After Conferences - Now What? - Master Location Files

I was fortunate to be able to attend both NGS and Jamboree this year.  (I'm going to miss FGS.)  Anyway, I learned a lot but I really need to process what was presented, organize my CDs and syllabus material, etc.

So, I'm working on going through my family files on the software programs and making sure that I have good sources for each fact.  Since some of these were started before I became as aware of the importance of sources, I have lots of catching up to do. 

Tina Lyons http://genwishlist.blogspot.com/ worked through her files by surname.  I haven't quite figured out what to do later, but for now I'm going through my master location list and making sure that I have the correct counties for each town.  It's a start.  Of course I have 10 or 11 different family files so it's taking me quite awhile.  And I have more than one software program so I have to work a little differently for each one. 

I have google or yahoo open and put in a town and state and find out a county.  Then I look in the Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790-1920, and make sure that the county was there at the time period I'm working with.  I have found that many times I can quickly make an adjustment to numerous files at once. 

So, I hope you don't need to do this, but if you do need to make changes to locations, check out your software program and see how to make changes that will apply to each mention for that location.  Good luck.

SCGS Jamboree 2012 - Saturday

At 8:30 Elyse Doerflinger gave a great presentation on organizing digital Stuff.  If you don't know her, she's dynamic, knowledgeable and young.  I'm sure that the attendees in the almost full room were very glad they found at seat in this 8:30 session.  Thank you Elyse. 

I had some good sessions and one I wish I had skipped, even though the room was full.  I know that sometimes timing of a presentation gets off, but I really feel that all of us deserved more than a 30 minute presentation in an hour time period. 

I feel my mind is overloaded.  I'm having trouble remembering the classes I took today, much less the past two days.  But I have notes and I bought some DVDs and CDs of many presentations that I was unable to attend.  It's going to take me weeks, I'm afraid, to really analyze and organize what I have heard/learned. 

If you haven't been to Jamboree, think about next year.  For all of us who live in the west, this is the premier genealogy conference.  It's close, across from the Burbank (Bob Hope) airport; it's reasonably priced; it's convenient (the hotel is next to the convention center); there are restaurant options with a block walking distance.  AND the SCGS volunteers put on a great, well-planned, well-organized conference that is FUN!!!!!!!

SCGS Jamboree - Friday

While Jamboree sessions requiring registration began at 1:30 today, the exhibit hall opened at noon and the morning choices including a tour, a research trip to the SCGS Library, roundtable discussions, and more.

I chose to attend four sessions all concerning Genealogy Society Development.  Wow!  So much information; SO MANY IDEAS.  Too bad I'm not 10 people (or perhaps I need to be 20).  Cath Madden Trindle's topic was Projects.  Then Schelly Talalay Darshashti spoke about Publicity.  George Morgan provided a long, long list of Affordable Member Benefits.  We finished with Josh Taylor's presentation about Creating a Website.  Most societies have web sites, but Josh gave us great ideas to improve our sites.  I wrote notes and more notes. 

If you are interested in these presentations, you can order video or audio copies of them by contacting Conference Resource at www.myconferenceresource.com or calling 866-813-2451.  No, I am receiving no compensation for this review.  However, if you want some exciting ideas to energize your society, you can get them through these presentations.

SCGS Jamboree Tech Trax

Preconference Day is over.  Five sessions.  I really thought four were great.  The most helpful to me was Barry Ewell's talk on photo editing.  Since I have had my digital camera for less than 2 years, and have never tried to edit anything except for cropping (a little) and pushing the button for auto editing, I was quite hesitant before he started.  I was afraid that it was all going to be over my head.  With his clear explanations and his offer to send even more info to us, I am excited to try some cleaning up of photos.  Thank you, Barry.

Today, this morning I'm going to the society track.  Then, Jamboree sessions begin after lunch.  I still haven't made all of my choices.  Some hours there are just too many great topics and speakers.  My suggestion to others in this position, check out which sessions are video or audio taped.  Yes, it's a little extra expense, but far less than attending another conference. AND, you can listen to these over and over and over.  I started that a year ago and I'm so glad I did. 

In fact, Dawn Thurston was a part of the Writers' conference yesterday and her four session were video taped and are on sale at a discount if you buy all 4.  Her syllabus pages were good, but her sessions were packed.  Some people were turned away because the room was full.  And there was lots of excited talk at lunch and later.  So, I think I'll get hers.  Now for other decisions.

One great day down;  3 more to go

Jamboree - Tech Track/Trax

I'm in Burbank at the Marriott.  Tomorrow morning, Thursday, will be my intro to technology and genealogy; more than a laptop and a digital camera.  (That's the extent of my tech stuff.)

If you are in the session, please let me know.  I'm sure I'll have lots of questions.  Of course, it appears that so many bloggers are really much more advanced than I am.  BUT, if you are a newbie in this area, I'd love to meet you.  Please say Hi. 

For ID purposes, I'll be wearing a long skirt and a little Indian jewelry.