Update on my Sweet 16 ---- Genealogy can be boring!!

How Boring Is This???

I have often heard people complain genealogy is boring and meaningless.
When I went to update my sweet 16. I had to agree!! This post is boring!!!! To find and post these dates and locations represents years of work, collaboration of dozens of people, and great dedication.

BUT THIS IS BORING!!!!

I can see why many bloggers take one name at a time and "tell their story". This may count as genealogy. But this is not my genealogy.

1. John William HAYLEY was born in 1823 in Tennessee. He died in 1874 at the age of 51 in Tennessee.

2. Eliza Jane MOORING was born on 27 Nov 1829 in Madison, Tennessee, United States. She died in Apr 1905 at the age of 75 in Lake, Tennessee, United States.

3. Jackson Columbus CARTER was born in 1855 in Union City, Laclede, Missouri, United States. Jackson died in 1929 at the age of 74 in Arizona, USA.

4. Elizabeth Jane WHITE was born in April, 1860 in Texas, United States.

5. William B DIKES was born on 8 Jan 1838 in Tennessee. He died in 1874 in Texas.

6. Abigail C JOHNSON was born on 27 Mar 1842 in Carlisle, Sullivan, Indiana, United States. Abigail died about 1881 at the age of 39 in Eastland, Texas, United States.

7. Milton C PARKS was born in Jul 1843 in Lincoln County, TN. He died in 1923 at the age of 80 in ,Texas, USA.

8. Philadelphia HARRISON was born in 1853 in Arkansas City, Arkansas, Arkansas, United States.

9. David REED was born on 10 Mar 1811 in North Carolina, United States. He died on 25 Dec 1870 at the age of 59 in West Plains, Howell, Missouri, United States.

10. Elizabeth MESSERSMITH was born on 25 Jul 1813 in Wythe, Virginia, United States. She died on 21 Sep 1875 at the age of 62 in West Plains, Howell, Missouri, United States.

11. John Arnett CHAPIN was born on 23 Aug 1829 in Sangamon, Illinois, United States. He died on 15 Jun 1915 at the age of 85 in El Paso, Texas, United States.

12. Sarah KYLE was born on 9 Mar 1827 in Clay, Tennessee, United States. She died on 26 Mar 1867 at the age of 40 in Howell, Missouri, United States.

13. John Wesley Sr COOK was born on 5 Sep 1853 in Ewing, Franklin, Illinois, United States. He died on 29 Jan 1907 at the age of 53 in Maud, Pottawatomie, Oklahoma, United States.

14. Sara Adline BATES was born in 1854 in Franklin, Illinois, United States.
English

15. James Thomas DEARMAN was born on 12 Jul 1859 in Cuba, Sumter, Alabama, United States. He died on 2 Feb 1934 at the age of 74 in Healdton, Carter, Oklahoma, United States.

16. Laura Helen BUNYARD was born on 20 Feb 1867 in Cuba, Sumter, Alabama, United States. She died in Aug 1908 at the age of 41 in Hammon, Custer, Oklahoma, United States.

Boring!!! (Yawn)
More to come. Each of these individuals lived incredible lives. They were all pioneers and represented the best of people for their time.

Ancestry.com "FILE RECORDS" helpful hints or Misleading bogus PR gimmick???

Ancestry.com "FILE RECORDS" helpful hints or Misleading Headache???

THIS PAST YEAR ANCESTRY.COM HAS INCREASED THE NUMBER OF HISTORICAL RECORD/FILES FOUND ON A SEARCH.

Regarding these new Individual, Birth, Millennium File, US and International Marriage, Emigration RECORDS


These new records added to hints:

I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS:

1. What level of documentation do these "Family Data Collection" files offer to validating and verifying data??

None--- they conflict, are vague and seldom cite an acceptable source.

2. Can you tell me the orgin of these records?

They seem to be computer generated "files" created by the inputs of mostly, untrained, unreliable sources.

When applying Ancestry.com instruction to find new data (and follow these green leaf hints) and while these hints use to lead you truly new data and it was not unusual to encounter 1-5 on an especially helpful search.

We are now have to deal with 15-30 "so called" new hints. The hints are vague FILE RECORDS of questionable orgin and many times full of errors. You may not only get FILE RECORDS for your individual search but duplicate FILE RECORDS for parents, spouses and/or children.

Point in case -----

My tree overview indicated Susanna Boylston had 15 "new" hints. That is pretty exciting. So if I was be led to 15 hints for say 100 out of 1000 people in my database. I am looking at the possibility of 1500 important possibilities of finding data. This scenario is really not that far fetch --- if you realize I am working with only 10% of my data base. Meaning 90% or 900 people in the database are not being investigated or examined at this time.

Ok including setting up the search, waiting for data, requesting to see hints, you spend a minimum of 3 minutes on each hint. 4500 minutes. 75 man hours (2 working weeks of work)

If only 1% is "new" news to me (15 verifiable legitimate good dates and locations) -----I will feel my two full time working weeks as time spent well worth my time and effort.

When I opened the HISTORICAL RECORDS of the 15 only 10 applied to Susanna, others where her husband's, parents', or siblings' records.

25 man hours of the 75 man hours wasted immediately.

Of the 10 HISTORICAL RECORDS I encountered 5 different birthdates for this same person!!!

If only one birthdate can be the TRUE VALUE

The orgin (who inputted the data) of each "RECORD" would need to be investigated.
The supporting documentation and sources (used to derive to that date) would need to be examined for each date.

