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.
Friday, June 8, 2012
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
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
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
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.
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.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Society Saturday - Writing & Publishing Ideas
Are you trying to decide how to write your family history? What format? What to include? How many generations? Descendant or Ancestor based? A personal story? A cookbook? A location book?
The number of ways to write about your family are endless. There are so many varieties of books. So, how do you decide?
This morning the Family History Society of Arizona (FHSA) held a mini-workshop about writing your family history. Three published writers, members of FHSA, attended. Also, books by 3 other FHSA members were available for review. In addition, a variety of other types of books about family stories were available for the attendees.
In the 2+ hours of this informal session, each author talked about her efforts and works. The attendees were able to ask questions. There was a lot of interest in the numerous ways to present research. Also included were discussions about photos, color printing or black and white, types of fonts, number of pages, types of paper and covers, and ways to bind the books. Some authors charged for copies; some gave the books as gifts. Some writers gave copies of their works to libraries. Options regarding printing were also discussed including self-printing, printing at local office-supply store, or paying a printer.
I know that this session has inspired me to start writing on some projects and to continue writing on others. I may actually get some books published next year.
If any of you are interested in providing this type of session for your friends and/or society members, and have questions, please contact me. I'd like to see more activities like this; I believe we would all benefit.
The number of ways to write about your family are endless. There are so many varieties of books. So, how do you decide?
This morning the Family History Society of Arizona (FHSA) held a mini-workshop about writing your family history. Three published writers, members of FHSA, attended. Also, books by 3 other FHSA members were available for review. In addition, a variety of other types of books about family stories were available for the attendees.
In the 2+ hours of this informal session, each author talked about her efforts and works. The attendees were able to ask questions. There was a lot of interest in the numerous ways to present research. Also included were discussions about photos, color printing or black and white, types of fonts, number of pages, types of paper and covers, and ways to bind the books. Some authors charged for copies; some gave the books as gifts. Some writers gave copies of their works to libraries. Options regarding printing were also discussed including self-printing, printing at local office-supply store, or paying a printer.
I know that this session has inspired me to start writing on some projects and to continue writing on others. I may actually get some books published next year.
If any of you are interested in providing this type of session for your friends and/or society members, and have questions, please contact me. I'd like to see more activities like this; I believe we would all benefit.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Adoption Question
Can you help?
How can an adopted child prove the relationship to a birth mother? Mother and child are in contact with each other. Neither one of them is against proving the relationship. The birth was in Connecticut and the adopted child still lives in Connecticut.
Suggestions? Thank you.
How can an adopted child prove the relationship to a birth mother? Mother and child are in contact with each other. Neither one of them is against proving the relationship. The birth was in Connecticut and the adopted child still lives in Connecticut.
Suggestions? Thank you.
SCGS Jamboree - In THREE weeks
Three weeks from now I'll be at Jamboree in Burbank, California. (It's sponsored by the Southern California Genealogical Society.) I'm excited. I know I'll see familiar and new faces. It's not too late to register. http://www.scgsgenealogy.com/Jamboree/2012jam-home.htm. Yes, that's where you'll find all of the information. Hope to see you!!!
Saturday, May 12, 2012
NGS 2012 - Day 4
A busy day started out with my getting up late. Last night some band was playing about 3-4 blocks away on an outdoor stage. I couldn't hear the music but I could definitely "hear" the bass sound. Then at 11 pm fireworks because the team won. Not being a baseball fan, I didn't even know they were playing. Anyway, I slept in late.
But I'm so glad I didn't miss my first session. The room was full, even at 8 am on Saturday morning. Patricia Wells Stamm spoke on "Railroad Men and the Records They Left Behind." Using the records may not be difficult IF you can find them. This was a great presentation with some good references.
Next I was torn between two courses. I attended "Indirect Evidence: What To Do When Perry Mason Isn't on Your Side" by Harold Henderson. Not a lot of new information here, but I loved the t-shirts on his slide that said "Department of Hints." I often wish there was a service desk in the next room.
