No, it may not be starting today where you are. But in some parts of the country teachers are already back in the classrooms. And students are starting this week or next or started last week or even two weeks ago.
I'm a grandmother, so why does this matter to me? I think of the NEW year as the beginning of school, not in January. I start planning activities for the coming year in August and September, and sometimes in July.
So what are you thinking of doing in the next year to help you improve your researching techniques? Dates have been set for many national and regional conferences, institutes and seminars. I have a 2014 calendar that I printed off the internet that I have marked up. No, I'm not going to be able to attend everything I list on this calendar, but at least I have the dates in one place. Check web sites for activities you may be interested in or that are near you. AND... Don't forget your local genealogical and/or historical society meetings. Put them on your calendar also.
SO..... What's on my calendar right now?
Jan 13-17 - SLIG - Salt Lake City, UT
Jan 17-18 - Mesa Family History Expo, Mesa, AZ
Jan 25 - Pinal County Genealogy Workshop, Casa Grande, AZ
Feb 6-8 - RootsTech - Salt Lake City
Mar ?? - FHSA Seminar, Phoenix, AZ (Day not set but it's always in March)
Mar 24-26 - Forensic Genealogy Institute, Dallas, TX
Mar 27-29 - Advanced Forensic Evidence Analysis, Dallas, TX
May 7-10 - NGS, Richmond, VA
Jun ?? - SCGS Jamboree, Burbank, CA
Jun 8-13 - IGHR, Samford University, AL
Jul ?? - GRIP, Pittsburgh, PA - At least I hope it will be offered again
Aug 27-30 - FGS, San Antonio, TX
I know I've missed many. But make your own list and circle the dates on a 2014 calendar. This way you can plan for your continuing education in the 2013-2014 "school year."
Monday, August 26, 2013
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Sunday's Obituary - Glenn C Blackmore (1917-2013)
Glenn spent his working
career as a tool and die maker in the plastics industry. He was quite upset that he was not allowed to
serve in WWII. When he tried to enlist, the
US government sent him right back to work at Cannon Electric to make tooling
and molds for aircraft canopies and other parts. In the 1950s, 60s and 70s, if you bought a
plastic pipe fitting, chances were very good that Glenn Blackmore made or
designed the mold to manufacture those fittings.
In his “early” retirement
years, Glenn was deeply involved in the Silver Lakes community where he served
as a volunteer with the environmental control committee and was also known as
Captain Blackmore as he fished in the lakes, often with grandchildren. He was a great dance partner, whether it was
square dancing, ballroom dancing, line dancing, or any other form of
dancing.
Glenn spent some time each
week keeping in touch with family members, sending birthday and anniversary
cards, writing letters, as well as communicating by email. Glenn was a member of the Victorville United
Methodist Church. He often attended Friday
SWIM meetings and luncheons as well as the monthly Voyager luncheons at Church
of the Valley. Glenn was known to many close
friends and family as the original “Cookie Monster,” a title he proudly
acknowledged.
His love and caring for
family and friends will be greatly missed.
A Celebration of Life service
is scheduled for Wednesday, August 14, 2013, at 11 am at the Victorville United
Methodist Church, Victorville, California.
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Shopping Saturday - NOT genealogy
This post is not about ancestor genealogy but about current family history. And comparing.
Yesterday, my wonderfully-patient husband took four grandchildren, ages 15, 9, 8, and 6 (last one a girl), our son and daughter-in-law POWER SHOPPING. In two hours we found jeans/pants, shirts, socks, underwear, shoes and backpacks for all four. Then lunch at Ritchie's Diner (a Riverside, California small restaurant group) and then on for school supplies. School starts Monday in this rural town in Southern California.
Now, can you imagine trying to get clothes for four children 100 years ago or even 40 years ago? In my family, (in the 1950s-1960s) each girl had one "store-bought" dress each year and new underwear and socks. Shoes were dependent upon whether we needed them at that moment or not. My brothers had store-bought "slacks", underwear and socks. (Boys didn't wear jeans or t-shirts to school then.) Everything else was sewn at home. Since I was the eldest, my mother and I sewed a lot during the summer (when we weren't canning from the fruit trees in our back yard.) We didn't live in a rural area, but we just had a large back yard with 35-40 different fruit trees.
