AncestorNews: A Helping Hand

Riding at anchor in San Diego Bay is the world’s oldest active sailing ship, the Star of India. Launched in 1863 from Ramsey Shipyard in the Isle of Man, she started life as Euterpe, named for the Greek goddess of music. After a spotty history as a cargo ship (mutiny and a dead captain), she spent the next 25 years hauling English emigrants to New Zealand. During this time, she circumnavigated the globe 21 times.

Later, the ship’s name was changed to the Star of India, and she plied the waters from California to the Bering Sea, as part of the cannery business. Eventually, slated for demolition, she was salvaged, hauled to San Diego and renovated.

It recently occurred to me that there are probably New Zealand genealogists whose family arrived on board the Euterpe. Wouldn’t it be fun to take digital photos of the ship for them? I decided the best way to let people know that I had pictures would be to post messages on the New Zealand mailing lists, and on the PacificGenWeb pages (part of the WorldGenWeb). I’m heading down to the Star this weekend to get started on my photo project. I’ll enjoy the trip on board the old girl, as well as the chance to help other researchers.

Most of us have a little bit of history on our own doorsteps. You may live close to historic buildings, or places where historic events took place. What better way to help other family tree climbers than to offer to take photos of the sights their ancestors knew well? What history happened in your backyard?

Looking for a place to post a “I can take a photo” notice?

• Genealogy Resources on the Internet
www.rootsweb.com/~jfuller/gen_mail.html
Mailing lists.

• RootsWeb
lists.rootsweb.com
Mailing lists.

• WorldGenWeb
www.worldgenweb.org
Divided into 11 geographic regions.

• USGenWeb
www.usgenweb.com
Organized by US state and county.