The study of genealogy leads us to many other fascinating studies;
Among the subjects we dabble in includes but is not limited to:
history, geography, politics, computer science, photography, journalism, are just a few of the studies we are exposed to on a very regular basis-----
I am not an expert on any of these subjects for any other family history line except for mine.
I know my on-site computer websites based on my education and experience with computers, the equipment I have, the subscriptions I have sign up for etc.
I know a lot of general world history, a lot of American and English History, Some European history as it related to American or English History, Far less Asian history, and even less Mid-Eastern History except as it relates to Biblical times and Israel post 1945,
As I study mine or any of the other family histories I am involved in--- I learn the geography, politics, laws, culture, traditions of the time and place of the individual family I am researching.
I am learning alot about photography, restoring old photos, on-line photo shop like applications and storing of photos.
I am constantly trying to hone in my journalism skills.
I am learning a lot about legal documents, organizing data, medical diseases, cemeteries, and bureaucracy.
I enjoy open conversation and exchange of ideas on these subjects. With that said.... I invite my colleagues to communicate, comment, share, and engage me in like conversation.
A very nice thing happened to me the other day---- I received a private message regarding one of my posted blogs. The individual suggested I change a sentence to have correct noun/verb agreement, pointed out a few words I used in correctly, I wrote passed and meant past.
I am very grateful to that fellow genie blogger. It spoke volumes to me that they did indeed read my blog, thought well enough of it to want to make it better, and treated me as a colleague ..... Thank you special person..
I also enjoy sharing my experience and "genealogical tools" with others. I know not everyone has the time, equipment, access that I have been acquiring in my old age.....lol So I am enjoying sharing my education, experience to help others solve genealogy issues. Not as an expert on their family, their collective histories, but more of the how tos, what is available as resources/tools/access to write their own family history---- even as to include actually finding and showing documents, photos, grave markers, town histories, census, neighbors of those individuals families.
Who Do You Think You Are? shows excellent cues to how to lead someone to their history, not interrupt, pass judgement, or read into it more than there is-----
There were people in the program interchange that did show their "opinions" but every incident, every revealing, had several ways to interrupt it----allowing the "student of his own genealogy" absorb, process, and act upon his/her own discoveries as an individual. This observation of watching the individuals processing their discoveries is part of the fascination of this teaching people genealogy.
Seekers are given a box of puzzle pieces. Each piece of the puzzle is precious and unique.
You watch some clutch the data sheets to their hearts and smile as if they are hugging long lost friends.
You see some pull out the parts and immediately start building trees. Pulling extra parts from all over and making a bush instead of a well structured tree.
You see some tuck it away as though the looking at it is too painful to bear.
In each case; You realize your work is not done; a long road has just begun. So you wait, you listen, and you help your fellow traveler down the next bend in the road, because you know there is always another bend in the road.........
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Escondido Family History Fair
March 6, 2010 The LDS hosted a lovely fair. The boy scouts provided treats throughout the day and lunch as a fundraising activity. The stage was set with interesting artifacts.
Many Chula Vista Genealogy Society Members carpooled together and took turns greeting and meeting visitors to the Chula Vista Genealogy Society Information Table. Sweet Grace came by to say Hello to CVGS Board Member Randy Seaver.
There were 5 hours of instructions setup throughout the day. With 5 possible classes for each hour for a total of 25 possible classes to choose from----and admission was free!!!
There was also plenty of time to visit and network.
Here I am with Tom Underhill, Tom is the go-to guy to capture your "real" family story. The story of who your ancestors are beyond the birth/death dates and locations.
Here I am with the lovely Margaret Lewis. She is a very knowledgeable woman in many areas of genealogy. Including naming of children, name changes, and naming of Afro_American after emancipation. A subject very near and dear to my heart.
This very tall young man is Zachary. Besides being a collector of Confederate Memorablia, Zachary also travels all over the nation doing Civil War reenactments. He did tell me when he is in the South, he changes the color of his wools to Union Blue because everyone else wants to be Confederates in Southren reeactments. The other gentleman is an advisor for the enactments.
Here I am with the lovely Joan Lowrey. Joan shared her extensive experience and resources regarding Germany Genealogy on the Internet. She and I were able to spend some quality time together. We reenforced each other about the importance of Genealogy work and why it is so important.
I visited the Son of the American Revolution table.
What did I think was so funny while visiting with Jean Hibbens and Ann Diffley? The family quilt on display was an absolute "Hit" at the Fair.