Back to the original topic. Last night, before I fell asleep, I just started thinking that while the trip was somewhat "stressful" if that's the right word, getting clothes for the kids was done quickly, and fairly easily. It took two hours, not all summer. Is one better? Who knows? But I have good memories of both.
Yesterday, my wonderfully-patient husband took four grandchildren, ages 15, 9, 8, and 6 (last one a girl), our son and daughter-in-law POWER SHOPPING. In two hours we found jeans/pants, shirts, socks, underwear, shoes and backpacks for all four. Then lunch at Ritchie's Diner (a Riverside, California small restaurant group) and then on for school supplies. School starts Monday in this rural town in Southern California.
Now, can you imagine trying to get clothes for four children 100 years ago or even 40 years ago? In my family, (in the 1950s-1960s) each girl had one "store-bought" dress each year and new underwear and socks. Shoes were dependent upon whether we needed them at that moment or not. My brothers had store-bought "slacks", underwear and socks. (Boys didn't wear jeans or t-shirts to school then.) Everything else was sewn at home. Since I was the eldest, my mother and I sewed a lot during the summer (when we weren't canning from the fruit trees in our back yard.) We didn't live in a rural area, but we just had a large back yard with 35-40 different fruit trees.
Back to the original topic. Last night, before I fell asleep, I just started thinking that while the trip was somewhat "stressful" if that's the right word, getting clothes for the kids was done quickly, and fairly easily. It took two hours, not all summer. Is one better? Who knows? But I have good memories of both.
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Sorting Saturday - File Cabinets with Bookcases
Perhaps you’ve done this also, but I found a way to make
better use of my wall space. I bought
some new 2-drawer file cabinets (25 inches deep). They are about 30 inches tall. I put three of them together: 45 inches wide now. On top of them I added a 48 inch tall
bookshelf.
Now I have 6 file drawers with over 12 feet of shelf space
on top. Between the second and third
file cabinets is a folding step stool for the times I need to reach the top
shelves.
At the far end is a floor to ceiling bookcase with some drawers built in the bottom for miscellaneous sewing supplies. Since the photo, I've added a couple of woven baskets on the shelves for items that need to be "contained."
Right now, one of the drawers is EMPTY. Can you believe it?
Hopefully this idea will help you with your organizing.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
GRIP 2013 - Looking back
I'm back in HOT Arizona. That's OK. And I'm unpacked. That's GOOD. I woke up on EDT (not PDT or MST). That's NOT GOOD.
So I was writing research questions when I woke. I was trying not to make assumptions. All of you in the GPS class understand what I'm saying. So, I was writing a question, "When did C Y Trice marry Luna Estelle Drake?" But is there an assumption here? That they did marry? I know they had children. I know that CY seemed to have a good relationship with Luna's father. So, I assumed (there's that word again) that they did marry. And then I asked myself the question, "Does it matter?" (Tom Jones's voice said that.) I think it does matter, especially if I start to fill out lineage society applications. Well, all of that will be looked at in the future; definitely not before about the 20th of August.
Now looking back at GRIP 2013.
The weather was a nice change for me even if it was too wet some evenings to walk. I definitely LOVED the mornings, and drinking hot coffee not iced.
Except for minor computer problems and the fact that I couldn't keep the sheet tucked in, I was quite comfortable in my room. Even if I have to leave out a shirt or two, I'm going to bring a fitted sheet next year. So you may see me in the same shirt numerous times. Yes, I know. I could bring an extra suitcase, but I prefer to travel light. This year I had my computer case, a small purse, and a suitcase that was checked.
I loved the salad bar in the cafeteria. Also I found the cooked vegetables good. Of course the best part of meals was visiting with other researchers. For some reason, though, I never seemed to sit with anyone who was in Paula's class. And I certainly enjoyed her class last year.
