Sunday, January 29, 2012

52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy: Week 5- Life Experiences


Life Experiences: Sometimes the challenges in life provide the best learning experiences. Can you find an example of this in your own family tree? Which brick wall ancestor are you most thankful for, and how did that person shape your family history experience?

My third great grandfather was born to a coal miner in Scotland.  He somehow managed to bring his wife and children to the United States where he worked his whole life as a coal miner.  He could have done that in Scotland, but I like to give him a back story and pretend that he has psychic abilities and could see into the future.  “If I go to America, my third great granddaughter will not be a coal miner or married to a coal miner.  She will sit in her cushy chair at her office job while her husband takes care of my fourth great grandchildren.  They will have an amazing life.  If only I save up and get my wife and children to America.”

And he did.

And my life has been amazing.

Thank you, Great, Great, Great Grandfather Thomas Connor.  I really am humbled by all you did for your family.  Even if you didn't know why through all your trials and tribulations.

***
52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy by Amy Coffin is a series of weekly blogging prompts (one for each week of 2012) that invite genealogists and others to discuss resources in the genealogy community including websites, applications, libraries, archives, genealogical societies and more. You do not have to be a blogger to participate. If you do not have a genealogy blog, write down your thoughts on your computer, or simply record them on paper and keep them with your files.

Friday, January 27, 2012

52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy: Week 4- Free Offline Tools


Free OFFLINE Genealogy Tools: For which free offline genealogy tool are you most grateful? How did you find this tool and how has it benefitted your genealogy? Describe to others how to access this tool and spread the genealogy love.

My favorite offline tools are libraries.  The Livermore-Amador Genealogical Society (L-AGS) has a fantastic collection housed in the Pleasanton Library.  A L-AGS docent is on duty at the library on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. to help with research and the collection.

My local library has a nice collection of general genealogy books as well as a great atmosphere to work in.  

And then the California GenealogicalSociety’s library is amazing.  Great atmosphere to work in, great collections, and great staff.

***
52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy by Amy Coffin is a series of weekly blogging prompts (one for each week of 2012) that invite genealogists and others to discuss resources in the genealogy community including websites, applications, libraries, archives, genealogical societies and more. You do not have to be a blogger to participate. If you do not have a genealogy blog, write down your thoughts on your computer, or simply record them on paper and keep them with your files.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Let's Hear it for Local Societies!

Last night was the board meeting, which I attend because I pick up ideas for the eBulletin.  The upcoming meetings were announced and I can't tell you how exciting they are!  I can go IN MY OWN TOWN to see these awesome presentations!  For FREE!  If you are local (or even Kindof Local), please make sure to attend.  And say hello.  I'll be the one with stars in my eyes.

Livermore-Amador Genealogical Society upcoming meetings:


Date
Topic
Presenter
February 14, 2012
How to Use the NEHGS Website
Lisa B. Lee
March 13, 2012
Researching the Valley Pioneer Martin and Related Families
Julie Mooney
April 10, 2012
Getting Ready for the 1940 Census
Steve Morse
May 8, 2012
Historyalogy
David Stevenson
June 12, 2012
Putting the Flesh on the Bones
Ron Arons

Saturday, January 21, 2012

This is Not a Joke

How long does it take an anal-retentive genealogist to put some pictures in a cute family tree frame she got for Christmas?   
Answer:  11 hours and 50 minutes. 

  1. Count how many pictures will fit.  Ten small and ten large total.  Okay.  No problem.  But they don’t have the real flow of an actual family tree.  Ponder this and make several maps of how to make this work.- 1 hour.
  2. Decide to just make a list of the cool pictures that COULD be in the tree.  While looking through these, notice that you actually do have a picture of 3rd great grampa Henry and that it needs to go in the book.  You know, the one where you have long since finished the chapter on Henry?  Yes, that one.  Well, now that chapter has to be refigured because of the picture insert.  Do this.  Notice that the picture also includes his brother Louis (who you knew about) and his brother Herman (who you had never heard of).  Research Herman.  6 hours and 16 minutes.
  3. Finish the list of cool pictures.  The list now includes 927 pictures.  Recall that you can have ten small and ten large.  Throw cool picture list away.  Then dig it back out because, really, you spent all that time on it…  57 minutes.
  4. Get a fresh piece of paper and decide to make a map of where the pictures are on the cool family tree gift you got.  5 minutes.
  5. Plot out grandparents (4 pictures).  Then great grandparents (8 more pictures).  Then great great grandparents (16 more pictures).  Then remember husband has ancestors, too.  Throw the list away.  5 minutes.
  6. Finally decide on the pictures.  Plot them out. Several times.  3 hours and 12 minutes.
  7. Re-size and print the pictures.  Cut them out and frame them.  15 minutes.




