Voting? Genealogy too!

Paula Stuart-Warren  Association of Professional Genealogists, Federation of Genealogical Societies, Genealogical Societies, Minnesota Genealogical Society  Leave a comment

I really don’t think there should be a question mark in that title. Whether it be our national, state, county, or city elections it should not be a question. I feel it is a right, a privilege and a duty. I’d like to take that a step further and talk about organizations. Churches, schools, civic groups, businesses, and other entities also have elections. But today I want to talk about our genealogical organizations.

Let’s say you receive a ballot for your genealogical society’s elections in the mail. It might require finding a pen and then a stamp to return it. You read it quickly, form some opinions, but set it aside to take care of later. Three months later you find it under a stack of paper on your kitchen counter or desk. The deadline has passed. The society’s newsletter announces the election results. Doggone it, that candidate you were planning on NOT voting for is a winner. You worked on a committee with that person and know they did not follow through, missed too many meetings, etc. What if that person beat their opponent by just one vote? Your vote
does count. You missed the boat on this one big time. Being elected to a post in our genealogical societies is an honor but more importantly it is a job. Being a member of the organization means we have jobs, too. One of those is voting. Don’t ignore it.

Maybe your society has gone to electronic voting. That make the job of voting even easier. Take part in the voting right away whether it be by mail, email, or visiting a secure website. We need to make sure that our organizations have competent individuals in the various jobs.

You? Are you a member of one or more genealogical organizations? One where you live for the camaraderie, support, and education. The other members likely have as many various ancestral locations as you do. Join one or more groups in your ancestral localities in the U.S. and in other countries.Don’t stop with just paying your membership dues, get involved and at some point, be active on committees, and later run for the board or an officer position. We all need to do our part. I served on the Board of the Minnesota Genealogical Society for six years, was an officer of the Association of Professional Genealogists, and currently serve on the Board of Directors of the Federation of Genealogical Societies. Have you taken your turn yet?

Don’t forget to go to your local polling location in the United States on Tuesday, November 2d to elect people to serve you at the local, state, and national levels. See you there!

Great Weekend in Portland, Oregon

Paula Stuart-Warren  Conferences, Seminars  Leave a comment

I just returned from a great weekend in Portland where I presented an all day seminar for the Genealogical Forum of Oregon. The audience was attentive and the folks who got me from one place to another treated me so wonderfully. I thank Connie, Leslie, April, Gerry, Tom, Jeanette, and all the others who did all the work to make the seminar and my weekend run well.

As usually happens I had some fun conversations with fellow genealogists who had roots in Minnesota or who had lived here themselves. I only wish some of them were distant cousins who could fill in some of my missing ancestral details!

I had a surprise after my first lecture as I was talking to some of the registrants and answering their questions. A woman walked up and I realized it was Luci Baker Johnson from the Seattle area. She took the train down (with Peri Muhich) to surprise me. Luci is a former resident of St. Paul, Minnesota. She wasn’t the only longtime friend I saw at the event. Ruth, Janice, Sue, Jim, Eileen, Pat, and a few others were there. A fun day!

After the seminar I was fortunate to spend some time at the GFO library. This is a huge collection covering all parts of the U.S. and many foreign locations. I was impressed with the many shelves of WPA Historical Records Surveys of courthouses! And these included counties far beyond Multnomah. I also liked that current issues of various genealogical, historical, and family periodicals are right out on easily accessible shelves. The library has an extensive microfilm collection, some original records from the county, and indexes to many Oregon and Portland area records. If you live in the area, be sure to visit this library. Check the GFO website for the address and hours.

Fire destroys house in Utah, but genealogy materials preserved

Paula Stuart-Warren  Preservation  Leave a comment

I regularly read the Salt Lake Tribune online and today was catching up on some of that reading and saw this amazing story. A home in Wellsville, Utah was almost completely destroyed by a fire. Such a scary thought for anyone and for a genealogist with decades of family history materials the word fire strikes terror. This is a story that is different.

The article state, “Matt Leishman said he was surprised to go through the rubble of his parents’ home Monday afternoon and find one room that was virtually untouched — the one containing many years’ worth of his mother’s family genealogical records. The family was able to fully recover all the documents related to the family history, although some were soaked with water.”

Read the full story by clicking here.

Family History Month and Halloween: celebrate together

Paula Stuart-Warren  Cemeteries, Cemetery  1 Comment

It’s easy to do this by taking advantage of a cemetery tour in your area. October brings historical cemetery tours in many localities. Beware of the ghosts!