I still can't decide which class to take next year. Fortunately registration is not until February. For those of you who want more information, visit the GRIP web site at http://www.gripitt.org/. All of the information will be posted soon.
I want to especially thank Elissa and Debbie for all of their efforts. Of course I want to say thank you to the instructors and the evening lecturers who were great. And then a thank you to all of you who attended, whether I was in class with you or not; whether I sat at a table with you during meals or not. Without all of you, GRIP wouldn't have been any fun. And it may not have even existed.
So Thank You!!!!.
So I was writing research questions when I woke. I was trying not to make assumptions. All of you in the GPS class understand what I'm saying. So, I was writing a question, "When did C Y Trice marry Luna Estelle Drake?" But is there an assumption here? That they did marry? I know they had children. I know that CY seemed to have a good relationship with Luna's father. So, I assumed (there's that word again) that they did marry. And then I asked myself the question, "Does it matter?" (Tom Jones's voice said that.) I think it does matter, especially if I start to fill out lineage society applications. Well, all of that will be looked at in the future; definitely not before about the 20th of August.
Now looking back at GRIP 2013.
The weather was a nice change for me even if it was too wet some evenings to walk. I definitely LOVED the mornings, and drinking hot coffee not iced.
Except for minor computer problems and the fact that I couldn't keep the sheet tucked in, I was quite comfortable in my room. Even if I have to leave out a shirt or two, I'm going to bring a fitted sheet next year. So you may see me in the same shirt numerous times. Yes, I know. I could bring an extra suitcase, but I prefer to travel light. This year I had my computer case, a small purse, and a suitcase that was checked.
I loved the salad bar in the cafeteria. Also I found the cooked vegetables good. Of course the best part of meals was visiting with other researchers. For some reason, though, I never seemed to sit with anyone who was in Paula's class. And I certainly enjoyed her class last year.
I still can't decide which class to take next year. Fortunately registration is not until February. For those of you who want more information, visit the GRIP web site at http://www.gripitt.org/. All of the information will be posted soon.
I want to especially thank Elissa and Debbie for all of their efforts. Of course I want to say thank you to the instructors and the evening lecturers who were great. And then a thank you to all of you who attended, whether I was in class with you or not; whether I sat at a table with you during meals or not. Without all of you, GRIP wouldn't have been any fun. And it may not have even existed.
So Thank You!!!!.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
GRIP 2013 - Thursday night
Tonight's the last night. And only a half day tomorrow.
I "checked in" for my flight; checked my shuttle reservations. I need to think about packing, but that shouldn't take too long. I didn't buy too much this trip, so I don't have to figure out how to get everything home without paying for excess weight. That's good.
Let's start with the end of the day. After class ended Kristen and I sat in the class room and just talked for over an hour. Then we went to dinner and talked with Sara and Tina with Connie joining in for awhile. I left a little after 6 to make sure I didn't miss any books I couldn't live without. And I skipped the chocolate cookies that I couldn't resist last night. Kristen, Sara and Tina sat and talked until they had to leave the cafeteria.
We all heard Michael Hait talk about probate records. Thank you Michael for filling in. Inventories are really the best way to really get to know a family who lived in the past. What did they think was important enough to spend money on, or to make or to keep? I really like the inventory book and the interesting items listed in it. Unfortunately, I've just looked through it since I haven't found any inventories during the past year. But this next year is going to be different. Right?!!!
We finished citations this morning and moved on to assessing information. The exercises were good but I would have liked to have another one or two because I realized that I wasn't getting all of the clues from the info presented. After lunch we moved on to gathering the evidence and resolving the conflicts, if there are any. With only two sessions tomorrow morning, I know we'll be busy. And some of the good-byes are going to be difficult. But I hope to see you in Pittsburgh about one year from now.
