Tuesday's Tip - Article by Thomas on Collaborating with Genealogists

While reading google+ this morning, Caroline Pointer had a link to this article.  It's really good and has some great ideas for all of us.  Thank you, Caroline, for posting this link.

Thomas MacEntee wrote "How To Collaborate With Other Genealogists" and this article was posted on September 23, 2011.  The link is below.  Thomas, thank you for a well-written article with some really good suggestions.

http://www.archives.com/experts/macentee-thomas/collaborate-with-genealogists.html

 I'm going to mention this to some other genealogists.  If we all made an effort to follow even half of these suggestions, our community would expand and we may get through even more of our "brick walls." 

Society Saturday - FHSA (AZ) Glendale & Scottsdale Meetings

Next week, two chapters of The Family History Society of Arizona (FHSA) have meetings scheduled. 

On Monday night September 26, the Glendale chapter meets at the Glendale Public Library at 6:30 pm.  The program is a discussion on how previous speakers have improved our research.

On Tuesday night September 27, the Scottsdale chapter meets at the Paiute Neighborhood Center at 7:00 pm.  The speaker there will be Judy Nelson and her topic is "Updates and Changes in FamilySearch.org. 

For more information on these chapters as well as the other five chapters in FHSA, please see http://www.fhsa.org/.  Our society welcomes visitors and encourages members to attend as many chapter meetings as they wish each month. 

The third Wednesday of each month is a busy one because two chapters meet on that day:  Daytimers in the afternoon and East Valley in the evening.  I was glad to be able to attend both meetings today. 

Lynn Crawford spoke at the Daytimers chapter about PAF and gave ideas that were applicable not just to PAF and other genealogy software programs but to most windows programs also.  I didn't realize that you could reorder lists; add columns in lists, etc.  I also didn't realize why I would get different options when right clicking on things.  Thank you Lynn. 

Then I attended the East Valley meeting.  Trudi Arledge reminded us about some of those "old" ways to look at things that we often forget because we get so busy with all of the new technology.  Ideas like looking at neighbors and following migration paths were helpful years ago and are still good things to look at now.  Then Sherry Richardson, PhD gave us examples of a variety of ways to use technology to present our genealogy.  This including web sites, blogs, as well as scrapbooking, mapping and using digital recorders and YouTube.  These two ladies provided us with lots of things to think about as well as to try.  Thank you Trudi and Sherry.

So I'd like to encourage all FHSA members to look at other chapters and there meetings.  I also want to invite all visitors to Arizona as well as residents who are not FHSA members, to visit one or two chapters and enjoy the benefits of sitting with others who share our passion.

Tuesday's Tip - Organize Business Cards Received

Did you come home from FGS or another conference with a stack of business cards and you can't put a face with the name?  Do you exchange business cards and then can’t remember who the person is and what common surnames you share?  Did you forget what you had in common, what you talked about, or what session(s) you both attended?  In the past I have.

The FGS Conference in Springfield was different.  I exchanged cards with many attendees.  But instead of just keeping the cards filed until I returned home,  every night, I made a note of what this person and I talked about, whether it was a surname, a society issue, or just general genealogy information.  A couple of great people I shared meals with, both of us being singles and deciding to share a table.  I noted all of that, or at least as much as I could remember after a long day at the conference. 

At past conferences, I wasn’t as diligent in keeping track of the great people I met, and so I am not able to easily contact them with information that may be of interest to both of us.  I mentioned this to my daughter and son-in-law after the conference and they both stated that they often write on the back of the new card special information.  They do this as soon after they exchange the card as is politely possible to do.  I think I may try this next time.  I can always make notes during a session before I start taking notes or put the new card away.

I’ve only been home 6 days and I still need to organize some of the cards I received. But I know who they are.  And I promised a couple of new friends some information.  Now I just have to get it ready to send.  That will be next week’s project. 

So, my suggestion is to decide the best way for you to record enough information about the person you receive a card from so that you will benefit from the meeting at a later date.  And, you will know who you promised what information so that the next time you meet, you won’t be embarrassed about your short lapse of memory (senior moment?)

And if you have other ideas, please share them.  I’m open to new ideas.

Thankful Thursday - FGS Conference Volunteers

Thank you FGS and ISGS volunteers for a great FGS conference in Springfield.  Also, thank you Speakers for the great presentations.  I learned so much.  Now I need time to organize the information so that I can benefit from it all.

I had a great time and I know many, many others did to. So, thank you All for your efforts. 

FGS 2011 - Attendees from Arizona

Last week in Springfield, I believe I heard someone say they were from  Arizona.  When I turned around, I couuldn't figure out who it was.  And I was on my way to a conference session, so really couldn't have talked long anyway. 

So now I'm looking for attendees from Arizona.  Who are you?  Where do you live?  Did you fly or drive?  Do you live in Arizona full time?  What other conferences do you generally attend?  Are you a blogger? 

If you attended the FGS conference or know someone who did, please get in touch with me.  I'd like to compare some notes, perhaps by having a mini-reunion in a couple of months.  We may be able to help each other by filling in missing information we obtained during those busy four days.

