteer at your local FHC, make sure you are in on that conversation.





 

I "attended" the webinar today and just got an email that it is online now. I think you have to be a member to watch it today, but maybe they will put it in their DNA section for the public to watch later. Here is the URL: http://www.americanancestors.org/Education/Learning-Resources/Watch. Their generic section on DNA (and how you can hire them to help you with DNA issues) is  http://www.americanancestors.org/DNA. This webinar was not for beginners, and assumes you have some concept of how DNA results can be used (or not) in lineage society (aka hereditary society) applications. He compared results from the same person taking the same test from multiple companies and showed that they can differ noticeably, especially the tests that promise to reveal one's ethnicity. Companies have different populations of test subjects they compare the sample to, some in America, some overseas, some dead for centuries. Assumptions are made about the ethnicities of the dead and presumably the living. In other words, there is a lot of "give" to the results. He also explained why siblings can have different results from the same test. Definitely worth a watch.

Perhaps this isn't news to anyone but me, but in case (like me) you also had not heard or are new to genealogy, the Alden Kindred of America database is now back on their web site for the public to use. Click on this link to go directly to the searchable database, then I recommend you select the Surname List. The database has up to 8 generations of Alden. The GSMD silver books cover 5 or 6 generations, which typically get you to the mid 1700s, sometimes as far as a Revolutionary ancestor (useful if you already belong to the DAR or SAR.) As an example, my 3rd great grandfather (1806-1897) is listed on the AKA site but the Alden silver book leaves off with his wife's grandmother. Being listed on someone's database or on any website is NOT proof of anything, but it gives you an idea of places to look or possible avenues of research you might pursue to find your ancestors.

One reason is submitting too much junk. This is 2" of paper someone submitted to a lineage society (note ruler) next to the 1/8" that was actually needed for the application. (Hint: Do not photocopy the lineage society's own books. They have a copy. They sell copies.)