I ordered the CD for Elizabeth Shown Mills' "Information Overload?" and attended the session by Laura Murphy DeGrazia on "Should You Believe Your Eyes? Sizing Up Sources and Information." She provided some of the most concise definitions of Source, Information and Evidence that I've seen. I would have liked the talk to be a little more at the intermediate level, but that's just me.
During and after lunch there seemed to be a lot of discussion about how uncomfortable the chairs were in the conference rooms. Lots of us were having hip and back problems. I don't know how these chairs were different, but it seemed like more of us were uncomfortable. But, then there are only 2 more sessions. I can do this.
So on the "Online State Resources for Genealogy" by Michael Hait. Michael said he has subscriptions to all of the major web sites, but he was going to talk about those "other" places to look. He provided a few specific web sites but then also suggested that we look at county government web sites and reminded us that some counties have archives. He also suggested looking at branches of county governments for possible probate and land record indexes online, and then university and public libraries.
The last session of the last day: Rev. David McDonald filled in for another speaker who had a family emergency. So there were no pages in the syllabus and he lost the file for this presentation. He couldn't find it on his computer. Well, if you think this was going to be horrible, you're wrong. David's topic was "Top 10 Tips to Concluding Effective Research." A syllabus was passed out that listed and explained 10 tips. For me, this was a perfect way to end the NGS 2012 conference. A way to decide when "enough is enough."
I'm going to have dinner, catch up (perhaps) on email, index (perhaps) a couple of batches and PACK. I need to leave the hotel about 7 am so the packing must be done tonight.
I have so many new ideas, and ways to be a better researcher and a better organizer and a better evaluator, etc. And, as many of you know, there just aren't enough hours in a day or days in a week, to do it all. But I will get started and I know I won't be sitting around "eating bon-bons" and being bored.
I hope to see you at Jamboree next month or in Las Vegas in one year.
But I'm so glad I didn't miss my first session. The room was full, even at 8 am on Saturday morning. Patricia Wells Stamm spoke on "Railroad Men and the Records They Left Behind." Using the records may not be difficult IF you can find them. This was a great presentation with some good references.
Next I was torn between two courses. I attended "Indirect Evidence: What To Do When Perry Mason Isn't on Your Side" by Harold Henderson. Not a lot of new information here, but I loved the t-shirts on his slide that said "Department of Hints." I often wish there was a service desk in the next room.
I ordered the CD for Elizabeth Shown Mills' "Information Overload?" and attended the session by Laura Murphy DeGrazia on "Should You Believe Your Eyes? Sizing Up Sources and Information." She provided some of the most concise definitions of Source, Information and Evidence that I've seen. I would have liked the talk to be a little more at the intermediate level, but that's just me.
During and after lunch there seemed to be a lot of discussion about how uncomfortable the chairs were in the conference rooms. Lots of us were having hip and back problems. I don't know how these chairs were different, but it seemed like more of us were uncomfortable. But, then there are only 2 more sessions. I can do this.
So on the "Online State Resources for Genealogy" by Michael Hait. Michael said he has subscriptions to all of the major web sites, but he was going to talk about those "other" places to look. He provided a few specific web sites but then also suggested that we look at county government web sites and reminded us that some counties have archives. He also suggested looking at branches of county governments for possible probate and land record indexes online, and then university and public libraries.
The last session of the last day: Rev. David McDonald filled in for another speaker who had a family emergency. So there were no pages in the syllabus and he lost the file for this presentation. He couldn't find it on his computer. Well, if you think this was going to be horrible, you're wrong. David's topic was "Top 10 Tips to Concluding Effective Research." A syllabus was passed out that listed and explained 10 tips. For me, this was a perfect way to end the NGS 2012 conference. A way to decide when "enough is enough."
I'm going to have dinner, catch up (perhaps) on email, index (perhaps) a couple of batches and PACK. I need to leave the hotel about 7 am so the packing must be done tonight.
I have so many new ideas, and ways to be a better researcher and a better organizer and a better evaluator, etc. And, as many of you know, there just aren't enough hours in a day or days in a week, to do it all. But I will get started and I know I won't be sitting around "eating bon-bons" and being bored.
I hope to see you at Jamboree next month or in Las Vegas in one year.
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