Now this could take a while for each date,

assuming we can personally call up each submitter of data and they would of course answer on the first call. And they would be able to recall the family Bible, original birth certificate, or was able to scan over the baptismal records, we could check each record and validate or reject it within half a day for each record. 1 hour times 5 conflicting records times 100 people with "hints". Add 500 man hours to the original 75 hours. Which is 575 manhours of work!!! So 3-4 months you could expect a reasonable guesstimate of 100 birthdates!!!

MY POINT IS UNLESS I AM MISSING THE POINT COMPLETELY:
THE ADDED RECORDS/FILES ARE NOT HELPING BUT HURTING

See my example below:

Ancestry Hints for Susanna Boylston(learn more about Ancestry Hints)
Children (7)
Hannah Adams B: 1637
Samuel Adams B: 1645
Margaret Adams B: 1736
Peter Boylston Adams B: 1738
Elihu Adams B: 1741
Elihu Adams B: 1741
Thomas Adams B: 1743

Susanna Boylston
B:5 March 1698 in Brookline, Norfolk, Massachusetts, United States
D:17 Apr 1797 in Quincy, Norfolk, Massachusetts, United States Edit personJohn Adams B:8 Feb 1691 in Braintree, Norfolk, Massachusetts, United States

Family Data Collection - Individual Records RecordFamily Trees
Name: Susanna Boylston Spouse: John Adams Father: Peter Boylston Birth: 25 March 1708 in Brookline, Norfolk, MA Death: 17 April 1797 in Quincy, Norfolk, MA Marriage: 31 October 1734 Review Hint or ignore hint



Family Data Collection - Births RecordFamily Trees
Name: Susanna Boylston Father: Peter Boylston Mother: Ann White Birth: 5 March 1698 in Brookline, MA, USA Review Hint or ignore hint



Family Data Collection - Births RecordFamily Trees
Name: Susanna Boylston Father: Peter Boylston Mother: Ann White Birth: 5 March 1699 in Brookline, Norfolk, MA, USA Review Hint or ignore hint



Millennium File RecordFamily Trees
Name: Susanna Boyleston Parents: Peter Boylston, Ann White Children: John(2Nd Pres) Adams Birth: 5 Mar 1699 in Brookline, Norfolk, Massachusetts, USA Death: 17 Apr 1797 in Quincy, Norfolk, Massachusetts, USA Review Hint or ignore hint



U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 RecordBirth, Marriage & Death
Name: Susanna Boylston Spouse: John Adams Birth: 1699 in MA Review Hint or ignore hint



U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 RecordBirth, Marriage & Death
Name: Susanna Boylston Spouse: John Adams Birth: 1699 in MA Marriage: 1734 Review Hint or ignore hint



U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 RecordBirth, Marriage & Death
Name: Susanna Boylston Spouse: John Adams Birth: 1709 Marriage: 1734 Review Hint or ignore hint


U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 RecordBirth, Marriage & Death
Name: Susanna Boylston Spouse: John Adams Birth: 1708 in MA Marriage: 1734 in MA Review Hint or ignore hint


U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 RecordBirth, Marriage & Death
Name: Susanna Boylston Spouse: John Adams Birth: 1709 in MA Marriage: 1734 in MA Review Hint or ignore hint

Solution: instead of chasing these sources and data: the collaboration screens reverence to the source for each data entry is on a scroll down sheet. These collaboration records usually match the data of these RECORD/FILES, Contact people and sources (if cited) are also found there. I warn against using ONE WORLD CONNECT as a source (often referenced in the collaboration screens) because again the criteria to post on this site has not been well established for integrity.

Care and Feeding of a Gravestone

The cleaning represented by these pictures was done in about one hour.

After visiting a cemetery with a friend -- I choose to blog a little about the care and feeding of a Grave Headstone.

My friend was young, alone and grieving when she lost her beloved father in 1964. She gallantly arranged for the funeral, grave site and receptions by herself. She wanted the very very best money could buy. She chooses a Blue Marble large headstone. Circumstances changed her life and although she lived near by; she did not visit the cemetery for some time. To her surprise time, weather, oxidation and algae had faded, stained and defaced her gravestone.

Marble is porous and stains easily. If its polished marble then the film on it which makes it look dull will be from oxidation in the atmosphere & algae etc will form a film on it. Algae will actually start a hole that becomes larger over time.

The cemetery will professionally clean the marble markers and headstones--for a fee, of course (See previous blog regarding Family Foundations)

It was interesting to "surf" the net for possible solutions to clean one yourself.

The suggestions of course ran the gamut from passive to quite aggressive methods:

Some people will tell you that you should not clean the headstone

Try a potato cut in half

Use two teaspoons of bicarb/soda. with two tablespoons; of water. Rub it on using a rag. Let it dry; Then polish off.

For rust stains, you can remove superficial stains with vigorous scrubbing using a soft cloth and a non-abrasive mild detergent.

Mix a quarter cup of bleach in with your soapy water.

Get it steam-cleaned

An application of naval jelly or other rust remover following the manufacturer's directions for use. But thoroughly rinse off the product after using so it doesn't continue to eat away at the stone.

Use brasso or T Cut

If the surface is not polished, you can go to a hardware store and purchase ''Muriatic Acid''. Be careful, use long rubber gloves and goggles and follow the label's directions!

Pop into your local monumental mason, for some cleaner, its an acid.

There are lots of marble cleaners available on-line and at the big hardware stores. Lowe's and Home Depot.

To clean an old marble that is already weather-beaten, then you can use a non-brass wire brush and Clorox bleach (the thick kind) to do the job. The bleach will get rid of any algae growth. But be sure to thoroughly rinse off with lots of water.

If it's yours forget it . It can't be done

The most comprehensive suggestion came from this following link:
http://www.tsgraves.com/relics/headstone.htm

Pictures of the before and after cleaning are available at this site also.