FGS 2011 - After the Conference - Part 1

The FGS conference in Springfield ended Saturday.  Packing up the flyers, syllabus pages and my notes was a reminder of all that I had learned or been introduced to in four days.  There was a lot of new information; a lot of reminders; and some just plain "Don't forget this!!!" information. 

Now that I am on my way home, I stopped by Skokie, Illinois, for a few days before flying back to Phoenix, I realize that the after conference summaries and reviews are just as important, or perhaps more important, than the planning before the conference. 

Where am I going to file the flyers so that I can find them and retrieve the information?  Or am I just going to put the information someplace on my computer (and remember while file I saved it to?

The notes that I took regarding web sites need to be near my computer so that I can check out the sites.  The notes I took about research facilities and collections need to be filed with the state and with research sites.  The notes I took about research techniques need to be filed in some appropriate place.  (Otherwise why learn new techniques?  I want to be sure I try some new methods which may make searching more productive.  And then, where do I put all of the bibliographic references?  Just keeping them on the flash drive won't necessarily help me when I need information.  So do I copy and paste these to a separate file and then save them (again in an appropriate place on my computer and remember where I saved the file)? 

As you can see, I have different types of information that I want to be able to readily access.  I'd love to here how you do it.  And, obviously, it's going to take me some time filing before I actually can use a lot of the great information provided at the FGS Conference. 

Oh yes.  And I need a little time to rest (from the days filled with information) as well as to catch up on yard work and even some work around the house.

Mystery Monday - Paralee Steen(e)/Steele TRICE

This mystery woman married my great grandfather Charles Yancy Trice.  On her headstone in Belle Vista Cemetery, El Dorado, Kansas, it states “Paralee, Wife of C Y Trice” and the dates 1847-1893. 

In the History of Boone County Missouri, “He was married November 19th, 1878, to a daughter of Alfred R Steele.”  Unfortunately the book doesn’t say anything more about her.  I have not found her or her father in 1850, 1860 or 1870 census records.  The 1880 census records show that she was born about 1857, not 1847, as the headstone.  But we know that a wife may not want to indicate that she is older than her husband. 

On the death certificate of Odon Charles Trice it states that his mother was Paralee Steen, born in Joplin, Missouri.  On the death certificate of his sister Harriet Trice Sheley it says her mother was Perilee Steene, born near Joplin, Missouri.

An obituary for Charles Yancy Trice stated that “By his first marriage to Miss Paralee M Steen…” 

So the family has her maiden name as Steen.  The history book has her father’s surname as Steele.  I have been unable to find her, or her father, with either spelling.

So, who is she?  Who were her parents?  Are there any birth or marriage records for her?   Do any of you have any knowledge of her?  Do you have access to a death record for her that may give more information? 

FGS 2011 - Part 4 - Friday

This afternoon I attended my first session that wasn't actually scheduled.  What?  Yes, this is a new idea.  In the one room set aside for these informal sessions, Amy scheduled the topic on Blogging.  I believe 13 or 14 attended and the discussion was on different aspects of blogging.  It was really interesting.  Thank you, Amy, for setting up the session.  Thank you, Bloggers, for the providing so much information that no one person would probably ever know. 

For dinner I walked to Gianfranco.  It's on Adams, just past the bookstore.  I had a great dinner.  And they are open until 8 I believe.  While Gianfranco's is an informal place, the service was prompt and the food came out hot.  And it was really good.  I saw a few other FGS attendees there.  I hope they enjoyed their dinners as much as I enjoyed mine.

Reading the WeTree blog I found out about HistoryGeo.com.  If you have looked at the map books in the Arphax booth, and wish you had $2000 to buy all of the books for your counties, this NEW web site is much less expensive.  You can sign up and look at some basic maps FREE.  And then there are two subscription levels.  If you are still here at the FGS conference, you may want to get "hands on" instruction at the booth on Saturday.  If not, check out the web site or call them.

Tomorrow, Saturday, is the last day of FGS 2011.  Some attendees will be leaving tomorrow and some of us will be staying until Sunday.  I have had a great 3 days and I know the last one will be just as informative and fun as the past 3.  Thank you Paula and Josh and all of the great volunteers.  And a huge thank you to the city of Springfield and the little cafes near the hotels who were sometimes inundated with all of us who were wearing lanyards with ribbons hanging down from our name badges.

FGS 2011 - Part 3 - Friday

Oh have the days run into each other.  Sessions at FGS began at 8 am this morning.  Since many of the cafes don't open until 7 there wasn't much time.  It was also raining, but I went out anyway to get a light breakfast (at the Trout Lily, again).  Almost no one was on the street.  Guess people may think they shrink?  I don't know. 

Sessions yesterday with the door prize drawings not starting until 6:30 made for a long day.  I won't write about the details.  At the moment I don't remember all of them although I do have complete notes. 