Friday, January 20, 2012

52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy: Week 3- Free Online Tools

Free Online Genealogy Tools: Free online genealogy tools are like gifts from above. Which one are you most thankful for? How has it helped your family history experience?


My favorite free genealogy tools are the following:
Chronicling America- http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ 

My go-tos of love…

***
52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy by Amy Coffin is a series of weekly blogging prompts (one for each week of 2012) that invite genealogists and others to discuss resources in the genealogy community including websites, applications, libraries, archives, genealogical societies and more. You do not have to be a blogger to participate. If you do not have a genealogy blog, write down your thoughts on your computer, or simply record them on paper and keep them with your files.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Thankful Thursday- Renouncing the Thrown

Over the summer, when I visited my grandfather, he pulled out a large manila envelope, with “Family Papers” written on the outside of it.  “Do you want any of this stuff?” he said.  And “Stuff” was said like “Junk”.

Inside were birth certificates, death certificates and burial records for his parents and grandparents.  And this, my grandfather’s great grandfather’s citizenship paper.  So I’m thankful for my grandpa, for his “stuff,” and for his great grandfather making the long trip to America and becoming a citizen.



Saturday, January 14, 2012

Am I a Genealogist?

I rarely call myself a genealogist and when I do, I cringe on the inside and am sure someone will smack me or hang a scarlet letter “F” for fraud around my neck. 

I “do genealogy” just fine.  I “study my family history” with no problem. But whenever I have to use the word, “Genealogist” in conjunction with myself, it doesn’t feel right. 

I never really thought about it too much and just avoided that word until the hoopla around the interweb happened and that made me think that of course everyone is talking about me, right?

“Did you hear that Debbie once said that she was a genealogist?  (And did you see that weird face she made when she said it?  What *was* THAT??)  How can she be a genealogist when she doesn’t do this all day?  She doesn’t even do this every day.  She works full time doing something totally not even related to family or history and her children take up most of the rest of her time!  She doesn’t even own her own copy of Evidence Explained.  Can you freaking believe the gall of that woman to call herself a, ‘genealogist’!”

That’s what you all were saying, huh?  I knew it.

So here is the thing.  Really and truly, genealogy is my hobby.  I do it for fun and when I can.  I took a 7-year break from it altogether when small beings sucked out my brain cells I had my children.  I work outside the home.  I homeschool.  I have a book club.  I have playgroups and karate and scrapbooking and traveling to places not related to family history.  So how in the world can I be a “genealogist”?

Because of our homeschool and our love of watching cool things, we do a lot of science experiments around our house.  You can find homemade trebuchets and camera obscuras lying around next to the magnet kits and the create your own zombie candy kits.  But does that make us “scientists”? 

If you have a garden in the back, are you a “horticulturalist”?  If you mix up smelly crap for your bath, are you an “aromatherapist”?  If you go on a bike ride with your family, are you a “bicyclist”?

I had figured that to be an “ist” you had to be trained in it somehow.  Some classes or experience.  If you toss together a vase of flowers, are you a florist.  No, you likely need some classes, right?  If you pound out Chopsticks on the piano, are you a “pianist”?  No, you need some experience, don’t you?  So who decides how much experience or how many classes you need before you can be an “ist”?

Some “ists” need a certification or degree (think: “cosmetologist” or “dentist”- just because I trim my bangs or yank out my kid’s disgusting dangling tooth doesn’t mean I’m either of these things).  But again, not every “ist” needs these things. 