You should assess the condition of the stone prior to cleaning. I would not attempt this on a headstone that was crumbling. I have seen the . The following are items you will need. In the interest of safety, read and follow all label directions of the manufacturer. Below is a list of items you will need:

•A wire brush (not made of brass)
•A pump up sprayer that will handle a corrosive
•Safety goggles for your eyes
•Rubber Gloves
•Old Clothes or a rain poncho
•Fresh Clean Gallons of Water
•Several Gallons of Clorox Outdoor™
•Some Clean Rags, I prefer white
1.Put on the safety goggles and rubber gloves first.
2.Spray the stone, covering it completely. Wait about 15 minutes. If there is a large algae growth, use the brush lightly to loosen it. You may have to repeat this several times, depending on the amount of algae growth.
3.On the third or fourth application you can rinse with water to see where you stand in the cleaning process.

The quote given to clean the monument was $700.00 from a monument company. The cost of all items was about $50.00 -- and the sprayer goggles, gloves and other items could be used again.

Family Foundations

Recently on WDYTYA there was much todo regarding a neglected graveyard. This is a misunderstanding by many families. That once you purchased "the very best, most expensive gravestone, cemetery spot available at the time, that somehow the job of preserving a well defined, pristine resting place for your loved one is done forever.

Or that if you have a porous, soft material as a grave marker that there is no way to protect it. Check out the grave site of Daniel Boone's parents. I think this is so awesome. They built a structure around very primitive hand carved grave markers.

Imagine the surprise of a friend recently (that after a decade of divorce, losing her home, falling ill, struggling to meet every day's needs) she finally manages to visit her parents grave to find the headstones in ill repair. Explaining again and again how she went into debt to assure her parents had "the very best". Ancestors need cemetery caregivers. Some families have set up "foundations" to assure grave sites are maintained. Family members are notified of this service available. Grave sites are added by location, name and for donations (monetary or time) an administrator arranges for maintenance, status reports, etc. of the family resting places. An example of this would be Vandy Ann lives in Oklahoma, we have many sites in Oklahoma. We provide Vandy Ann a list and location of these sites. In turn, Vandy wants to be assure, have pictures, asks that flowers be laid at Grandparents site in Los Angeles. The family maintain a family foundation to manage this activity. There are several foundations already set by in my family. In one in particular the foundation encompasses several countries. THE CHAPIN FAMILY FOUNDATION.

Many families have family newspapers to update family members on additions, losses, new websites and grave site status reports. Example the newsletter may indicate a misspelling on a gravestone. Depending on the interest of the family --- someone may be willing to contact the cemetery to correct the problem and report back to the family.

Good things are happening out there. It is never too late to see a need and fill it. After watching that WDYTYA I immediately wanted to write Emmett Smith and suggest he "adopt" the cemetery, add headstones, and landscaping. Tell and glorify the lives of these fine people. In this horrible economy, he could give employment, honor and a livelihood to his relatives by hiring them to do the work, setting up a small home on the property, and providing for a cemetery care taker.

Let us not leave this world with regrets and condemnation. Let us leave this world a better place than when we begun. What a marvelous follow up documentary that would make to show Emmitt Smith returning back to the cemetery, hiring people, planning the landscape, preparing and engraving the stories in stone, setting up a small retirement home for relatives and the cost to stay there is to maintain the cemetery. He could set up a foundation in the name of his grandmother and include it in his will.

Ever considered attending a conference but thought .....

Ever considered attending a conference but thought
1) I can not afford it?
2) There will be nothing for me?
3) I would not know how to get the benefits of the conference?
4) It is too expensive, even if I could afford it?

The Ancestry Insider has been posting ideas to cut cost and/or get the most out of a Salt Lake City Conference visit.

THESE EXACT SAME OPTIONS ARE OFFERED AT THE BURBANK CONFERENCE

There are several posts about freebies, including Ancestry Insider suggestions outlined below:

Ancestry.com is offering free document scanning. Sign ups for each day are held first thing in the morning. Inquire at the Ancestry.com booth to learn where to sign up.

SWAG. That’s the official, programmers’ term for free promotional items given out at trade shows: pens, high lighters, post-it notes, stickers, rulers, pocket flashlights, and miniature magnifying glasses—all labeled with someone’s logo—are SWAG I’ve seen at recent genealogy shows.

Exhibit Hall may be the largest assemblage of genealogy vendors ever assembled. Look for these extras: Show specials on many of your favorite genealogy programs and products. Sit-down demonstrations, not unlike conference sessions, are offered by several vendors of genealogy programs. Ancestry.com typically has several computers available for free access to their website. Consultants are on hand to give personalized research help. I don’t know if Legacy will be holding their usual drawing for a free Netbook computer, but if they aren’t, you are likely to run into other prize drawings.

____Thank you The Ancestry Insider for those great tips_____

What did I gain from last year's jamboree:

Last year I won an hour of German genealogy study; I am going to use it on my Messersmith line. (Family, Elizabeth Messersmith was David Reed's wife, mother of Monroe Parson Reed (the sheriff of Howell County, Missouri)

An entire Syllabus of the entire Conference!!! Worth it's weight in GOLD

I was introduced and fell in LOVE with ROOTSMAGIC and also met the developer and all around good guy Bruce Buzee who actually made me feel I could contact him any time for assistance, and a San Diego Genealogy Teacher giving monthly FREE ROOTSMAGIC sessions. Yes, I wanted, needed a new program (I had been on Legacy since it's first edition) but I wanted it inexpensive, fulfill many of my wants and needs, and lots of help learning a new program.