The Bells were presenting and answering questions about the ever more popular resource on-line site FOOTNOTE.COM I just love and appreciate site developers and masters approachable and kind to "users".
Saturday, March 6, 2010
THE CHALLENGE: RATE YOURSELF FOR GENEALOGY MATURITY
IMHO---My two cents---and no I do not give change. (lol) ---
I think Ancestry Insider's post title can be misleading. The reason I say this is because my definition of a mature genealogist is more encompassing than this post suggests.
When we think of the internet as only the tip of the iceberg, and family tree data only 10% of that iceberg. This rating system encapsulates a very small segment of the mature genealogist standard.
I think a more appropriate title would be "Rate your Maturity to on-line Family Tree Entries." Based on this title change --- this is an excellent article to very elementary genealogy work. This article is an excellent view of the learning curve to on-line family tree entry but not genealogy as a whole.
Saying this ----- To further the excitement of genealogy I would have been much more interested in learning and exploring When he states he really is descended from an Indian princess.
The "Ancestry Insider" is part of the genealogy community of ideals and learning collarborations.
The Ancestry Insider lists his
Gender as Male
Industry as Internet
Occupation as Genealogy
Location in (fabulous and research wealthy) Salt Lake City : Utah : United States
According to ProGenealogists; The Ancestry Insider pens one of the "25 Most Popular Genealogy Blogs,". The Ancestry Insider focuses on the two big genealogy organizations, Ancestry.com and FamilySearch. And he states he really is descended from an Indian princess.
Mr. Insider posted a blog challenging people to rate themselves against a grid created by the Insider.
http://ancestryinsider.blogspot.com/2010/03/rate-your-genealogical-maturity.html
THE CHALLENGE: RATE YOURSELF GENEALOGICAL MATURITYS
THE RATING SYSTEM:
Sources
# Level Sources Check
1. Entry Typically relies on compiled genealogies.
2. Emerging Mostly relies on compiled genealogies and online sources.
3. Practicing Uses a limited number of record types and repositories. Mostly relies on online and microfilmed sources.
4. Proficient Uses a wide variety of record types. Often contacts record custodians to obtain copies of high-quality sources.
5. Stellar Insightfully pursues research at multiple, targeted repositories, making use of a plethora of records and record types. "Burned counties" are not roadblocks.
Citations
# Level Citations Check
1. Entry Captures URLs for online sources and citations for published sources.
2. Emerging Increasingly captures necessary information for manuscript sources.
3. Practicing Typically produces complete source citations.
4. Proficient Gives complete and accurate source citations including provenance and quality assessment.
5. Stellar Overcomes limitations of genealogical software to create well organized, industry standard reference notes and source lists.
Information
# Level Information Check
1. Entry Typically does not realize the need to judge information quality and has no basis for doing so.
2. Emerging Emerging realization that information quality differs. Muddles evaluation by thinking of primary/secondary sources instead of primary/secondary information, leading to muddled evaluation when sources contain both.
3. Practicing Judges information by source type, informant knowledge, and record timing. Applies "primary/secondary" to information instead of sources.
4. Proficient Additionally, learns history necessary to recognize and evaluate all explicit information in a source.
5. Stellar Additionally, utilizes implicit information in a source. Finds information in cases like illegitimacy that stump most researchers.
Evidence
# Level Evidence Check
1. Entry Limited understanding of evidence and the role it plays. Typically ignores conflicting evidence.
2. Emerging Captures direct, supporting evidence and increasingly depends upon it.
3. Practicing Additionally, captures directly conflicting evidence.
4. Proficient Additionally, recognizes and captures indirect, supporting evidence.
5. Stellar Additionally, recognizes and captures indirect, conflicting evidence.
Conclusions
# Level Conclusions Check
1. Entry In the absence of analysis, reaches conclusions by instinct.
2. Emerging Learning to evaluate the quality of sources, information, and evidence. Emerging ability to resolve minor discrepancies.
3. Practicing Additionally, resolves conflicting evidence or uses it to disprove prevalent opinion. Usually applies correct identity to persons mentioned in sources.
4. Proficient Additionally, when necessary creates soundly reasoned, coherently documented conclusions utilizing direct and indirect evidence.
