Climbing Your Family Tree

Tim’s tips for researching genealogy
Almost inevitably as fall arrives, my preparations for the upcoming holidays prompt me to reflect on family traditions and wonderful holiday memories. Recalling all the laughter, delicious meals and so much more fueled a desire to learn more about my family and its history. What started out as a whim has turned into a fun pastime of gathering family history.
If you’re like me, you’ve probably always wondered where your family came from, who your ancestors were, what they did and so on. Unlike years ago, when researching family trees meant spending long hours pouring through county records or sneezing your way through dusty old library tomes, a majority of research can be done on the Internet.
A quick Google search reveals a multitude of genealogy search sites but there are several programs I’ve found useful. Family Tree Maker, Legacy and Personal Ancestral File (free from http://www.familysearch.org/) have helped me gather and organize my collection of names and records. Family Tree and Legacy deluxe are available for a minimal cost (under $40) while PAF is free, along with Legacy standard. There are other free sites that help you get started, including The US GenWeb Project, http://www.usgenweb.org/. There you’ll find tips on searching census records, finding maiden names, understanding the difference between a primary and secondary resource and more. The site also lists old occupations and today’s translations.

Here’s a fun example:

• Accomptant -- Accountant

• Almoner -- Giver of charity to the needy

• Amanuensis -- Secretary or stenographer

• Bluestocking -- Female writer

• Brazier -- One who works with brass

• Brewster -- Beer manufacturer

• Brightsmith -- Metal Worker

• Burgonmaster -- Mayor

By researching my genealogy I’ve been able to trace my father’s side back to 1672 and discovered that a related family with six sons was among the first settlers of Nova Scotia, Canada. For me, it’s very rewarding when I can link back to history and make a personal connection.
So what are you waiting for? Start climbing your own family tree – who knows what discoveries you’ll make!

Do you have any Geneology stories you'd like to share?

Feel free to email Tim at online@allgoodpestsolutions.com, post a comment here on the blog or Connect with us on Facebook

Scare up Some Fun this October in Georgia

When pumpkins pop up, scarecrows make an appearance and haunted houses become Friday night hotspots, you know fall is in the air. In Georgia, this season brings fun for the entire family. From corn mazes to fall festivals and pumpkin patches to trick-or-treating, wherever you live there’s sure to be something enjoyable just around the corner.
For those who like a challenge or enjoy getting lost on purpose, visit a corn maze. The North GA Corn Maze in Cleveland is located on eight acres and contains almost three miles of trails. Explore it by day or take a flashlight and get lost at night.

There’s also the House of Burm (not for the fainthearted), hay rides and free movies under the stars every Friday and Saturday night.

Other mazes include Colonel Cobs’ Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch in Oxford; Cagle’s Dairy Farm Corn Maze in Canton and Resaca; Kackleberry Farm’s Cornfield Maize in Louisville; and Poppell Farms’ Corn Maze in Odum.
While you’re at it, visit one of Georgia’s many festivals or haunted houses. Wherever you live – south, east, west or north – you’ll find something spooky somewhere around town. Helen boasts the longest-running Oktoberfest in the United States, complete with authentic German bands, bratwursts and dancing.

In Ringgold, the city hosts an annual Haunted Depot, based on an old Southern legend that will send shivers up and down your spine.

Meanwhile, Newnan features Horror Hill and Vertigo Trails, where, if you’re brave enough, you can camp out for the night. But don’t expect a quiet night’s sleep…you never know what the darkness holds.
For more information, including hours, prices and direction, visit these Web sites:
http://www.northgacornmaze.com/

http://www.colcobscornmaze.com/

http://www.caglesdairy.com/

http://www.kackleberryfarm.com/

http://www.poppellfarms.com/

http://www.helenchamber.com/

www.ringgoldhaunteddepot.com

www.ultimatenightmares.com/horrorhill/index.html

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Best Rome Pest Control and Termite Warranty Company

The people have spoken and chosen Allgood Pest Solutions as the the best Rome pest control provider. They also awarded Brad Couey as the best pest control exterminator in Rome.

Congratulations goes out to Brad and the rest of the Allgood team in Rome for their awards, they have worked incredibly hard for our customers and the community in Rome.