I met and learnt alot about GOOGLE, WIDGETS, and STUFF from Lisa Louise Cook. And guess what we have become friends over the year!!! I was actually on one of her podcast!!

I became a BLOGGER. A very jolly guy decorated like a Christmas Tree lured me with his baubles and trinkets and next thing I knew he helped me form the name of this blog and when I returned home a year ago, he actually stepped me through learning to blog.

And I met the neatest people I would list them but would be afraid of missing someone ----- errrrrrr!

and from blogging and google, facebook, this entire year --- I have met more genealogy friends, COUSINS!!!, and increased my research efforts in unmeasurable ways.


Now I will add a few Ruthisms:
Last year was my first year at the Jamboree. I have a couple of concerns when I travel. Last Year my husband was seriously ill and I was home nursing him. Also because of my own health issues, 3 days is a long time for me to be out of my routine. And I had concerns about the cost so.......

1.) I carpooled (BIG ADVANTAGE: because I also met a new friend.) (Cutting gas cost, parking cost and wear and tear on my body). She has a smooth nice newer car. Her lumbar section of her seats even warm up so your back gets a little physical therapy as you sink into her plush wide seats. ahhhhhhh

2.) We went on Saturday and paid for only one night lodging and one day of conference.

3.)For breakfast and lunch that day we had packed waters, apples, yogurt, crackers, cheese and protein bars.

Saturday Night was the bloggers dinner so I had one very full day.

Rather or not we paid for Sunday sessions I knew I wanted a good night sleep after waking early for the ride up to Burbank, a full day of conference and attending a late blogger dinner.

Going late and being a little unsure of your plans it is a gamble somewhat:
True, the Sunday Breakfast was sold out, that I later decided to attend. I continued to visit the information booth to see if tickets came available. Finally Saturday night, the lady working the information booth found out she was scheduled for more volunteer work during the breakfast time and sold me her ticket.

That was a great presentation and the breakfast was plentiful and nicely served, I am so glad I was able to attend. Thank you volunteer for selling your ticket to me. It was a presentation done by women in costume sharing the Traditions and Rules of Etiquette for Mourning in the 1800s. They had many artifacts with them and were most gracious.

If you ever see them scheduled somewhere I suggest you make time to see/hear this presentation and allow yourself time to look over their treasures. 1800s were a difficult time because of poor prenatal care, wars, and diseases. Life expectancy was a lot shorter time measured in years. Hard to think about losing people at the age of mid-40s.

There was one last activity my car companion and I wanted to see after Sunday's lunch so we decided to stay for lunch. My friend was experiencing pain in her leg, so I asked her what helped it and she said exercise in a swimming pool. Yes, we were already fast friends by then.

Whenever we meet people She likes to say that she and I spent the night together in a hotel the very first day we met each other. She even had the opportunity to share this fact with the minister at the church I attend with my husband. lol

So we put bathing suits under our clothing with hopes to get a quick bite, have time for water exercises and still make it to our desired activity scheduled for after lunch. I called the front desk requesting for a late departure time. By the time we got downstairs, the snack line, dining room lines were tremendously long.

Here it comes! The big RUTHISM,

So I suggested we go ahead to the pool. No other people were at the pool. There was a phone at poolside which I picked up and ordered lunch. So while waiting for lunch, a sandwich to share, hummus, and juice. We slipped in the pool, stretched and did a few light aqua exercises. How taking-care-of-ourselves luxurious is that!!! When our food arrived we got out, sat in the shade poolside and had a delightful lunch. Then we went to our room, showered, packed the car, attended our session, got in the car and left.

All in all a very complete satisfying experience. We cut cost by at least half, ate sensibly, and started our ride home rested, fed, and fresh.

So if you ever consider attending a conference I suggest you:

1. hand-tailor it to your wants and needs
2. pick one close to home
3. know what you want (I wanted a new software program)
4. be prepared to meet and enjoy many many new friends!!
5. allow yourself a chance to try at least one new thing.
If it does not work out---that is ok.
6. Do not make purchases until the last day, everything looks like the answer to your research on the first day. I looked over all software packages, and web site resource sites before I made my final choices for purchase.
EXCEPTION TO 6: unless it is the book you have been looking for and could never find----then nab it immediately.

What is my want list this year:

1. Attending advance ROOTSMAGIC classes with Bruce. and hoping to ask him about the future of the software program.

2. Meet up with old friends!!

3. Meet new friends. A couple of "expert" genealogists and I have already made plans to meet!!!

4. Spend an enjoyable time and sleep in the same hotel room again with my new found friend. Maybe I will get a cupcake for us to share with a candle to celebrate our first anniversary as friends. LOL

5. Review and renew purchases of services and web site accesses. Many of my subscriptions expire (one year) I need to renew and/or find the correct purchases for me. (Repeat suggestion #6 after me Ruth, do not make purchases the first day.) Unless it is the MOORING BOOK or HAYLEY BOOK--- which I give you permission to claw, crawl, reach over people, anything you need to do to claim that book for your family (ancestors and future generations). Do not worry -----I just ran that last sentence through my WTF!! filter and I will not make a spectacle of myself. I will make my ancestors proud of my controlled restraint!!

6. Visit the SCGS Library ---- with research papers in hand having done my homework ahead of time to be as efficient and effective as possible on my search.

7. and oh yeah have fun but being mindful to take good care of myself in the process.

I reviewed and selected sessions for Burbank Jamboree

I reviewed and selected sessions I want to attend at Burbank Jamboree in June 2010. The one thing I truly appreciated about the program was the different level of study being indicated on each session.
There are sessions designated as for ALL, Beginners, Intermediates, and Advance. It is truly amazing because about a month ago I started a spreadsheet with Presenters, Contact information, Subjects of Presentations and actually added level of the presentation to my spreadsheet.
The reason I did this was to objectively present information when asked about hiring a presenter for a Society General Meeting or Seminar.
The short bios on the Speakers were also good indicators to help choose sessions I wish to explore.
Although one time slot seemed to lean heavily on the IA rating, there seemed to be enough variety in each time slot.