I found these examples:

The easy way to find them is to do a keyword search in your favorite search engine. Try keyword combinations like these:

  • cemetery tour history
  • cemetery tour histor*
  • Halloween cemetery tour
  • cemetery tour Atlanta
  • cemetery tour St. Paul
  • cemetery tour Tennessee

LaCrosse, Wisconsin Library to receive special award

Paula Stuart-Warren  Libraries, Research  Leave a comment

On October 24th, the La Crosse Public Library’s Archives “will receive the 2010 Governor’s Award for Archival Achievement. It recognizes not only the library’s extensive archives but the ways they’ve been made accessible, [Wisconsin] state archivist Peter Gottlieb said.
“A lot of archives are content to wait for people to find them,” Gottlieb said. “What makes Anita’s [Anita Doering] program a natural winner is the initiative to connect what you have with how you can help people. They’re not passive. They really get out there in front of people.”

You may read the full story in the LaCrosseTribune.

Visit the library’s Genealogy section of its website for details on the great holdings. It’s been a while since I researched there, but I remember it was a good place for research. This is also a helpful library if you have Winona, Minnesota family connections.

Need a speaker for your group’s 2011 genealogical or historical event?

Paula Stuart-Warren  Conferences, Seminars  Leave a comment

I am currently booking my speaking services for 2011 genealogical, ethnic, and historical society events. I also enjoy speaking for family, reunion, civic, church, and other groups. I don’t book for every week, but do have plenty of available dates for 2011. A few inquiries about 2012 events have already been received.

My presentations are lively, educational, entertaining, and the day includes time for questions and answers. When I am with your group I am all yours! I love to interact with your attendees and share my genealogical expertise and knowledge with them. Not only do I talk about the wonderful records, I tell your registrants how to find these records, the ways in which they are useful, and the various ways to advance their own expertise. Reviews by audiences tell me that I keep them awake, informed, and that they want me to return. I bring my own computer and projector for a PowerPoint presentation and each lecture is accompanied by an extensive handout.

Once we are under contract, I promote your event on this blog in two ways. First is as a couple of posts that get seen by thousands of genealogists who either view the blog or see the posting via a reader. Second, I also add it to my list (see right hand column) of places where I will be making appearances. There is a live link to your organization’s website so that readers may obtain registration and other details.

If your group provides me with a quantity of flyers or brochures about the event at which I speak, I will distribute these at other events and at libraries and historical societies I visit (where permitted).

When your society books me for a full day event (up to and including 4 lectures), I am happy to add in one of my lighter luncheon or dinner talks at no extra charge. Please contact me via email: [email protected] with information on your group and the approximate date of your event. I will respond with my availability for your date and include as an attachment my full Speaker’s Information Packet. This includes biographical and resume information, list of topics, capsule descriptions, cost, and arrangements detail. If you would also like references, just let me know.

Blog Action Day 2010 Water

Paula Stuart-Warren  Uncategorized  Leave a comment

Today thousands of bloggers from over 125 different countries are writing about about water issues in their communities and around the world. I thought about this in my life and the lives of my ancestors.

Today water access and shortages affect us all and that includes all the countries where my ancestors were born. I remember thinking about how neat outdoor water pumps were when I visited farms as a child. Most of my ancestors didn’t even have that luxury. They likely had to carry water to their homes from some distant source. Today that has not change for many residents of our world, even in this 21st Century.

I have lived at the edge of a small town where we did not have city water. The well water wasn’t even responding kindly to treatment and the water was not drinkable, clothing was ruined in the laundry, and showers weren’t exactly refreshing. Imagine having that problem day in and day out in many countries.

Reading about water issues over the past year has given me the impetus to buy less individual bottles of water, to not let the shower run more than needed, and to be so grateful for rain. Every time you think it is time to green up that lawn, stand in that shower for 30 minutes, or to do only small loads in the washer or dishwasher, remember that many others have access to very little water and that the water supply in many places is not increasing.

Read more about water conditions worldwide at http://blog.blogactionday.org/

Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy Deadline

Paula Stuart-Warren  Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy  Leave a comment

The 2011 edition of the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy will be held January 10-14 at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City. This is less than two blocks from the Family History Library. It’s always been a great place for an institute because you can learn so much from a variety of fantastic instructors over 5 days and then put it to use each day at the FHL. I just checked and there is still room in some of the courses. The registration deadline to save $25.00 is October 31st. The fee for courses is $320 by 31 Oct 2010, thereafter $345. Includes course materials, an orientation breakfast, and the Friday night banquet. less than Evening classes and additional breakfast or dinner tickets are extra. You may register online and just charge it to your credit card. It’s a simple process.

