GRIP - Friday

First, I'm home.  With a 3 hour time difference between Pittsburgh and home, I work up VERY early this morning.  Of course, I stayed up as late as possible to watch the opening ceremony of the Olympics.  (I just love watching all of the athletes walk in and I'm always amazed at where some of the countries are located; how small they are; or how many islands make up one country, etc.) 

Friday was only a half day of classes.  I believe this was a very wise idea.  So many of us (most of us?) talked about how tired we were.  During lunch it was fun to have one last visit with all of our new friends before leaving.  I just loved the opportunity to visit with both those in my class but those other special people I met who were in other classes.  (Did anyone notice that the cafeteria noise seemed to be higher Friday lunch even though there were fewer of us in there than on Sunday night?)

Many of us in Paula's Intermediate Genealogy class also appreciated the fact that she passed out the certificates one at a time so we could more easily identify the other class members (particularly those from the other side of the room, or from the front, or back);  those we didn't have as much opportunity to get to know.

Friday morning we had classes on finding US resources to help us "cross the pond" and then probate.  Honestly, I wasn't too excited about the first one, since I am not anywhere near finding out where or when my ancestors arrived in this country, or from where.  BUT, we should never discount something too soon.  There were so many different types of records mentioned and examples shown that will help me, just because they list locations.  So what if they don't list another country?  It's a location.  That's what is important!  Thank you, Paula. 

Of course probate records are really important for all of us to look at.  We never know what other types of information will be found in these records.  This is an area of records that I have not used at all.  I'm just really need to get out of my comfort zone and jump in.

I'll write a separate post listing next year's classes and summarizing a few things about this year.  But I will say now that I am SOOO glad I went.  Thank you Debbie and Elissa, all of the instructors and all of the other students.