5. Stellar Additionally: Publishes clear and convincing conclusions. Teaches and inspires others.
Conclusion Trees
# Level Conclusion Trees Check
1. Entry Merges or combines individuals in trees without evidence.
2. Emerging Growing hesitancy to merge or combine individuals without evidence.
3. Practicing Never merges entire compiled genealogies into own tree. Contributes or changes community trees only with evidence.
4. Proficient Manages evidence separately from conclusion tree. Not interested in trusting high quality conclusions to a low maturity community tree.
5. Stellar Publishes highly respected conclusion trees.
Review the categories and pick one to work on. See what you need to do to advance from your current level to the next level. Make that your goal. Don’t try and work on all categories at once. Baby steps. Don’t try to skip levels. Baby steps. Commit to yourself and focus your efforts on that one, little goal.
Once you’ve accomplished that goal, come back and pick another area for improvement.
What Level Are You?
This next exercise is optional. It is a non-scientific method of determining your “genealogical maturity.” Write your level number in the table below for each category above. Add up all the numbers and write the total in the last row.
Category Level
Sources
Citations
Information
Evidence
Conclusions
Conclusion Trees
TOTAL
In the table below, find the range that includes your score. Your genealogical maturity is listed on the same row.
Range Maturity Level
6 - 11 1. Entry
12 - 17 2. Emerging
18 - 23 3. Practicing
24 - 29 4. Proficient
30 5. Stellar
The Rating system I give myself:
What the Ancestry Insider calls stellar --- I call genealogy maturity minimal.
Minimal:
Sources
"Burned counties" are not roadblocks.
Citations:
Gives complete and accurate source citations including provenance and quality assessment. Overcomes limitations of genealogical software to create well organized, industry standard reference notes and source lists.
Information
Judges information by source type, informant knowledge, and record timing. Applies "primary/secondary" to information instead of sources.
Additionally, learns history necessary to recognize and evaluate all explicit information in a source.
Evidence
recognizes and captures indirect, supporting evidence. Additionally, recognizes and captures indirect, conflicting evidence.
Conclusions
when necessary creates soundly reasoned, coherently documented conclusions utilizing direct and indirect evidence.
Additionally: Publishes clear and convincing conclusions. Teaches and inspires others.
Conclusion Trees
Never merges entire compiled genealogies into own tree. Contributes or changes community trees only with evidence.
Manages evidence separately from conclusion tree. Not interested in trusting high quality conclusions to a low maturity community tree.
Publishes highly respected conclusion trees.
Saying this ----- To further the excitement of genealogy I would have been much more interested in learning and exploring When he states he really is descended from an Indian princess.
I think Ancestry Insider's post title can be misleading. The reason I say this is because my definition of a mature genealogist is more encompassing than this post suggests.
When we think of the internet as only the tip of the iceberg, and family tree data only 10% of that iceberg. This rating system encapsulates a very small segment of the mature genealogist standard.
I think a more appropriate title would be "Rate your Maturity to on-line Family Tree Entries." Based on this title change --- this is an excellent article to very elementary genealogy work. This article is an excellent view of the learning curve to on-line family tree entry but not genealogy as a whole.
Saying this ----- To further the excitement of genealogy I would have been much more interested in learning and exploring When he states he really is descended from an Indian princess.
The "Ancestry Insider" is part of the genealogy community of ideals and learning collarborations.
The Ancestry Insider lists his
Gender as Male
Industry as Internet
Occupation as Genealogy
Location in (fabulous and research wealthy) Salt Lake City : Utah : United States
According to ProGenealogists; The Ancestry Insider pens one of the "25 Most Popular Genealogy Blogs,". The Ancestry Insider focuses on the two big genealogy organizations, Ancestry.com and FamilySearch. And he states he really is descended from an Indian princess.
Mr. Insider posted a blog challenging people to rate themselves against a grid created by the Insider.
http://ancestryinsider.blogspot.com/2010/03/rate-your-genealogical-maturity.html
THE CHALLENGE: RATE YOURSELF GENEALOGICAL MATURITYS
THE RATING SYSTEM:
Sources
# Level Sources Check
1. Entry Typically relies on compiled genealogies.
2. Emerging Mostly relies on compiled genealogies and online sources.
3. Practicing Uses a limited number of record types and repositories. Mostly relies on online and microfilmed sources.
4. Proficient Uses a wide variety of record types. Often contacts record custodians to obtain copies of high-quality sources.
5. Stellar Insightfully pursues research at multiple, targeted repositories, making use of a plethora of records and record types. "Burned counties" are not roadblocks.