This includes the intermediate course on American Records and Research that I coordinate. 2011 is my 13th year at SLIG. A couple of features of this course that are different from others are the extensive hands-on work in both class and at the FHL. Each registrant in this course has the opportunity for a guided tour of the FHL with some inside tips. Also you may sign up for one-on-one consultations. All this is included in the course fee. You actually get more than the 20 hours that most other courses offer. The list of classes is at the Utah Genealogical Association’s website.

You might also be interested in the guide to Salt Lake City that appeared in today’s Salt Lake Tribune.

Pennsylvania State Archives closing for 4 months

Paula Stuart-Warren  Archives, Research, Research trips  Leave a comment

According to a press release, the Pennsylvania State Archives will close from Oct. 18 through Feb. 3, 2011, for needed renovations. October 16th is the last day researchers can visit the facility in person, but the staff will continue to respond to telephone, e-mail, and postal inquiries during the renovations.

“Barbara Franco, PHMC executive director, said the $250,000 project will expand and modernize the existing lobby and public research areas. A larger vestibule is required to facilitate access for people with disabilities and will include automatic doors. The work will provide more space for the increasing number of researchers, as well as new wiring and additional computers to improve access to the collections. Security systems will also be upgraded.”

A good reason to double check with a research repository before any research trip. Visit the PA State Archives website to learn more.

Salt Lake Christmas Tour adds Thomas MacEntee

Paula Stuart-Warren  Family History Library, Salt Lake City  Leave a comment

I just received this press release from Leland Meitzler. This sounds like a great experience.

THOMAS MACENTEE JOINS 2010 SALT LAKE CHRISTMAS TOUR
Featured Speaker To Offer Technology Education for Genealogists

October 13, 2010 – Bountiful, Utah: The 2010 Salt Lake Christmas Tour – an annual genealogy event in its 26th year and celebrating its 25th anniversary – is pleased to announce that noted genealogist and technology educator Thomas MacEntee will be joining in the holiday fun as its featured speaker. The Tour takes place beginning Sunday, December 5, 2010 and runs through Saturday, December 11, 2010 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Over a five-day period, MacEntee will offer eight different presentations covering various aspects of genealogy and how technology and social media can be used to expand the genealogy experience. Topics include “Building a Research Toolbox,” “Facebook for Genealogists,” “Build a Genealogy Blog,” and “Twitter: It Isn’t Just ‘What I Had For Breakfast’ Anymore.”

The Salt Lake Christmas Tour ( www.SaltLakeChristmasTour.com ) is an annual event attracting genealogists and family historians and is renowned for the genealogy research success of its attendees, many of whom come back year after year. The Tour provides the highest ratio of professional researchers to attendees of any genealogy research tour utilizing the Family History Library located in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Throughout 2010, Thomas MacEntee has been covering the United States and Canada presenting technology education to genealogists and family historians in an easy-to-learn format. All presentations demonstrate applications such as Facebook and Twitter in real time and include cheat sheets and other handy reference materials.

Leland Meitzler, of Family Roots Publishing Company and owner/organizer of the Salt Lake Christmas Tour, says “we think that this year’s Tour not only offers an excellent research opportunity at the Family History Library but also provides a way to increase your technology knowledge especially as it pertains to genealogy. Thomas has a way of making technology approachable no matter what your computer skills.”

Register before October 31, 2010 to take advantage of special savings and to reserve your space on the Salt Lake Christmas Tour. Not only will you be amazed at the progress you can make in your genealogy research, but you’ll do so in good company and be able to witness the sights and sounds of Christmas in Salt Lake City.

About Thomas MacEntee
As a genealogist specializing in the use of technology and social media to improve genealogical research and to interact with others in the family history community, Thomas MacEntee relies upon his 25 years of experience in the information technology field. And as the creator of GeneaBloggers.com, he has organized and engaged a community of over 1,300 bloggers to document their own journeys in the search for ancestors. Thomas shares his knowledge of technology and experience as a genealogist with others through various forms of social media and speaking engagements. Through his business High-Definition Genealogy, he provides consulting services in the genealogy industry covering such areas as market research, education, technology and more. Thomas MacEntee is available nationwide for presentations and classes focusing on social media and technology as a way to assist genealogists and genealogical societies.

About the Salt Lake Christmas Tour
The Salt Lake Christmas Tour specializes in professionally assisted genealogy research at the world-famous Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Now in its 26th year and celebrating its 25th anniversary, the tour is renowned for the high success-rate of its attendees, due in part to the outstanding professional to attendee ratio. Hosted by Leland K. Meitzler, Patty Meitzler, Donna Potter Phillips, and Bill Balter, the 2010 tour promises to be one of the best ever! For more information and registration, see: www.SaltLakeChristmasTour.com.