Rootstech - The Aussies are coming

It seems as though I'll have lots of company from downunder at Rootstech this year as some of my Australian genimates will be heading to Salt Lake City. Geneabloggers Jenny Joyce, Helen Smith and Shauna Hicks have indicated that they are attending as is Alan Phillips from Gould Genealogy and I think that Alona Tester may join us as well. Jan Gow from New Zealand will also be heading to Salt Lake City.

This recent post on Gould Genealogy's blog reminded me that I haven't talked about Rootstech recently. I have been telling lots of the Americans that I have met on my present trip about Rootstech and I think a lady from California that I dined with last night will be signing up too. It's amazing how many people I meet in my travels are into genealogy.

As an Official Blogger I have access to a recording facility where I can conduct video interviews with people at the conference. Having done two interviews (www.youtube.com/watch?v=tY78SwsjEXs and www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-mGsHxjrHc ) last year I have gotten over my nerves so I want to conduct a few more interviews in 2013.

Whom should I interview?

If you know of someone who is attending Rootstech that you would like me to approach for an interview please let me know and I will try to catch them. I welcome suggestions of people and questions to ask them.

Family History Through the Alphabet – Z is for … Zealots

zeal·ot/ˈzelət/

Noun:

A person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their religious, political, or other ideals.  Synonyms: fanatic - bigot - devotee   (Source Dictionary.com)

This is my final post in The Family History through the Alphabet Challenge proposed by Alona Tester of Gould Genealogy. 

I thank Alona for devising and curating this task that has produced a host of interesting and informative reading around the topic of family history mostly from Australian genealogists with the addition of some fantastic contributions from our friends over the seas.

By sharing our stories and data with the genealogy community we can educate, communicate and collaborate with others. The field of genealogy has been enriched by each contribution to this challenge. 

Congratulations to all who have participated in this challenge and added accolades to those who managed to submit 26 posts.

This post is dedicated to the challenge participants, a group of Genealogy Zealots, who are uncompromising in pursuit of your ancestors.

Family History Through the Alphabet – Y is for …Y not?

Although I don't expect everyone to share my fascination with technology and its application to many genealogy functions I hope that genealogists will approach the use of technology with an open mind and not dismiss it without consideration.

I realise that anyone reading this blog post probably already employs various applications and tools as they search for their ancestors and record their family stories. However when I meet many genealogists at meetings, libraries and conferences I find that they do not share our positive attitude towards technology

In my penultimte post for this challenge, I entreat you to be an advocate for technology. Share your enthusiasm with those you meet, show them how technology will help them organise their data, keep up to date with genealogy news, connect with new cousins and take part in online learning activities.

* Offer to give a talk on your favourite app, resource or tech toy at a local library or society
* Mentor your genimates who aren't familiar with technology
* Write articles highlighting technology for your society's newsletter
* Offer to set up a social media presence for your society and teach members how to access it.

Y not join me and become an advocate for the use of technology in genealogy?

Volunteering

I just read this wonderful post on volunteering. Although the target audience is educators it applies equally to genealogists.
Get Involved – The Art of Volunteering

Trove Tuesday - It may be hereditary

When I get together with my friends I don't mind a tipple. Having read the following article about my great-grandfather, James Pusell, I realise that this might be a hereditary trait.

1888 'Burraga.', Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal (NSW : 1851 - 1904), 15 May, p. 2, viewed 28 August, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article62219770

Family History Through the Alphabet – X is for … keep it open

This morning I am in Monte Carlo looking out at one of the hairpin bends for the Monaco Grand Prix and playing catchup on my ABC posts. My pace doesn't match that of those speedy vehicles that will roar past my balcony at race time but I anticipate that I may reach my finish line some time next week.

On most computers there is a little x icon in the top right hand window of  most windows and applications you open (if you use a fruity device it is on the left). Don't close it - take a little while to linger longer.

Engage in a little Tangential Genealogy. Keep that window or app open and eXplore a little. You just never know what treasures you may uncover if you dig down through the layers of that website or app.

You could even find a sledge hammer to knock down a brickwall.

Hairpin bend

Our room at The Fairmont Hotel in Monte Carlo is labelled as a Hairpin Bend Room - in other words it does not have a panaromic view of the Mediterranean but a view of one of the tightest hairpin bends on the Monaco Grand Prix circuit so at that time of the year it would be a premium room. Presently it is just an ordinary room that they try to make sound special with a bit of marketing spin.

It was just a 90 minute flight from London's Gatwick Airport to Nice Airport where a quiet young man was waiting with a nice car to whisk us to our hotel. Gatwick which we reached in 35 minutes on the Gatwick Express train was a much quieter and less crowded airport than Heathrow. In Nice we were greeted by brilliant blue skies and a comfortable temperature of 19 degrees.

