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.

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.......

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".

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

Top Ten Genealogy Moments in 2009

Top Ten Genealogy Moments in 2009
Lisa Alzo, who writes The Accidental Genealogist blog, posted her Top 10 Genealogical Moments of 2009 and invited other genea-bloggers to write about theirs too.

Top 10 Genealogical Moments in 2009:

Chronilogically?? or by Importance??

ok 10 in no particular order.

1. A moment of genealogy community acceptance by being asked to be the Sunshine Person for the Chula Vista Genealogy Society. Does it sound like a made up position? Well it is ---Shirley Becker came up with the post and I was accepted annoumiously.

2. A moment of surprise when the LATimes called to interview me regarding my Grandma's Geni Camp that I conducted for a week with my grandchildren.

3. A moment of accepted family connection meeting "new" cousins Martha Jane Good Caswell, Preston Bell, Lonnie Potter, and David Reed.

4. A moment of accomplishment receiving Eliza Jane Mooring Hayley Works pension application regarding the great grandfather my father never knew, Captain John William Hayley.

5. A moment of feeling that somebody-out-there-understood-what-I-really-wanted-in-a -software-program ROOT MAGIC 4

6. A moment of collaboration with my Aunt Helen showing her that we had over 200 relatives that are ready to be presented for temple.

7. A sense of being a part of history: Connecting the Needhams and the Hayleys in Jamestown 1640 and realizing their off springs (my g-g-parents) marry in 1850.

8. The moment of devastation I felt when I realized what my family survived during and post Civil War.

9. A moment of validation connecting with so many genealogist verifing, and relating to my family history.

10. A moment of responsibility and purpose when I realized that I am the Family Historian and need to complete this work to the best of my ability.

LPC means "likely to become pauper.

My sister-in-laws ancestors came to America around the turn of the century 1880-1910 from Sicily. Unbelieveably the records have been accessible and has only taken a few weeks of research thus far. We did find one passanger held for inquiry for LPC. Another relative of my sister-in-law's mother wrote back what LPC meant on the manifestos.


Donna Cruzze wrote:
LPC means "likely to become pauper."

...but during the 1932 campaign he (Hoover) had taken credit for "rigidly restricted immigration." Thus, with the kind of creative reinterpretation of the law usually credited to his immediate successor, Hoover completely changed the meaning of the "l.p.c. clause." In 1882 the original phrase had been "paupers or persons likely to become a public charge" and the intent had been to exclude, not poor persons, but persons incapable of supporting themselves. But Hoover's claim of credit was misleading. The new administrative interpretation of the "l.p.c. clause" had actually begun at the tail end of the Coolidge administration. As early as September 1928 the State Department instructed American consular officials in Mexico to apply standards more stringently. Hoover's directive gave consular officials enormous latitude, which some used with murderous effect a few years later. The new interpretation of the old clause was eventually stretched so that many consuls were able to require immigrants either to have substantial assets in their possession or a sponsor in the US who would file an affidavit attesting a willingness to support the immigrant if necessary and an ability to do so.

Roger Daniels, Charles Phelps Taft Professor Emeritus of History
University of Cincinnati


I then replied to Donna about my special interest in genealogy:

I always meant to get a chance to "look LPC up". But very very interesting. One of the major reasons I am doing these studies is to fill the gap in our children's history of America. This is so important information when people complain about the immigration laws now. I hear complaints because the paperwork is not done fast as they think it should take, or they have to wait in line for 3-4 hours. Our ancestors went through a lot to make "our" America today. I want some of this history of the hardship people endured be taught to our grandchildren so they can become a little more appreciative.

To which Donna replied:::
Over the years I have done the following. While traveling across the desert, in the middle of nowhere, I stop the car and have them get out. I point to the horizon (and it is hot, hot, hot) and I say "how would you like to cross this desert in a covered wagon with no air conditioning and only make 3 miles a day until you covered the 400 mile trip we are making today. That is what our pioneer ancestors did.

To which I reply:
Just keeping it real for our KIDS

Packing for a trip

My mother's youngest sister is coming to visit and help me with some genealogy studies. My aunt has photos, documents, access to the LDS files etc. So as my aunt as gathering letters and documents to come visit she indicated she was planning to ship the genealogy resources before hand so she had less to carry on the plane. I went into an automatic panic!!! I suggested my aunt ship me her clothing and carry the documents. We discussed it and decided we knew what was much more valuable. We could always replace clothing. But to risk the documents to any carrier was just too frightening for us. We would not be able to breath the whole time the documents were in transit. So it is decided -- Aunt will ship the clothing and pack the documents as a carry-on. Phew!!! that was a close one!!!