BURBANK JAMBOREE JUNE 2010

Paula Hinkles wrapped up another fantastic Jamboree. Many "non-genealogist" vendors did not come through with their services. Paula Hinkle was very busy and resourceful in solving this issues. Every event has break downs, miscommunication and challenges. It is a tribute to Paula's experience and professionalism as to the nearly seamless way Paula took each incident under control and solved the issue.

I had an amazing time; I drove down Thursday night with my friend, Ann Diffley. Friday morning we visited the SCGS library. For such a small library, the books were marvelous. There were plenty of volunteers to help find sources and plenty of tables and chairs to accommodate the 75 plus patrons. I found 3 very important resources for my research.
1. A book that---Explained the school land grants that were given to people willing to teach in Eastland, Texas in the 1870s when my g g grandmother was widowed with six children.
2. A book of records listing the American Revolution Military regiment numbers, muster dates, and service records for over 2 dozen Chapin men of Springfield, Mass.
3. The 23rd Genealogist Psalm.

All week end we met and greeted old friends and new friends. I took many photos that I am preparing to post in my blogs.

Saturday evening we were entertained by Alex (author of Roots) Haley's nephew, Chris Haley. Chris Haley is in the entertainment industry and treated us to theatre musical singing. Chris also explained projects the Alex Haley foundation will release in the near future. These projects included adding more states to their research and possibly slaves of Canada.

Saturday morning consisted of two hours of instructions, tips, and sharing of bloggers. (I will expand on these sessions in another Blog)

I participated in Lisa Louise Cook'S Genealogy Gem podcast (another Blog)and won a ROOTSMAGIC TREE SOFTWARE CD from Bruce Buzbee.

Saturday afternoon I had the wonderful experience of meeting Lisa Lee. GOT GENEALOGY? (another blog)

I met Dick Eastman, and ran Michael John Neil down in the hallways---Michael was a very popular speaker. (I will write another blog explaining why I was banned from attending MJN's class!!)

My friend, Ann and I again ate light and cheap during the Jamboree! We did swim in the hotel pools. Saturday night we watched a Miley Cyrus movie (Last Song) on the pay per view.

Sunday we ate in our room with foods we brought from home, instant oatmeal, and crackers with peanut butter and jam, washed down with lovely cups of tea. Yum

We scanned photos using an awesome set up provided by Ancestry.coms. I met several book authors, and visited each and every exhibit booth. (Book reviews will follow in upcoming blogs)

There were new products, including a very awesome magnifying light but it was 39 dollars marked down to 26 dollars---too rich for my blood. There were old articles and magazines for sale also. I purchased THE SECOND BOAT vol 4 nos 1-4 for 10 cents a piece. (Another blog).


This blog was only an overview of the Burbank Jamboree. To do justice to the week end, I choose to give some of these findings a separate blog.

Follow UP to genealogy-in-neighborhood-south-bay

Susi Pentico blogged about the activities of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society (CVGS)
at http://susischattyperformances.blogspot.com/2010/06/genealogy-in-neighborhood-south-bay.html



Lately PROs and CONs of Joining Genealogical Societies have been discussed in the genealogy blogs, posts, and seminars of late. There have been Blog Carnivals created to focus on the subject of Genealogical Societies. I can not speak about all Genealogical Societies but, in my short time of 18 months with CVGS, I would like to add to Susi's blog.

Led by President Gary Brock and a talented, experienced governing board, CVGS has done an excellent job of serving it's members while Outreaching to the Chula Vista Community.

The term began by Randy Seaver conducting a member interest and study methodology survey. The results of the survey was analyzed and published. Other societies have asked for copies of Randy's survey. Next time I see him, actually I see him an average of twice a week, I will ask him if it will be okay to share.

Halfway through the boards term a new Programs Chairperson was appointed and approved. Barbara I. filled the position and arranged some very interesting programs including Hank Jones on Genealogy Serendipity, a very special program reaching out to our retirement community, Handwriting Analysis, and an Antique Show. Soon after that another change was necessary and Suzi Pentico stepped in to help with Programs. Suzi arranged for outreach classes to compliment the monthly presentations. An excellent example of this was scheduling long time researcher and CVGS member, Shirley Becker, to conduct an "Estate Wills" class. The tie in to the Handwriting Analysis Presentation is Wills often show an example of your ancestors handwriting. Society members were encouraged to submit an example of those ancestors handwriting for one to one analysis.

Despite several changes in the position, high quality monthly presentations were offered to the membership. To round out the two year, Board term, the remaining Presentations and Outreach classes are focusing back to the membership survey results.

Our exciting OCT 2nd Seminar chaired by Susi Pentico will have guest speaker Jean Hibben. Jean has graciously offered to customize her presentation to focus on nine of the ten top interest subjects requested by our membership.