Atlanta Pest Control Company support's Foster Childrens Foundation

Allgood Pest Solutions in partnership with Keller Williams Atlanta Partners (Snellville office) sponsored a cook out for the Foster Children's Foundation.

The foundation helps siblings who had been seperated to reunite and have some fun together. We had a great turn out.

Gwinnett Braves Chopper was on hand also sporting a very familiar special edition Braves jersey. (Go Rally Foundation!) If you spot this tent around your community, stop by and say hi to the best Atlanta Pest Control Company.

The 4th Annual Allgood Pest Solutions Cycle for Parkinsons at Georgia Gwinnett College on June 28, 2009 was a great success. For the weekend we had 400 race entries. It was a very good race day on campus - even though it was quite hot, we had a nice breeze and lots of shady trees along the Start/Finish line. No serious injuries (a few skinned knees and elbows) and the help of Georgia Gwinnett College volunteers to marshal the race course made for excellent results. The racers ranged from 10-12 year old juniors to women to 40+ masters to the pros. Sunday’s criterium (a loop that is less than a mile) race ranged from 20 minutes for the young juniors to 90 minutes for the pro racers all done at top speeds.

Frazier Cycling and the Georgia Chapter of the APDA team up with the Gwinnett Sports Commission and Florida-based Top View Sports to hold this event each year to raise public awareness about Parkinson’s Disease. Georgia Gwinnett College has for the past four years provided the race venue. This race is highly ranked by the cycling community as one of the best run races in the region. Thanks goes out to all of our Sponsors
Corporate Sponsors:
Atlanta Pest Control Company - Allgood Pest Solutions
Cheryl Mann, Atlanta Home Health Care
Blue Competition Cycles, Norcross
Bicycle Doctor, Norcross
Georgia’s Own Credit Union
Power Bar
J Brown Co
Gwinnett Sports Commission
Frazier Cycling
Individual Sponsors:
Russell and Mintoo Beasley

Agriculture Commissioner Irvin warns Georgians to protect structures against termite infestation after recent flooding

Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin alerts Georgians that they need to “consider options” in preventing future termite infestations as a result of recent flooding in the northern part of the state.“Structures in Georgia are particularly vulnerable to termite attack and it is important to be protected,” says Irvin, whose department license structural pest control operators.
The recent rainfall -- and subsequent flooding -- have saturated soils and damaged homes and businesses that will require major rebuilding. Irvin says now is a good time to review or re-establish termite control measures that may have been disturbed by the flooding.
Irvin says home and business owners should always seek professional help when dealing with termites.
“A licensed pest management professional can best answer the question ‘Is my home or business still protected against termites?’” Irvin says. “If you have a liquid termiticide barrier treatment or termite monitoring/baiting programs (to protect your structure), it is essential that the pest control company determine if the barrier or stations have been disturbed by heavy rains or flooding.”Re-treatment of termiticide or re-installation of a baiting program may be required. Irvin says a trained structural pest control professional will be able to look for soil erosion and ascertain if soil has been carried away by the rains and flood and deposited away from a foundation or next to it. If there is a shifting of soil away from a foundation, it may be probable that termite re-treatment will be necessary.
Irvin says re-treatment may also be needed if there is movement of adjacent attached slabs such as patios, porches, driveways and sidewalks or a foundation.
“The disturbance of the liquid barrier treatment or termite monitoring system is an unfortunate occurrence, and is neither the fault of the homeowner, business owner, or the pest control company,” the commissioner says. “A property owner needs to review their termite control contract to see who is responsible for the reestablishment of the termite protection. This can be found in the terms and conditions of the contract.”
Irvin advises home and business owners to be cautious, in addition to using and seeking the advice only of licensed professional pest control companies.
“If a company is not licensed in Georgia, it is illegal for them to practice termite control work, and your property will not be professionally protected,” Irvin says. “If you are in doubt, call Structural Pest Control, Georgia Department of Agriculture at (404) 656-3641.” You can also verify a company’s operator’s license at http://www.kellysolutions.com/ga/structural/
“Being inadequately protected is a gamble that you should not entertain,” Irvin says. “You want to be 100-percent certain that you don’t have a termite problem because if you guess wrong, it could cost you tens of thousands of dollars. Here, an ounce of prevention is the best course.”

Allgood earns Best Atlanta pest control company title

Allgood Pest Solutions chosen Best Atlanta Pest Control Company.