Celebrate Independence Week Genealogy Style!

July 4, 1776, marks the day that the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence and is considered the birth of the United States of America. That day has been celebrated nearly every year since its first anniversary in 1777 (Wikipedia: "Independence Day (United States)").

Spirit of '76 by Archibald MacNeal Willard, 1875

This year, three genealogy websites are offering FREE access to some of their records in celebration of our Independence Day:

1. Fold3 is offering FREE access to the Revolutionary War Collection from July 1 to July 15. Visit the Fold3 HQ blog at http://blog.fold3.com/free-access-to-the-revolutionary-war-collection/ for details and links to their collection.
   
2. NEHGS is granting FREE access to all online searchable databases on AmericanAncestors.org related to the Great Migration from July 1 through July 8. You must sign up as a Guest User (also free) to take advantage of this offer. Visit their website at http://www.americanancestors.org/fourthofjuly for details and links to the collections.
   
3. Ancestry is offering FREE access to their 13 Colonies Collection from July 1 through July 5. Visit the 13 Colonies Collection page at http://search.ancestry.com/search/grouplist.aspx?group=thirteen_colonies for a full list of the records in this collection and to search all those records.

Take time between your picnics and fireworks to do some free research on your colonial ancestors.

Don't forget that there will be no PCGS meeting in July. Our next meeting will be held August 15 at the regular time, but we are meeting at a different location. Visit our website's calendar page at http://azpimagensoc.org/eventListings.php?nm=19&ec=7&tf=12 for the address and a map to our temporary location.

Stay cool!