I "checked in" for my flight; checked my shuttle reservations. I need to think about packing, but that shouldn't take too long. I didn't buy too much this trip, so I don't have to figure out how to get everything home without paying for excess weight. That's good.
Let's start with the end of the day. After class ended Kristen and I sat in the class room and just talked for over an hour. Then we went to dinner and talked with Sara and Tina with Connie joining in for awhile. I left a little after 6 to make sure I didn't miss any books I couldn't live without. And I skipped the chocolate cookies that I couldn't resist last night. Kristen, Sara and Tina sat and talked until they had to leave the cafeteria.
We all heard Michael Hait talk about probate records. Thank you Michael for filling in. Inventories are really the best way to really get to know a family who lived in the past. What did they think was important enough to spend money on, or to make or to keep? I really like the inventory book and the interesting items listed in it. Unfortunately, I've just looked through it since I haven't found any inventories during the past year. But this next year is going to be different. Right?!!!
We finished citations this morning and moved on to assessing information. The exercises were good but I would have liked to have another one or two because I realized that I wasn't getting all of the clues from the info presented. After lunch we moved on to gathering the evidence and resolving the conflicts, if there are any. With only two sessions tomorrow morning, I know we'll be busy. And some of the good-byes are going to be difficult. But I hope to see you in Pittsburgh about one year from now.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
GRIP 2013 - Wednesday night
In class today we moved on to citations. We'll be finishing them tomorrow. This was after the topic of "reasonably exhaustive research." I'm sure you can imagine the discussion on that topic. After all, how do you know when enough is enough? And, no, it's not some magic number.
There are four couples attending GRIP this year. They even were recognized in our daily newsletter. It would be great to have my husband here, but he has his hobbies (and I definitely support them) because he encourages and supports mine (basically genealogy, quilting and reading.) And while I'd love to have him here, I don't know that I would have really had a chance to get to know Pam, and Kristen, and Hugh, and all of the other wonderful students here at GRIP.
Because there was no talk speaker scheduled for tonight, a few groups went to the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh to research. Others are wandering around this beautiful campus. The weather is beautiful tonight with blue skies and some clouds. And not too hot or humid. It's really nice. Then some of the other students were talking about working on their class projects. So lots still going on.
I started thinking about GRIP 2014 already. I haven't found anything yet that I needed that I didn't bring this year. But next year, I think I'm going to see if I can fit in a fitted twin sheet. Those flat sheets just don't stay tucked in all night. Everything else is working fine in my room. I originally had a problem with the blinds, but those were efficiently fixed. So, now to decide which class to take next year and then get on the computer and hope that not everyone else wants the same class I decide to take.
One more full day of classes. The topic for tomorrow night's talk is Divorce records. Then a half day on Friday, and time for the shuttle to the airport.
I'll check in tomorrow night. Have a great day tomorrow.
There are four couples attending GRIP this year. They even were recognized in our daily newsletter. It would be great to have my husband here, but he has his hobbies (and I definitely support them) because he encourages and supports mine (basically genealogy, quilting and reading.) And while I'd love to have him here, I don't know that I would have really had a chance to get to know Pam, and Kristen, and Hugh, and all of the other wonderful students here at GRIP.
Because there was no talk speaker scheduled for tonight, a few groups went to the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh to research. Others are wandering around this beautiful campus. The weather is beautiful tonight with blue skies and some clouds. And not too hot or humid. It's really nice. Then some of the other students were talking about working on their class projects. So lots still going on.
I started thinking about GRIP 2014 already. I haven't found anything yet that I needed that I didn't bring this year. But next year, I think I'm going to see if I can fit in a fitted twin sheet. Those flat sheets just don't stay tucked in all night. Everything else is working fine in my room. I originally had a problem with the blinds, but those were efficiently fixed. So, now to decide which class to take next year and then get on the computer and hope that not everyone else wants the same class I decide to take.
One more full day of classes. The topic for tomorrow night's talk is Divorce records. Then a half day on Friday, and time for the shuttle to the airport.
I'll check in tomorrow night. Have a great day tomorrow.
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