Besides reviewing the subject to make my choices for sessions to attend, I also want to see in person some of the Presenters.

The Jamboree is certainly bringing in the "A" list of presenters: With Chris Haley and Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak of WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE TV series.

We have our wonderful regulars that continue our enthusiasm like DearMyrtle and Lisa Cook. I have to get my enthusiastic "Genealogy can be fun shot from these fun fun ladies". And they make it look so easy!!!

And a big treat is the hard hitting serious genealogist like John Humphrey, Lisa B. Lee, and Michael John Neill. SIGNED UP FOR SOME OF THESE!

Bloggers will be well represented so I certainly am planning to attend sessions with Randy Seaver, Elyse Doerflinger, Miriam Robbins Midkiff and OUR FURIOUS LEADER Thomas MacEntee.

The program is rounded out with sessions focusing on at least 15 ethnic groups, professional services and software merchants. So I have signed up with a few ethnic sessions that were focusing on record search for particular ethnic groups. I also signed up for sessions to some commercial vendors that I use or interested in their product.

All in all I scheduled myself for 16 sessions and two mini "laptop" classes. I have scheduled serious studies and some relaxing sessions.

By indicating the sessions I am interested in attending in no way obligates me to attend those sessions. The program planners just want a count of how many people will be interested in each subject matter.

I will have time to follow up with some of these subjects. Collect documents and remind myself which "ancestor family" was I thinking about when I decided to attend each particular presentation.

I am glad I took some quiet time to review the program in its entirety. I look forward to attending the Jamboree, to see "faces" to those books and articles, learn some new information (there is always something new!), meet new genealogy friends, and network with the "OL' Genealogy Community". See you there!!!

RootsMagic

Well my new focus to master ROOTSMAGIC was generously answered. I know sooner said that I wanted to thin my 25 item genealogy wish list to focus on 3 subjects----than my quest for more ROOTSMAGIC knowledge was answered.

Imagine my surprise when a fellow genealogist called me Friday Night and stated she wanted to attend:
Sat., April 17, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - COMPUTER GENEALOGY SOCIETY OF SAN DIEGO. Meeting
9:00 - User groups: RootsMagic.
(NOTE: This is a change -- there will be no footnote.com session).
10:00 - Break, refreshments.
10:15 - Announcements and Society Presentation.

The ROOTSMAGIC group meets once a month and last weekend was the regular ROOTSMAGIC Group Session. I do want more information on footnote but what a pleasant surprise.

Pam Pomeroy, a noted teacher of ROOTSMAGIC, was called just two days ago. (Hmmm I need to check my earlier blog as to when I stated I wanted to hone my skills on RootsMagic.) The footnote.com session was cancelled and would she please prepare a class on ROOTSMAGIC!!!

Yes a CLASS!!!! not just a group get together where the subjects can bounce around and you could or could not keep up.

AND!!! Her subjects for her ROOTSMAGIC class:

TIMELINES AND MAPPING

(Smile)

I could not have paid for a better class, with subjects more to my interest.

WOW WOW WOW

Not only simple timelines and maps but also complicated multi-lineage possibilities. Clear concise instructions ---Step by Step

To create a Timeline:
To create a Timeline on an individual

click Reports
click Lists
click Timeline
click Create Report
click Individual
Scroll and find individual from the list
Click on box next to the individual you wish to create a timeline
Click Create Report


To create a Timeline on a group:

click Lists
click Timeline
click Create Report
click Group List
Click Select from list
Scroll and find individuals from the list
Click on box next to the individuals you wish to include on your timeline
Click on Mark People
Select Family (choose one)
Click OK
Click OK
Click on Generate Report

Here we expanded a little on our knowledge of timelines;
To add National and World Events to our timelines it was suggested we try using

OURTIMELINES.COM a free website

To find out more about this site, the timeline web site was reviewed and blogged

14 Dec 2009 by Randy Seaver, www. genea-musings.com

To make a timeline of multi-persons birth and death dates only. It was suggested to Click Printer
Click Timeline Chart
Scroll and find individuals from the list
Click on names of individuals you wish to include on the timeline
Click Print Preview

Mapping was another subject taught in a similar step by step format;

To create a Map showing location of events of an individual
Click on Tools
Click on Mapping
Change Places to People in drop down menu
Use your curser to find the individual you wish to map.
Hit Enter.

Of special interest on mapping --- Pam showed us how she added places and dates under descriptions of her photos and the locations of the photos appeared on the map.

Pam asked us to experiment and report back on:

Using City and County names no longer in existence.
Working in GenSmarts in this application
and Color Coding family connections.

Pam Pomeroy is a gentle even-keel teacher easily understood. I am anxious to apply her teaching this week to my databases. I especially think it will be helpful as I prepare for my genealogy fact finding trips to different states and countries.

Attended Del Ritchhart's Presentation On Libraries

Researching at the Allen County Public Library
and the Family History Library
by Del Ritchhart

Del will discuss his visits last year to both the Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. He will describe the facilities and what is available at each, and will give suggestions about how to best prepare for your visit and effectively research there. His presentation will be augmented with extensive photos.
Del is a retired Navy captain and aerospace executive who has been active in San Diego genealogical organizations for about ten years. He is the current president of the Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego.