Chula Vista Genealogy Society began the year 2010 with an April seminar focusing on GETTING STARTED referencing the WDYTYA television series with monthly presentations and outreach classes and will finish with an Oct 2 seminar "NOW WHERE DO YOU GO?".

As mentioned above, the "NOW WHERE DO YOU GO?" Oct 2nd seminar presented by Chula Vista Genealogical Society will summarize all the GETTING STARTED presentations and outreach classes and demonstrate practical use, more detail information and examples of putting those subjects of interest to use on exploring WHO YOU ARE, the next step to finding your family story.

It is not FRIDAY BUT follow over to Mountaingenealogy anyways!!

Mountaingenealogy
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Sentimental Sunday - Documenting the Silliness
Documenting The Silliness!


What a wonderful way to wake up this Sunday Morning!!!!

Documenting the silliness, documenting the sentimental. When I read Cyndi Beane Henry's post this morning, I immediately went to reminisce about my own grandfather and his quirky sayings and stories.

Which brings me to a recent conversation I had with someone about the value placed on presentations, seminars, and resources.

Facts versus Memories;

Teaching people to find, cite and record facts versus reminding people to write their memories of time past.


Even the true genealogist will say it is the "dash" that matters.

We are going to have to start documenting the originators of some of these sayings. I heard the "dash" theory long ago but then heard it again recently and the audience assumed it originated with the present speaker.

Some think the dash means, occupations, family moves, awards, hobbies, etc.

So maybe it is not the dash but the spaces around the dash that is of interest to so many that sometimes the purest of genealogist misses.

It is when I read inspiring blogs like Cindi's above, or stare out a window, or in that quiet moment just before I awake. That special moment between sweet dreams and the stretch and yawn, when I have to remind myself again that I can not just get on the phone and call grandpa. I can not ask him about his garden, or the weather in LA, who has been by for a visit, or what he ate for dinner.

It is that space around the dash, that memory of how grandpa always finished the story of Jack and the Bean Stalk. The way he finished it for me, my cousins, my children and my grandchildren. That place where that last picture in Cindi's blog belongs.

I attended, A presentation recently that encouraged the audience to relax and reach back in their mind of memories. OBTW A statement like that would put my husband to scratching his head and say WTF???? The presenter was trying to allow people to get in touch with their "known ancestors", to open themselves up to memories there but had been buried under raising children, life, clutter in our minds. WOW WOW although many newbies really liked the presentation --- some hardcore genealogist indicated the presentation was ridiculous.

I met with an attendee just after this presentation and she was excited!!! A little unrealistic as to what she thought I could accomplish in four hours but enthused nevertheless. She anxiously made a new appointment with me.

Then I took my newbie to a recent presentation intended for newbies. The problem with the presenter was he assumed everyone in the room had at least 6 months experience on the computer, knew what a pedigree chart was, and quickly explained the benefits of visiting a Family History Library. Some experienced genealogy teachers indicted the presentation was ridiculous.

Here I want to share the experience I had with a newbie after the later presentation. We went to the Family History Library. A trained qualified counselor approached us. I was very pleased to release the newbie as the counselor stepped her through the steps of the FHL. My newbie was not happy and wanted me to help her. So I approached her and stepped her through the sections, resources, procedures of the library. Then we went to the Internet computers. It became very obvious that my newbie needed practice using a mouse before we could get much further along. She kept raising the mouse off the table and pointing it to the monitor. It was not a wireless mouse.


I think there is enough appreciation to encourage and praise everyone for good works. Give respect and courtesy to those trying.

It is not a contest; it is an individual sport; every one's goals are not the same.
And for me ---- I am so very very proud of everyone.

I am always a winner when I communicate a little more data to my family, I find a new relative (dead or alive), or I make a new friend via genealogy.

I appreciate recognition, comments, suggestions from the genealogy community. And I know most genealogist do also. It is darn hard work, hours of dedication, and well deserved recognition. I am aware that not everyone agrees as to what is worthy genealogy work. But Cindi's Sentimental Sunday today is also genealogy work of the best kind!!!!! IMHO

MyHeritage.com Announces Its Top 100 Genealogy Sites

MyHeritage.com Announces Its Top 100 Genealogy Sites


I am greatly honored and very appreciative of this recognition. I thank all my mentors and many friends I have in the genealogy community.

It is very rewarding to do something you love to do. The teachers, mentors, and fellow students of genealogy are just such an added bonus to this tribute to my family.

When my family reads "THEIR" story, they will know I had wonderful friends and encouragement along the way.

Thank you MY HERITAGE.COM for honoring my site as one of your TOP 100 GENEALOGY SITES.