Citations
# Level Citations Check
1. Entry Captures URLs for online sources and citations for published sources.
2. Emerging Increasingly captures necessary information for manuscript sources.
3. Practicing Typically produces complete source citations.
4. Proficient Gives complete and accurate source citations including provenance and quality assessment.
5. Stellar Overcomes limitations of genealogical software to create well organized, industry standard reference notes and source lists.
Information
# Level Information Check
1. Entry Typically does not realize the need to judge information quality and has no basis for doing so.
2. Emerging Emerging realization that information quality differs. Muddles evaluation by thinking of primary/secondary sources instead of primary/secondary information, leading to muddled evaluation when sources contain both.
3. Practicing Judges information by source type, informant knowledge, and record timing. Applies "primary/secondary" to information instead of sources.
4. Proficient Additionally, learns history necessary to recognize and evaluate all explicit information in a source.
5. Stellar Additionally, utilizes implicit information in a source. Finds information in cases like illegitimacy that stump most researchers.
Evidence
# Level Evidence Check
1. Entry Limited understanding of evidence and the role it plays. Typically ignores conflicting evidence.
2. Emerging Captures direct, supporting evidence and increasingly depends upon it.
3. Practicing Additionally, captures directly conflicting evidence.
4. Proficient Additionally, recognizes and captures indirect, supporting evidence.
5. Stellar Additionally, recognizes and captures indirect, conflicting evidence.
Conclusions
# Level Conclusions Check
1. Entry In the absence of analysis, reaches conclusions by instinct.
2. Emerging Learning to evaluate the quality of sources, information, and evidence. Emerging ability to resolve minor discrepancies.
3. Practicing Additionally, resolves conflicting evidence or uses it to disprove prevalent opinion. Usually applies correct identity to persons mentioned in sources.
4. Proficient Additionally, when necessary creates soundly reasoned, coherently documented conclusions utilizing direct and indirect evidence.
5. Stellar Additionally: Publishes clear and convincing conclusions. Teaches and inspires others.
Conclusion Trees
# Level Conclusion Trees Check
1. Entry Merges or combines individuals in trees without evidence.
2. Emerging Growing hesitancy to merge or combine individuals without evidence.
3. Practicing Never merges entire compiled genealogies into own tree. Contributes or changes community trees only with evidence.
4. Proficient Manages evidence separately from conclusion tree. Not interested in trusting high quality conclusions to a low maturity community tree.
5. Stellar Publishes highly respected conclusion trees.
Review the categories and pick one to work on. See what you need to do to advance from your current level to the next level. Make that your goal. Don’t try and work on all categories at once. Baby steps. Don’t try to skip levels. Baby steps. Commit to yourself and focus your efforts on that one, little goal.
Once you’ve accomplished that goal, come back and pick another area for improvement.
What Level Are You?
This next exercise is optional. It is a non-scientific method of determining your “genealogical maturity.” Write your level number in the table below for each category above. Add up all the numbers and write the total in the last row.
Category Level
Sources
Citations
Information
Evidence
Conclusions
Conclusion Trees
TOTAL
In the table below, find the range that includes your score. Your genealogical maturity is listed on the same row.
Range Maturity Level
6 - 11 1. Entry
12 - 17 2. Emerging
18 - 23 3. Practicing
24 - 29 4. Proficient
30 5. Stellar
The Rating system I give myself:
What the Ancestry Insider calls stellar --- I call genealogy maturity minimal.
Minimal:
Sources
"Burned counties" are not roadblocks.
Citations:
Gives complete and accurate source citations including provenance and quality assessment. Overcomes limitations of genealogical software to create well organized, industry standard reference notes and source lists.
Information
Judges information by source type, informant knowledge, and record timing. Applies "primary/secondary" to information instead of sources.
Additionally, learns history necessary to recognize and evaluate all explicit information in a source.
Evidence
recognizes and captures indirect, supporting evidence. Additionally, recognizes and captures indirect, conflicting evidence.
Conclusions
when necessary creates soundly reasoned, coherently documented conclusions utilizing direct and indirect evidence.
Additionally: Publishes clear and convincing conclusions. Teaches and inspires others.
Conclusion Trees
Never merges entire compiled genealogies into own tree. Contributes or changes community trees only with evidence.
Manages evidence separately from conclusion tree. Not interested in trusting high quality conclusions to a low maturity community tree.
