GRIP - Tuesday evening

First I need to talk about last night's "extra" session.  Pam Stone Eagleson spoke for about an hour about writing.  WOW!!!  I had an opportunity to talk with her at breakfast today and told her that she made the process seem simple but not easy.  The basic steps are simple enough for each of us to follow.  The difficult part is going to research, after the family facts research, that is necessary to make an interesting narrative.  I still need to do a little more fact research before I think about writing.  Of course, I need to do a lot more other research also. 

Well, Maia's books to the rescue.  Martha set up books for us just outside the cafeteria.  She had so many different types, but there were a few that are going to give me some historical perspective.  I know I have a few at home also, that I haven't read yet.  Now I have more motivation.  So I just have to find the time.

Now on to today, Tuesday's sessions.  Our Intermediate class began at 8:30 with Paula walking us through citations.  Yes, we all have some experience with them, but we had some good discussions about how to handle unusual situations.  I haven't been very diligent about recording when I accessed a record, particularly an online one.  Paula, and others, explained why this is important.  I'm definitely going to be more careful with this; and with my software program, it's really not that hard.  I've just been "neglecting" that box, thinking that it wasn't really that important.  I'm not going to any more.

The next morning session, Josh Taylor came in and gave us great information about JSTOR.  I had never heard of it and I need to work with it a lot more before I understand it, but it's a great resource for academic writings on 55 (I think Josh said) different topics.  Most of us in the class were able to acccess JSTOR through the LaRoche College library site.  Lucky us.  There are a few places in Arizona that have JSTOR.  I just need to find out which ones and see if there are any I can access remotely also.  (I love researching "after hours".)  

Original Manuscripts was Paula's first session after lunch.  Oh, I hope I can find some great things my ancestors left.  I'm lucky to have some, but it's really amazing what is available and at so many different repositories.  Manuscripts regarding mid-American ancestors are at repositories from the University of Virginia to Bancroft Library at the University of California and many places in between.  A major point I learned is to not limit my search of documents to just the locations where I thought my ancestors lived.  Original manuscripts can be anywhere AND since they are one of a kind, we can't just find them locally.

Last for today was Paula talking about Government Records.  I must admit that I was really brain-tired by 3:30, so I didn't process as much information as I would have liked.  But with the syllabus and my notes, and some rest, I'm sure I will be able to research some of the wide variety of records that the federal government keeps and has stored in repositories all over the country.  I did remember that we need to look at libraries/repositories that are not just NARA facilities.  Many university libraries, as well as perhaps a few others, are federal repositories, so these places also have records that we may be able to access.  Great information  but I'm going to have to do some good searching  before I use these. 

I have a little homework for tonight, and I'll see if I can get the timeline with surnames done.  It feels funny not being able to do it all online and then just printing out a copy.  Oh, well.  (Should I try to bring a printer with me next year?)  I'll have to think about it.

GRIP - Monday evening

First day almost over.  The first 2 sessions this morning were really analyzing records, and what we could find out about just one will.  I had a few ideas, but the amount of information some members of the class discovered lets me know that I'm going to get a great amount of help just from class members.  Of course Paula Stuart-Warren was great in leading the discussions and keeping us "on task".  I took this class because I knew I needed to improve my research skills.  And I already think I have.  Can't wait for the rest of the week.  And that was just the morning.

After lunch Josh Taylor came in and talked to us about compiled genealogies and what we can gain from them.  Now I just need to find some that were written about one of my surnames.  Unfortunately, I haven't found any yet, but I have great hope.  Even if you don't have a genealogy written about your family, Josh gave so many different places to search; again things I had never thought of.

Then, last session today, was again by Paula.  She gave us 100s of ideas for substitutes for vital records.  Yes, it will take us more time if we can't find some direct evidence with specific facts, but information is out there.  And we just have many more places to look.

One special part of today was at 4 pm.  We had a genealogy problem from one of our class members.  We spent time reading the statement and coming up with ideas to help him find this elusive ancestor.  (And don't we all have them?)  Anyway, gain the knowledge and ideas that the class members came up with were fantastic.  Now I just hope that the problem I submitted can be used some night.  Hope! Hope! 

Today was a great example of why we shouldn't do genealogy alone. 

In about an hour we'll have a special program.  Pam Stone Eagleson will be speaking on "Telling the Tales:  Writing Your Family Narrative."  Then, I'll be off to my room to spend a little time on the computer trying to find out more information about Louise Post, husband of Philip Post, whose will we read and studied this morning. 