That’s the moment I realized that I should really look up what “ist” means.  According to Merriam-Webster, “ist” is a suffix and it means:

1 a : one that performs a (specified) action <cyclist> : …

2: one that specializes in a (specified) art or science or skill <geologist> <ventriloquist>

3: one that adheres to or advocates a (specified) doctrine or system or code of behavior <socialist> <royalist> <hedonist> or that of a (specified) individual <Calvinist> <Darwinist>

Does my hobby fit into definition 1 (“one that performs a specified action”).  Genealogy is the study of genes and family lines.  I do this.  Check. 

Does my hobby fit into definition 2 (“one that specializes in a specified art or science or skill”)?  In order to determine this one, I decided to look up, “specializes” and again, Merriam-Webster gave me this, “to concentrate one's efforts in a special activity, field, or practice.  I think that being a member of several genealogical societies and volunteering for two, writing a blog, writing a couple of books, taking several (hundred) classes, attending local genealogy events, reading every book I can get my hands on, etc. all count as “concentrating.”  Well, golly jeepers.  I specialize!  Check.

Does my hobby fit into definition 3 (“one that adheres to or advocates a specified doctrine or system or code of behavior”)?  First of all, I don’t think this definition applies, as genealogy isn’t any one form of dogma or doctrine.  But putting that aside, I think genealogy has so many different doctrines and systems that to subscribe to and advocate just one may be putting yourself at a disadvantage.  I try to stay open to different, new systems and ideas, so that I can take a little from each and make something work for me.  But I do have systems that work for me, so I do fit the definition technically.  And from being around you genealogists, I know you have a code of behavior (is there a nicer, more helpful group of “ists” in the universe?!?!  I don’t think so…).  I try to uphold that, too.

I also looked up the word, “Dentist,” to see if has some special wording about licensing and it does (“one who is skilled in and licensed to practice the…”).  But you know what doesn’t?  Genealogist.  “A person who traces or studies the descent of persons or families.” 

Should Merriam-Websters be formally modified?  I would fully support that.  Dentists have been around since 7000 BC, using creepy tools like these:




Despite being practice for thousands of years, Wikipedia tells me that the first dental school with licensing didn’t pop up until 1840 (“OMG, she even quotes Wikipedia!”).  So for a time, if there were a Merriam-Websters, it wouldn’t have listed “licensed” under dentist.

But until the definition changes, even though I think this does a disservice to those of you who are professional, certified and/or really awesome genealogists, I must continue to use my rudimentary, creepy researching tools and say it…

I AM A GENEALOGIST! HEAR ME ROAR!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy: Week 2 – Paid Genealogy Tools

52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy: Week 2 – Paid Genealogy Tools

Week 2 – Paid Genealogy Tools: Which paid genealogy tool do you appreciate the most? What special features put it at the top of your list? How can it help others with their genealogy research?

Ancestry.com  has been a huge help and I imagine that I will pay for it for many years to come without hesitation.  But the paid site that has really brought down the most brick walls has been Scotland’s People.  

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Surname Saturday: Anthony (but not really)

My 9th great grandfather, Thomas Brownell’s 5th great grandson married Susan Anthony.  Susan was sister to Daniel Anthony.  Daniel named his daughter, Susan Brownell Anthony” after his sister and her husband.  So I’m not related to Susan B. Anthony, but I know what the “B” stands for!

Thomas Brownell m. Ann Bourne
William Brownell m. Sarah Smiton
William Brownell m. Lydia Soule
Sarah Brownell m. Samuel Irish
Smiton Irish m. Elizabeth Simmons
John Irish m. Mercy Mae
Caleb Irish m. Orinda Palmer
Chester Gilbert Irish m. Francis E. Simmons
Minnie Mae Irish m. Robert Henry Badgley
Charles Albert Badgley m. Ethyl Maxine Shelton
My mom
Me

Friday, January 6, 2012

52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy: Week 1 – Blogs


52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy: Week 1 – Blogs


Week 1 – Blogs: Blogging is a great way for genealogists to share information with family members, potential cousins and each other. For which blog are you most thankful? Is it one of the earliest blogs you read, or a current one? What is special about the blog and why should others read it?


I am most thankful to Amy Coffin’s blog, The We Tree Genealogy Blog, http://wetree.blogspot.com/.  My biggest reason for my thankfulness is that it’s Amy that made me realize that I could read blogs about genealogy.  For some reason, as a mommy blogger for so many years, it never occurred to me that I could also find blogs about genealogy.  And write one.  So thank you, Amy!