Publishes highly respected conclusion trees.
Saying this ----- To further the excitement of genealogy I would have been much more interested in learning and exploring When he states he really is descended from an Indian princess.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Comparing Getting Started with Genealogy: Who are you------have to have list....
Always on the look out for advice consultation from "the experts" I am finding this month has produced some interesting lists ---- of "have to have" genealogy tools.
I have a genealogy budget and want to get the most benefit for my money. Genealogy can get expensive.
I realize I should probably wait until I finish my comparison before I blog about this ----
but did I say ---my day is full and that two hours ago I should have been off the computer??????
To tickle you curiosity --- I am linking 2 of the 5 blogs I will be evaluating and assessing ---- but right now ---- sorry I gotta go --- finish getting visuals for
the Escondido, California Family History Fair---- then all day will be spent at the Fair------
I am making an extensive list and comparison chart. I subscribe to most of these sites. I can tell you my personal experiences with the sites. Strengths and Weaknesses. and try to come up with my own
"Where to put my genealogy dollar to support my research"
and a beginner's list of where to put dollars, to get started.
http://blog.dearmyrtle.com/2010/02/10-things-genealogists-cant-live.html
http://blog.genealogybank.com/2010/03/genealogy-boot-camp-get-to-know-your_7700.html
I have a genealogy budget and want to get the most benefit for my money. Genealogy can get expensive.
I realize I should probably wait until I finish my comparison before I blog about this ----
but did I say ---my day is full and that two hours ago I should have been off the computer??????
To tickle you curiosity --- I am linking 2 of the 5 blogs I will be evaluating and assessing ---- but right now ---- sorry I gotta go --- finish getting visuals for
the Escondido, California Family History Fair---- then all day will be spent at the Fair------
I am making an extensive list and comparison chart. I subscribe to most of these sites. I can tell you my personal experiences with the sites. Strengths and Weaknesses. and try to come up with my own
"Where to put my genealogy dollar to support my research"
and a beginner's list of where to put dollars, to get started.
http://blog.dearmyrtle.com/2010/02/10-things-genealogists-cant-live.html
http://blog.genealogybank.com/2010/03/genealogy-boot-camp-get-to-know-your_7700.html
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Very Therapeutic
"I find genealogical research and related organizational tasks to be very therapeutic."
My links to this blog do not appear on my preview---but please refer to Creativegene's blog;
This blog is a response to
Creativegene's post Genealogy As Therapy.
A very lovely post that certainly has followers commenting. I am up, it is 4:30 am, The house is still dark except for the glow of the PC monitor, the house is hush except for the hum of the hard drive, the refrigerator running, and the tap tap tapping of the keyboard. Occasionally a hear a car on another block of an early worker. I am reading genealogy blogs.
This part of my day is like reading long rambling heart felt letters of dear friends far away.
The genealogy research part is like reading books. Sometimes mysteries, sometime family saga, sometimes history. All my favorite kinds of books.
My husband enjoys me being in the same room as he, while I do my genealogy. Comforting, instead of two old people sitting while the woman knits, this old lady yarns tales.
The writing, the remembering, the recalling of things, events or people of the past that you had not thought about in year, the sharing these memories with others also is so revealing.
Even the taxing of your brain to learn new software, review and compare documents, search for resources stimulates and focuses the brain.
Great post to share
My links to this blog do not appear on my preview---but please refer to Creativegene's blog;
This blog is a response to
Creativegene's post Genealogy As Therapy.
A very lovely post that certainly has followers commenting. I am up, it is 4:30 am, The house is still dark except for the glow of the PC monitor, the house is hush except for the hum of the hard drive, the refrigerator running, and the tap tap tapping of the keyboard. Occasionally a hear a car on another block of an early worker. I am reading genealogy blogs.
This part of my day is like reading long rambling heart felt letters of dear friends far away.
The genealogy research part is like reading books. Sometimes mysteries, sometime family saga, sometimes history. All my favorite kinds of books.
My husband enjoys me being in the same room as he, while I do my genealogy. Comforting, instead of two old people sitting while the woman knits, this old lady yarns tales.
The writing, the remembering, the recalling of things, events or people of the past that you had not thought about in year, the sharing these memories with others also is so revealing.
Even the taxing of your brain to learn new software, review and compare documents, search for resources stimulates and focuses the brain.
Great post to share
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Following Friday Everything's Relative - Researching Your Family History
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