GRIPitt - Sunday night

Today, we checked into the LaRoche College dorms.  I'm not sure how many of us are at the First Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh, GRIP for short.  The rooms are basic dorm rooms but different than when I was in college (eons ago).  Then we had two people to a room, with about 14 rooms sharing one down-the-hall bathroom.  These rooms all have private baths.  WOW!!  AND they come with a small microwave and refrigerator.  (Since I flew, I didn't bring snacks, but what a treat for those who drove and could pack snacks.)

While I brought an ethernet cable, as required for internet use in the dorm room, the router, etc. weren't hooked up.  And, I didn't know how to connect everything.  Well, Jess and Marissa came to the rescue.  Thank you ladies.  Otherwise, there would be no posting tonight.

After dinner in in the cafeteria (where it was LOUD) with so many genealogists all have a great time, we had our welcome and introduction.  And a special announcement.  Next year's dates are already set (July 22-26) and there will be SIX (6) classes, not four as this year.  Isn't that great!  Ican hardly wait to see the brochure and find out what my options will be.  Of course, I think I'm going to suggest that everyone here this year gets first choice next year.  OR, everyone in the Intermediate Genealogy course automatically gets moved to the Advanced, if they want to.  Now wouldn't that be great?!!! At least for a few of us.  Oh, well.  Wishful thinking. 

But the campus is beautiful with some hills, but not too much slope for me and my legs. I'm used to walking on flat, flat ground (Phoenix area, if you didn't know).  It is a little more humid, so perhaps I'll try walking in the morning.

Breakfast is 7:30 to 8:30 and classes start at 8:30.  It's going to be interesting to see how we all get through the cafeteria line finish eating in only an hour.  But we'll see.  Perhaps some of the group won't be eating breakfast.  Then, on two days, I think Wednesday and Thursday, one of the classes starts at 8:15, not 8:30.  So those students are really going to have to be on time if they want to eat.

I'll try to write tomorrow night.  I'm going to be writing primarily for me, so that I can better remember this week, but I hope you will also enjoy the stories and information. 

Surname Saturday - Poe, Sharon and Sandra

I believe that Sharon and Sandra Poe were born about 1938-1939 in the Reno area of Nevada.  I believe their mother was Marian.  I found a few articles in online newspapers, but nothing mentions their parents.  I am hoping to find them to help me with my research on the Poe family.

GRIP - Pittsburgh - Some openings - 10 days to go

I haven't been posting about the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh, but I'm very excited about going.  I leave 10 days from today and fly into Pittsburgh.  I'll have one night in a hotel before moving into the dorm on Sunday.  I'm nervous because I've never been to an institute before, and excited about meeting other researchers and the great organizers and instructors.  And, of course, I'm looking forward to all of the new information I'll have to help me with my research in the future.  

While I don't know if I'll have time to post during the Institute, I'll keep notes so that if any of you are interested in attending next year, I may be able to answer questions.  Because a few students had to cancel at the last minute, as of this minute, the GRIPitt site says that there are two seats available in Intermediate Genealogy, one seat in German Research and four in Problem Solving with Online Repositories.  Look at the web page for more information: http://www.gripitt.org/

Hope to see you in Pittsburgh.

Tuesday's Tips - Census Records - Instructions?

I just recently discovered a wonderful blog (web site) by Elizabeth Shown Mills.  https://www.evidenceexplained.com/  Quick Lesson 9 was about instructions.  Yes, instructions for enumerators and ESM gave a great example of how an enumerator gave "additional" information on a census record that could benefit us if we carefully read the directions.  In fact, though, the "additional" information was in the enumerator instructions that many of us don't read.

Thank you, ESM.  I would now like to apply your suggestions regarding reading instructions to the current indexing projects, particularly the 1940 census records, on familysearch.  Some indexers (and arbitrators) really want to make corrections to the census record when they index, like spelling a name "correctly" or adding county and state if "same place" or "same house" is listed.  As an arbitrator, I am also trying to help researchers, but unfortunately I feel I must read (and follow) the instructions provided even though sometimes I would also like to make changes. 

This reminder to read instructions is going to be valuable to me in my future research, just as finding out WHY a record was made has helped me analyze the information in a document.  Thank you again. 

Smashed Goal!! Indexing and Arbitrating

Congratulations to all of you who Indexed or Arbitrated.  We smashed the goal!!

It was a great day.  Now I need to get back to some normal chores.  It's going to be exciting to see all of the new indexed records coming online because of our efforts.