Surname Saturday - Allen Thurman Poe (1888 TX-1979 NV)

Allen Thurman Poe or Thurman Allen Poe is a grandfather I don't believe I ever met.  I am looking for information about him, and of course, his ancestors.  I am also interested in his wife Olga Engdahl.

I have followed Poe from through the census records from 1910 (in Oklahoma) through 1940 in Nevada.  He had a variety of occupations.  I believe he married in Sparks, Nevada in 1919. 

I would really appreciate any information you could provide.  Of course, I'd really like photos or any other documentation.  I am willing to share what little I do have.

If you are interested in collaborating on this family research, please contact me.

Thomas G Blackmore c 1897 Colorado

While visiting my father-in-law's brother, he showed me this photo of Thomas Greenslade Blackmore, in his store in Colorado, about 1897.  I took this photo because I didn't have a scanner available.  I believe this is in Rifle, Colorado.

 

 

In the future, perhaps some months in the future, I may receive the original as well as others.  Therefore, if you are researching the Blackmore family in Colorado and would like to collaborate, please contact me.

Memorial Day - Please Remember the Combat Medics

 

Memorial Day is a time to remember.  This group of people is special to my heart.  Please remember all of those who served.

 

 

NGS Packing Ideas

I'm starting to pack for NGS in Las Vegas.  And I just read Julie Miller's blog on the NGS Conference blog about drinking water.  Drink Lots of Water.  I live in the desert so I know that water is important.  If you lips are dry or chapped, or if you are getting headaches, I suggest you start drinking more water.  Her suggestion of a glass an hour is good.  If you aren't waiting in line for the restroom, you probably aren't drinking enough water.

So, what am I packing?  I'm taking eye drops.  And chapstick.  And hand lotion.  And, of course a jacket, or sweater, or shawl, for those air-conditioned rooms. 

After those necessities, I've started getting together all of my power cords, charging devices, and electronic things that I'll need during the week.  Do I need an extension cord for length or in order to plug in more than one charger in the ONLY accessible electrical outlet in my room? 

Now, on to the conference stuff.  My syllabus pages.  My "homework" for Tuesday's class.  Business cards, printed up at home, to make it easier to share my contact info.  Pen/pencil and notepad for taking notes during sessions;  or for making notes about people I meet.  An old conference tote (that I modified) that I may or may not use.  (I like one that has handles long enough to put over my shoulder.)  Then what about a lanyard?  Do you have one with a separate pocket for your room key that you like to use?  While I appreciate the items that the conference sponsors provide, sometimes older is better.  But then, sometimes newer is better.  So, thank you conference sponsors. 

Oh, yes.  Comfortable shoes, because I'm sure I'll be walking a lot, including around the Exhibitor Hall.  And...Clothes.  Well, I can fit some in.  I don't want to be arrested for indecent exposure in Las Vegas.  Las Vegas?  Well.  Hope to see you there. 

Why Genealogy Conferences?

Tina Lyons asked this question of Ambassadors to the FGS conference that will be held in August in Fort Wayne, Indiana. 

Unfortunately I'm unable to attend FGS this year but I am going to two other conferences.  I'll be at NGS (next week)  and Jamboree (next month).   So, why do I go?  I go

1)  To learn.  I consider myself an intermediate researcher, but I have numerous "brick walls."  And I'm not comfortable with some types of records.  So I go to attend sessions to help me with the "gaps" I feel I have.  And I've been know to attend 3 sessions during 2 conferences on the same or similar topic because I want to get different perspectives.

2)  To find out what's new.  The exhibit/vendor hall is an important part of my conference experience.  Where else can I learn about what's new?  And I can ask questions about what it does, how it works, what I can gain from using it, etc.  Reading blogs is another way I learn about what's new, so I look forward to reading other's blogs to see what they have learned.  Because I definitely don't always know the "right" questions to ask.

3)  To buy books, CDs, DVDs,  postcards and stuff.  I have to set a budget, but this is the place where I can touch and look through books to see if they have info that I want.  (I really have trouble buying books without touching them first.)  The CDs and DVDs are for my continuing education.  Postcards and other stuff help me add interest to my writing.  (And I really don't like to shop.  But this is different!!)

4)  To be around others who have a passion for genealogy.  I've met great people.  But I haven't been very good at getting the meeting into the start of a long-term relationship.  I'm not really a "party" person, and I don't function well staying up late.  Because I attend sessions almost every time period, I'm not networking.  This is something I really want to get better at.

5)  To return home energized.  Oh, I'm often so tired when I get home.  My mind is on overload with all of the new information.  I have these new ideas, new techniques to try, new web sites to look at, etc.  BUT, I also have so many ideas to help me with my research and my writing.  Too bad that life still interferes with genealogy once I return.

So why are you going?  Or why aren't you?  Hope to see you in a session or in the exhibit hall.  Please say Hi.

Tuesday's Tip - Backup, Backup, Backup

I know you’ve heard this before.  You’ve read this before.  Perhaps you have even written about it.  However, are we following our own advice and the advice of our friends?  (I know I haven't been as conscientious as I probably should.)

Many of our friends and neighbors have survived tornados, hurricanes, forest fires and floods.  Every day some of them have fires in their homes.  Some of them have insurance and can rebuild.  That’s the physical building.   But how do you replace the memories, heirlooms, photographs, school papers, certificates, passports, etc, etc, etc.  We never know when the natural or man-made disaster may meet our files. 

There are so many ways to backup now.  We aren’t limited to an external hard drive or making a CD copy of our files and sending it to a friend or taking it to our Safe Deposit box.  So, are we following our own advice? 

So, backup regularly and especially every time before you leave home with your computer. 

Tuesday Tips - Spring Cleaning

Taxes are finished (a day early).  This morning I cleaned out email inboxes (YES, boxes).  Then, I also cleaned out the "sent" files.  AND, then I emptied my Recycle Bin. 

I still have many files, copies of old emails, etc. that need to be tossed.  I know, or at least I've heard, that you should only handle each piece of paper once.  But I just can't seem to do that.  But I found a way that works for me.  I take a stack of papers, about 4 inches, and sort it into piles.  Your piles would probably be different than mine, but mine are quilting, tatting, knitting/crocheting, recipes, exercise/health ideas, and then my genealogy files (2 or 3, depending).  Of course, I also generally throw out at least 1/3 of the pile. 

What do I do with each stack?  Well, I put many of the papers into their own folders, just as they were meant to be.  Other papers (those that may need a little more sorting) I put into pocket file folders.  When I've worked through more papers, then I sort through each of these pocket folders and actually file these where they belong, or make new files if necessary.  This method works for me.  Perhaps it's not the most efficient, but I'm reducing the stacks; cleaning up the drawers; and I'm able to find what I want.  Even having a shorter "pile" of papers, or papers actually in a pocket folder, makes what I'm looking for easier to find.

I'm just presenting this method in case it helps you discover your own.

Good luck to you and your efforts.