ALSO HATS OFF TO THE 99 OTHER SITES!!!! MANY OF YOU HAVE BECOME MY GENEALOGY NETWORK FRIENDS AND IT IS AN HONOR TO BE INCLUDED WITH SUCH FINE DEDICATED GENEALOGIST.

No problem Jason, I had plenty to keep me busy.

Ruth Himan posted to facebook ancestry.com does not want us to work on our trees today.......I have new cousins that want data eeeeeek: Posted 5/8/10 at 2:24pm Friends of Friends ·

Margaret Ann Tull answered with: Although the tree icon isn't there one can Click " Visit your tree now" and it will open up to your trees, then select the tree needed and you are ready to go.

To which Jason replied 5/8/10 at 3:41pm · Jason Peddicord They are telling you to take a day or two off and give them a brake :)~


No problem Jason, I had plenty to keep me busy. I blogged your mother's, mine and your maternal lineage. We have a new cousin Chad a direct descendent of Grandma Alta's sister Ida Elizabeth who is unraveling the Dearman saga. I have just spent the last two years on that line with your mother so I am rather confident I have it straight. And have sourced the data in a number of places. I just need to compile the data and give it to him asap. I feel terrible when I know I can unravel data but need to compose the report to make the data clear and searchable. I sometimes feel pulled in 2,4,16,32,64,128,256,512,.......ways. lol FOCUS, RUTH, FOCUS....and then Saturday Night Geni fun starts and I am off on another tangent. And I still owe stuff on Elizabeth Jane White Carter to a new cousin in New Mexico. But I am going to San Jose at the end of May and I will look in dad's closet for those CARTER pics. Plus I am planning, writing letters in preparation to visit dad's hometown in October!!!!

I have always been very good at multi-tasking but this genealogy stuff is certainly challenging that skill that I had honed in years ago. I raised 7 kids, worked full time and was involved in community activities and was not challenged as much as I am now with this genealogy.

One thing for sure I am going to post a couple of timelines because my two Williams (William B. Dikes, John William Hayley), keep getting mixed up in my mind. Both fought in the Civil War (one Texan,one Tenn, both Confederates), both came back from the war but died 4 or 5 years after returning at still an early age (35-40 years of age), both left widows and small children, both had family cemeteries but I have been unable to find their final resting places. Grandchildren of theirs marry in Kansas in 1920's. (Grandpa Claude Wm Hayley and Grandma Etta Mae Dikes).

And Debi Sue sent me a box of pictures to scan, archive and label.

Do I sound a little scattered???

Setting alarm clocks now: work on a project for awhile ---- switch --- BUT I need to be a lot further along than I am right now. The problem is setting short goals in genealogy. Everytime you complete one project, it spawns at least two more projects (the parents!!)

Follow Friday

http://georgiablackcrackers.blogspot.com/

by Mavis Jones

Mavis has a beautiful style of writing. She honors and respects her ancestors with dignity and grace. Congratulations Mavis, on a well thought out blog spot.

It's Saturday and time for another Saturday Night Genealogy Fun challenge from Randy Seaver over at Genea-Musings:Your mission, if you decide to accept it, is to:

1) Answer the question: How did I advance my genealogy research today? [Or, this past week? Or this past month?]

2) Answer the question: How did I advance my genealogy education today? [Or past week? or past month?]

3) Share your answers on your own blog post, on a comment to this post, or on a Facebook status or comment on this note on Facebook.

Here's mine:

Today I would have to call Aunt Ida Elizabeth Dearman day. I advanced my research by adding more to the life of Ida E. Dearman. Ida was my Great grandmother's more frail sister. The woman, my mother was named after, was a double aunt to my mother. Ida and Lulu married brothers Henry and John Cook. Trellis a dear cousin of my mother was raised by my grandmother along with Alta's younger brothers (Uncle Lloyd who always hung around with Uncle Bert). As a child I was often confused regarding this family.

The reason Aunt Ida came up is because I met a new cousin Chad from Texas, Chad is trying to piece the Dearman family together. And it is through Henry and Ida he is descended. Once I explained two sisters Ida and Lulu married brothers Henry and John Cook. His email of OHHHHHHHHHHH! that explains a lot, reminded me when a double cousin from Texas explained it to me. I need to try to get ahold of that lovely lady that I have lost contact. Some how over the last 20 years we have lost contact.

This week I advanced my knowledge of metes and bounds, rods and chains thanks to a presentation by Myrna Goodwin at our monthly general meeting in Chula Vista, California. I knew it was a set of measurements from the past but Myrna Goodwin gave an excellent explanation complete with the actual conversions, numbers and photograph of the instruments of survey so many years ago.

I participate in some genealogy challenges in this blog format in an effort to share with my family just a glimpse of the "fun" that goes into understanding the families that lived, and combined to make our family as we know each other today.