Location: Robinson Auditorium complex at UCSD, La Jolla. See a link to maps on our home page at www.cgssd.org.
Contact: cgssd-board@ucsd.edu

April Week of Blog Recognitions

Ancestor Approved Award

wow wow Thank you Genealogy Community for all your encouragement and support. Where to start?

Cutie Mavis Jones was the first to award me with the "Ancestor Approved Award".

Heather Rojo nominated my mother's lineage blog “Reed Cook Dearman” for the "Ancestor Approved Award"
Heather and I have found common ancestors and we enjoy sharing data together.

"Ruth at “Reed Cook Dearman” for blogging about her fun upcoming genealogy trip to England to research our common Chapin ancestors."

___________________________________________

Geni.com gave a shoot out for a blog I wrote: Ashiya McReynolds Cunningham was kind of enough to let me know that
Geni.com posted a blog: Ruth Himan, blogger "Genealogy is Ruthless without Me" http://genealogyisruthlesswithoutme.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-genealogy-wish-list.htmlGenealogy is Ruthless without Me:
My Genealogy Wish List
genealogyisruthlesswithoutme.blogspot.com
I am trying to prioritize my genealogy wish list. I am writing a list to better identify the significant things to me about genealogy research. To understand what part of genealogy makes me happy and fulfills my individual goals for myself.

Fellow Blogging friends monaveluz, Barbara and Joan also liked this Wish List Blog.
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A new fb friend; John Boggess on April 12 at 5:51pm commented on a blog at http://genealogyisruthlesswithoutme.blogspot.com/2010/04/Accuracy vs. Precision

John Boggess POSTED: Loved your article, and couldn't agree more!


Randy Seaver of Gena-musing also enjoyed this blog and awarded this blog one of the ten best for the week;

Best of the Genea-Blogs - Week of April 4-10, 2010

* Accuracy versus Precision by Ruth Himan on the Genealogy is Ruthless Without Me blog. Ruth suggests that the genealogy community adopt a standard for data quality, based on her life experiences and the state of online family trees.

All and all not bad for a week of blogging.

My Genealogy Wish List

I am trying to prioritize my genealogy wish list. I am writing a list to better identify the significant things to me about genealogy research. To understand what part of genealogy makes me happy and fulfills my individual goals for myself.

Truthfully, regarding genealogy --- I want it all!!! And I want it NOW.

At some point in my life around the half century mark, I recognize I can not have it all and I can not do it all. I am realizing the same with genealogy. There are just so many hours in a day, so much money in the bank, and so much get up and go in this body.

Once the shock wore off that I can not have it all and could not do it all, I had to resolve how to cope with this new life cycle. (Did I mention my husband and I raised 7 children, worked full time, and were heavily involved with community activities?) The thought that someday we would no longer be able to work at that pace had not come to mind to us.

To muddle through with this new life cycle, I find myself becoming a list maker and a prioritizer. (Yes, I do make up words when it serves me)

When I make list , I first start just brain dumping and put everything down on a piece of paper. Then I come up with some kind of criteria to prioritize the list. Example "Things to Do"
criteria "Must dos versus Wish to dos" and
Urgent versus Not urgent.
MUST and URGENT get the highest priority. Unless I do not like the task and then it goes on my husband's NAG (oops I meant to say, my husband's to-do) list.

So My Genealogy Wish List:

Find more direct-line ancestors
Breakdown brick walls
Visit cemeteries and take photos of grave markers
Visit places of significance of my ancestors and take photos (their church, their residence)
Stay involved with my local genealogy societies
Continue to associate and learn from other genealogist
Meet new cousins
Meet historians of the interesting places my ancestors lived
Travel over seas
Attend all genealogy conferences
Read all genealogy and history books
Become proficient at several genealogy software programs
Scan all my family photos and organize them all
Write books ---I am now in the midst of 5 such books right now
Plan a trip to Texas
Plan a trip to Ireland
Plan a trip to France
Work more on my nephews Italian ancestry
Get more people in my family interested in genealogy
Structure and present orations
Join more genealogy societies (Texas, Lake co.Tenn., Chapins Foundation,
Read all the genealogy periodicals published.
Master Roots Magic
Prepare comprehensive maps for each lineage
Have family reunions

Okay for right now; that is my list Now I can group them;

Group 1:
Plan a trip to Texas
Plan a trip to Ireland
Plan a trip to France
Visit cemeteries and take photos of grave markers
Visit places of significance of my ancestors and take photos (their church, their residence)
Meet historians of the interesting places my ancestors lived

Group 2:
Structure and present a subject of interest
Join more genealogy societies (Texas, Lake co.Tenn., Chapins Foundation,
Attend all genealogy conferences
Stay involved with my local genealogy societies
Continue to associate and learn from other genealogist
Read all the genealogy periodicals published.
Read all genealogy and history books

Group 3:
Become proficient at several genealogy software programs
Master Roots Magic
Prepare comprehensive maps for each lineage
Scan all my family photos and organize them all
Write books ---I am now in the midst of 5 such books right now

Group 4:
Get more people in my family interested in genealogy
Meet new cousins
Have family reunions
Work more on my nephews Italian ancestry
Find more direct-line ancestors
Breakdown brick walls

Final Analysis:

Plan trips to include:
Visit cemeteries and take photos of grave markers
Visit places of significance of my ancestors and take photos (their church, their residence)
Meet historians of the interesting places my ancestors lived

My trip to Texas is planned for December 2010
My trip to Ireland is planned for August 2010

Group 1 in the planning!!!




Share my unique individual genealogy experiences with others
Structure and present subjects of interest
Join more genealogy societies (Texas, Lake co.Tenn., Chapins Foundation,
Attend all genealogy conferences
Stay involved with my local genealogy societies
Continue to associate and learn from other genealogist
Read all the genealogy periodicals published.
Read all genealogy and history books

I have several presentations on my Grandma's Geni Camp scheduled already.