Something great is that about half (I'm guessing) of the talks are being audio recorded.  With this noted in the program I sometimes have attended a talk that isn't recorded because I'll order a CD for one that is recorded.  I wish there were some video recordings also being made (SCGS's Jamboree had some).  These are really great.  But I guess we need to be concerned and consider if anyone would go to a conference or even a session.  I would, but would everyone? 

Time to leave for another session.  Also, I need to check out one of the vendors.  I just heard about a new subscription site on maps.  Need to check it out.  More later.

FGS 2011 - Part 2 - Wednesday

Oh, so much is happening.  And there are three more days to go.  I will survive!!

Last night I attended a reception for bloggers that was hosted by FamilySearch.  All bloggers who were attending the FGS conference were invited.  It was great to actually meet some of the bloggers I had never met and to be reintroduced to some of those I did know.  Fun. 

FamilySearch representatives provided so much information about new projects and improved services on familysearch.org.  There was lots of information regarding RootsTech 2012.  Many of us are going to want to help indexing the 1940 census starting next April.  Progress is being made on putting Civil War records online. 

One of the most impressive statements to me is that records are being added online within 4 weeks after being digitalized and the goal is to have them available in 2 weeks.  Amazing.  Indexing will come later but the images are going to be available for browsing.  Well, we used to just wind microfilm; now we click on images.  Which is easier on the shoulder? 

Wednesday was society day.  We had sessions on so many different topics from making sure our society is thinking about the future in meeting the changing needs of our members, both our current ones and our new ones.  Sessions on social media in all forms were available all day.  Brainstorming sessions were also offered so that we received ideas from many attendees.  What a great variety of ideas.  I loved it. 

It's so difficult to unwind tonight.  But tomorrow morning is coming.  And there will be great sessions and the exhibit hall will also be open.  I'm really looking forward to another great day. 

FGS 2011 - Part 1 - Tuesday

You will probably be able to read about this FGS conference by many bloggers.  This will be my first conference since becoming a blogger. 

The conference actually starts tomorrow.  This morning, Tuesday, a took the Metra from Morton Grove to Union Station in the Chicago area; then the Amtrak from Chicago to Springfield.  Guess what?  Three of the four people sitting in front of me were also coming to the conference.  Harold, from Indiana, and Jacqueline from Evanston, sat together.  Then is seems that Harold had never met Jane from Michigan, but I believe Jane had helped Harold out with some research.  SMALL WORLD!!

I checked in and then went looking for someplace for lunch.  You can't believe all of the Welcome signs in the cafe windows.  What a nice feeling.  Unfortunately, in the few blocks I walked, I'm going to be unable to visit all of the very interesting restaurants during the time I'm here.  I like to walk before and after a day sitting during a conference.  I also walk during the lunch break, if I'm not signed up for a lunch.  If you're looking for someplace, walk Adams and Monroe, and 6th and 5th streets.  (That's what I've done so far.)  I had a great chicken, walnut, raspberry salad at Trout Lily on 6th Street.

Next stop:  the convention center to pick up registration materials.  I still need to get myself organized for tomorrow.  Oh, yes.  On the way back from the convention center, I found an Irish pub that is supposed to have music Wednesday, tomorrow, night.  I don't know whether or not the music is traditional.  But I may stop by.  The Celtic Mist is on 7th street, just across from the Abraham Lincoln Hotel. 

As I walked into the hotel lobby, Amy had just finished checking in and was going to drop off luggage.  She was meeting a friend in a hotel restaurant and invited me to join.  Instead I'm here, back in the room.  I  figured out how to connect to the internet, unpacked, and I'm resting. The next 4 days are going to be busy, exciting and fun.

Come back and read additional parts. I'll try to let you know about my experiences as if you are here.  And, don't forget to check out the other bloggers who are writing about this FGS conference.

Disclosure:  I've mentioned a couple of specific restaurants, but I have received no compensation or discount from either of them.

FGS 2011 - Tai Chi - Yang Style (Long form)

I'll be in Springfield next Tuesday afternoon.  Does anyone practice Tai Chi Yang Style Long Form?  Would you like to meet during the conference?  Morning, lunch time, evening? 

I'm still a beginner.  I studied for about 3 years with a great teacher, but have had to practice on my own for the past 2 years.  Unfortunately the studio closed and I've been unable to find another location that also teaches/practices this style.  

At Jamboree and at FGS in Knoxville, it never occurred to me to ask if any one else wanted to practice.  Of course, I may not have asked since I wasn't a blogger then. 

Please let me know.  Perhaps we can find some time that is good for us all.  Thank you.

Thrifty Thursday - Mel's 19 cent hamburgers - Pomona

Did any of you live in the Pomona California area in the 1960s?  Did you ever go to Mel’s?  It was located at 304 East Holt;  at the corner of Holt and Palomares).  They had 19 cent hamburgers and 21 cent cheeseburgers; just what starving college students needed on weekends when the Cal Poly cafeteria was closed, or when we needed something other than cafeteria food.

What a difference 50 years makes!  (Oh, is that hard to write!!!!)  But now we can buy 99 cent hamburgers.  So maybe things aren’t that bad.