Already we have met some of our fellow cruisers and all are enthusiastically looking forward to being collected at 12:15 pm tomorrow for delivery to our ship that is moored just near our hotel. Our first job when we get on board is to find the laundry and wash our clothes; some of them are suffering from being washed in washbasins and baths for the last five weeks. A woman's work is never done!

There is a wedge of waterview from The Hairpin Bend Room

The Monte Carlo Casino is right next door 

The artworks in the hotel remind me of someone

Spied our ship as we had dinner in the hotel lounge

It was easy to choose a bevvy to accompany dinner

As we get ready to go to bed Monte Carlo is waking up

Nearly missed my day....

Thanks to all those genimates who have sent me Blogiversary wishes via Social Media. It is still some minutes away from midnight here in London so it's still my party day. I realised earlier this week that my blogiversary was approaching and then promptly forgot about it. Thomas, you are so sweet for getting the word out.

It seems fitting that tonight Mr Geniaus and I had dinner with a friend that we made through the world of genealogy, Audrey Collins. Audrey travelled across London to spend a couple of hours with us and came bearing gifts (more on that later). Earlier today I attended a lecture at The Society of Genealogists in London followed by a spot of research in their library.

Through blogging about genealogy during the past four years I have made many new friends who share my obsession. Thank you all for your friendship.

For old times sake I am pasting below a copy of my first tentative post from 7 November 2008.

Why add yet another blog to the crowded blogisphere?

I thought I would like a place to share progress, reflections and resources as I solve my genealogical jigsaw so here goes - another blog is born.

I've been researching the family on and off for the last 20 years and, with retirement looming, hope to finally get organised and solve some of my mysteries.

Hornsby Event

I'm sorry that I can't attend Hornsby Library's next family history talk as the presenter, Heather Garnsey, is one of my favourite Australian presenters.

Family & Local History Talks

Stuck?

Try the Society of Genealogists

a talk by

Heather Garnsey

Are you having trouble researching your family history? Heather Garnsey will talk about the Society of Australian Genealogists collections and how they can help, especially the manuscript and family history collections.

Heather Garnsey is the Executive Officer of the Society of Genealogists.

Date:  Friday 9 November

Time:  2:00 pm

Place: Hornsby Shire Library, Meeting Room
          28-44 George Street, Hornsby (entry via Hunter Lane).

Cost:  $5.00

Bookings: To book please call 9847 6614 or email library@hornsby.nsw.gov.au. For more information please call Hornsby Local Studies on 9847 6807.

Trove Tuesday - Cromwell Road

As I am presently holidaying in London I thought I would see what Trove could offer up on the street, Cromwell Road,  in which our hotel is located.

I found many references to The Natural History Museum which is further up the road. I was interested in one article about a Suffragette Museum at 41 Cromwell Road. I wonder if it is still there; as I can't find it via a Google search I may have to go for a walk down the road.

1947 'Suffragette Museum.', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), 14 May, p. 11, viewed 5 November, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article30528230

London Genie Days

I am sitting at my computer preparing for my two research days in London. I had planned on three research days but The London Metropolitan Archives which I planned on visiting today is closed for stocktaking.

As I get ready to visit and join The Society of Genealogists tomorrow I am reacquainting myself with the English ancestors, having a look at the SoG OPAC and drawing up a list of resources to consult tomorrow and Wednesday.

Mr Geniaus and I are also looking forward to meeting up with our mate, Audrey Collins, a Family History Specialist from The National Archives at Kew.

Family History Through the Alphabet – W is for … Magic

Travelling around Europe for the past four weeks has seriously cut into my blogging time. As I am having a few quiet days in London I will endeavour to catch up on my alphabet posts.

I just don't get how Wi-Fi (or wee-fee as they say in Spain) works and I have no desire to find out. It falls into the realm of magic technology things that I love to use. Using Wi-Fi on my various devices (I am only travelling with two) I can keep up with genealogy news via various social media, write blog and Facebook posts for myself and my local society and maintain my genealogy website as well as dealing with family and personal matters.

Of all the fifteen hotels we have satyed in over the past four weeks only one, a Marriott, did not provide free Wi-Fi for guests; we have also come across many cafes and restaurants that give free access to patrons. When we board our cruise ship later this week we will also have free access.  Most new phones these days have Wi-Fi capability so before you set off on your travels learn how to enable it. It is so easy to be connected in this day and age.

For those who are more curious than I  Webopedia tells us "Wi-Fi is the name of a popular wireless networking technology that uses radio waves to provide wireless high-speed Internet and network connections." This article from How Stuff Works gives an explanation of how Wi-Fi works.