Group 2 on it's way

Become proficient at several genealogy software programs
Master Roots Magic
Prepare comprehensive maps for each lineage
Scan all my family photos and organize them all
Write books ---I am now in the midst of 5 such books right now

Mastering Roots Magic and careful input disciplines will go a long way to allowing the maps, books, and photos organize themselves.

Group 3 possible with the help of Roots Magic.


and Group 4 I think will be a natural fall out of these activities.

So I have my long exhaustive list of 25 items narrowed down to 3 priorities:

Plan and take my planned genealogy trips
Perfect my Grandma's Geni Camp presentation
Master Roots Magic

and most of all have fun.......

Sarah J Parker

Working on a lineage I was following a family from an Elizabeth "Betty" Parker B: 1753

I found she had a father named George Parker but the mother's name was just Sarah
the family lived in Maryland:

The mother "Sarah" was noted as being born in 1735 and died in 1772

imagination my surprise when searching history for this 1700 Sarah I kept getting an obituary page for

United States Obituary Collection
about Sarah Jessica Parker
Name of Deceased: Sarah Jessica Parker
Obituary Date: 5 Dec 2003

It also included

Other Persons Mentioned in Obituary: Matthew Broderick

If this was an isolated case ---- I probably would not copy it-----but I am constantly taken to very strange sites in Ancestry:

It almost seems Ancestry has something on "automatic" and not using what we have always called "bug finders" just groups of people set to find the non-consistencey, so someone could not just fix the occurance but find the root cause of the failure and fix the cause.

Compare With People From Your Family Treeabc Children (1)Elizabeth "Betty" Parker B: 1753

Sarah
B:1735
D:1772 in Worcester, Maryland, United States George Parker B:21 May 1734 in Somerset, Maryland, United States

Parents
UNKNOWN

UNKNOWN


You have saved this record to My Ancestry (Shoebox).
This record has been added to your shoebox.
United States Obituary Collection
about Sarah Jessica Parker
Name of Deceased: Sarah Jessica Parker
Obituary Date: 5 Dec 2003
Newspaper Title: Sun, The
Newspaper Location: Baltimore, MD, Us
Other Persons Mentioned in Obituary: Matthew Broderick


View full obituary

Save This Record
Attach this record to a person in your tree as a source record, or save for later evaluation.
Save

Source Citation: Newspaper: Sun, The; Publication Date: 5 Dec 2003; Publication Place: Baltimore , MD , Us..

Source Information:

Ancestry.com. United States Obituary Collection [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2006.
Original data: See newspaper information provided with each entry.

Description:
This database is a compilation of obituaries published in U.S. newspapers, collected from various online sources. Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as names, dates, places of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships. Learn more...
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Accuracy versus Precision

Although the two words can be synonymous in colloquial use, they are deliberately contrasted in the context of the scientific method.

Imagine my dismay when I listened to Ancestry.com explain their criteria for accepting data to post when they used the word ACCURACY. I think this is the core of my problem with Ancestry.com. This is probably a flawed side effect from working with engineering configurations for over 30+ years.

My suggested solution for Genealogist as a whole is to adopt a modified ISO 8000. Which is the international standard for data quality.

There are several well-known authors and self-styled experts, with Larry English perhaps the most popular. In addition, the International Association for Information and Data Quality (IAIDQ) was established in 2004 to provide a focal point for professionals and researchers in this field.

The standard governs data collection with several considerations including but not limited to:

1. Rules management
2. Metadata Verification and validation
3. Database sanitation including redundancy
4. Data Profiling

Rules management: Many genealogy software programs have set internal rule engines. Rule engine software is commonly provided as a component of a business rule management system which, among other functions, provides the ability to: register, define, classify, and manage all the rules, verify consistency of rules definitions. Examples Mothers must be at least 13 years of age. People do not have children over the age of 80. Parents do not marry their children.


Metadata Verification and validation: Assess whether metadata accurately describes the actual values in the source database.

Database sanitation including redundancy: Understanding data challenges early in any data intensive project, so that late tree project surprises are avoided. Finding data problems late in your research has caused more than one "professional level" genealogist to dump an entire lineage. (I purposely omitted the names here to protect the guilty, but you know who you are!!)

Therefore I call this data sanitation a phrase I made up when I was asked to analysis large data bases with data not monitored and controlled by myself. My boss would ask when would the report be ready --- depending on the missing data, incorrect data, typos, the answer would vary. Some genealogy programs help with this process by running "possible problem reports" for you. But each "suggestion must be examined carefully and evaluated as to how any changes would effect dependent joined data.

Rather than using any family tree on Ancestry.com or independent web sites. I have found it less time consuming to start from scratch and enter data independently. I often find by the 50th entry I run into a "not possible, probably not correct" data point.

Data Profiling: Several genealogy software programs helps with this by setting up quick easy to read charts and reports. Giving us for examples
Frequency counts: most of my ancestors should be in United States; I have no one born in Japan in my family database history so the largest number of occurrences of code should be USA. I should have no one born in Japan.

Although this seems bogus I have seen Names of Cities mistakenly entered as name of countries,
Statistics:
Minimum value: such as youngest person at death
Maximum value: example oldest person at death
Mean value (average): average age at marriage
Median value: All Civil War veterans lived within 1860----1870 or longer
Standard deviation

As in many scientific disciplines popular opinion does not make it FACT. When I realize "the experts" are basing their findings on popular vote (i.e. One of the Worse Offenders ONE WORLD CONNECT)I am reminded of the story of The Emperor's New Clothing.

It takes every muscle in my body to clamp my mouth shut. My Dearman and Chapyn lineage agree with no other lineage I have seen posted yet. And further more I am okay with that.

In the fields of engineering, industry and statistics, the accuracy of a measurement system is the degree of closeness of measurements of a quantity to its actual (true) value. The precision of a measurement system, also called reproducibility or repeatability, is the degree to which repeated measurements under unchanged conditions show the same results. Ergo if all family historians researched their own data, copied from Family Bibles, land deeds, census records, birth and death records we could use that data to do just as Ancestry.com suggests. Calculate precision based on reproducibility and repeatability. BUT if 20 family historians go in and copy unvalidated, unverified, family trees and then use loose rules of Design of Experiment. We have a very unstable database to almost being to the point as useless.

Then for the LDS to indicate that this will be the basis for their WORLD TREE.......HELP definition of stress: the energy used to prevent myself from screaming at these presentations!!!!

Los Angeles Library, with Chula Vista and San Diego Genealogy Society

We all met and traveled in a comfortable plush bus to Los Angels to visit the library. The bus was only about half full (approximately 25 people) and so not crowded and very comfortable.



Los Angeles Library, with Chula Vista and San Diego Genealogy Society
March 20, 2010,

I had never been to this library before so I was amazed at the size and architecture of the library. Four Floors down and Four Floors up!! The last fourth bottom floor was the genealogy floor. A guide met with the new comers and explained the layout of half of the bottom floor. We were instructed to the way to get periodicals, closed case books, copies and find micrfiche, films and reference books.

Virginia kindly found a table for four and we sat to study.

Susi Pentico met with a cousin from the Foulk/Myers line and shared data.
Her cousin Julie arrived, pulled up a chair to the table next to Susi and they discussed FOULK and MYERS, MEYERS, MOYERS the entire time we were there until the trip end. Susi had a lot to share with this cousin and they found new data also.

The library is large enough to have food stations. We ate at a Chinese fast food found right inside the library for lunch and returned later in the day for a yogurt dessert.
From Susi's blog I copied:
Virgina learned some great information and Ruth found a plat map with Dearman,
Shirley learned some clues also in her lines.
Ruth got the maps copied and we made the bus on time.

Book Review : Who Do You Think You Are?: The Essential Guide to Tracing Your Family History,

Last February it was announced
"Ancestry.com and NBC Team Up to Introduce New 'Who Do You Think You Are?' Series

This series was a big hit in UK. Lisa Kudrow, the former "Friends" star, is not only the subject of one of the episodes of "Who Do You Think You Are?" but one of the executive producers. She was captivated by the original British version of the show.

"I fell in love with the show," she said. "I thought it was fantastic and wanted to know why we don't get to have that in the U.S."

The series of 7 celebrities interviewed as they find their ancestors is very well written and researched. Not only are we treated to seeing these celebrities find their families------we are introduced and treated to meeting the true heroes (IMHO)of this series the well known, educated, devout, dedicated genealogist from all over the world.

In the episode with Emmett Smith ---yes the big hunk of a football player meets with
Megan Smolenyak!!!

As these stars, producers, genealogist collaborated to create this great series ---- Of course it followed that Megan Smolenyak with her easy, smooth contemporary style helped us out with a companion book to this very demanding and sometimes confusing subject of genealogy.

In the Genealogy Community Daily family researchers were anxiously anticipating their book arrivals. The genealogy blogs, facebook, and twitters were ablaze with praise for this book. So it was ironic when Megan posted recently:

Megan Smolenyak: Could I ask y'all a favor? If you've read my #WDYTYA companion book, would you mind sharing a review on Amazon.com? Thanks! #genealogy

Did we forget to tell Amazon how much we appreciated the book??!?? That was very amiss of us. Amazon.com was faithful to early efficient delivery. We did not have long from release date of the book to the airing of the first episode of "WDYTYA" to get our copies in our hot little hands.
Why were we so excited to receive this book? and Who is Megan? I copied the following from Megan's website.......


http://www.honoringourancestors.com/aboutus.html

Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak (yes, that's her real name) is a genealogical adventurer who loves solving mysteries, making unexpected discoveries and pushing the boundaries of conventional genealogy. Since 1999, she's worn many hats in the family history world, including Chief Family Historian and spokesperson for Ancestry.com the largest genealogical company in the world, creator of RootsTelevision.com a pioneering online channel of free videos and winner of four Telly Awards and founder of UnclaimedPersons.org a volunteer group that assists coroners and medical examiners.

A popular writer, speaker and TV guest, she does all she can to get the g-word out there and inspire others in their quest for roots. Megan is a Huffington Post contributor, and was determined to be the most influential Twitter user on the topic of genealogy. Her most recent book is

Who Do You Think You Are?: The Essential Guide to Tracing Your Family History, companion guide to the NBC series.

Meagan's companion book to this series allows the reader/viewer a more thorough understanding to the introduction of genealogy. Megan uses a straightforward gentle approach to a study that can be very demanding and confusing.

Many genealogy resources are dry, technical and presumptuous. I have for years been reading and digesting pompous outdated, and difficult to comprehend accounts of family historians written over the last four centuries. In my particular case, especially my REED family, either wrote in such a pompous, higher than almighty manner explaining how we can trace our lineage to Noah (no I am not kidding!!!) or the back country language of the previous centuries. This companion book was a refreshing welcome respite from my heavy reading.
This book is a basic, measured variation written for the contemporary reader.


Thank you Megan for bringing it all down to the basics and writing this wonderful companion book. There is a lot of technicality that went into the "telling of these histories". You did a great job of helping us to enjoy and share this series even more.