Geniaus

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book?

2012-01-28T14:08:00.000+11:00

I collect most of the responses for my GeniMates blog profiles via Google Forms. One of the questions I as is "What is your favourite (non genealogy) book?"

The Normal View of the spreadsheet on which the responses are collated allows me to see all the responses to any of the questions on the form as a list. This list does not include the responses for those who have contributed their profiles by other means. You'll have to dip into the GeniMates profiles for those suggestions.

As it is National Year of Reading in Australia I thought it would be fun to see what genealogists have nominated as their personal favourites.

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book?

I've had to think too long for this question so theremustn't be a favourite. I read lots of books for my day job as a teacherlibrarian.
To many to list
Universe Bends Toward Justice: A Reader on ChristianNonviolence in the U.S.
Too many. I enjoybiographies and autobiographies but I suppose that it related togenealogy! This changes all thetime. I would recommend "Bridie'sFire" by Kirsty Murray although again genealogy related because it isfiction set in historical Melbourne.
Lord of the Rings
The Secret River by Kate Grenville. (May be classified asborderline genealogy...)
Anything by Dean Koontz
"Giants in the Earth" by O.E. Rolvaag
My grandfather's photograph album
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre and Tess of the d'Urbervilles(hope I'm allowed three!)
Jane Austen's novels
There are too many to really mention, but one that springsto mind is A Town Like Alice by Neville Shute.
Sarum, Edward Rutherford
The Bayeux Tapestry by David M Wilson
I have many favoutite books but right now I am revisiting anold favourite - Wuthering Heights. I also enjoy anything written by AlexanderMcCall Smith
At the Mountains of Madness - H.P Lovecraft
Sarum by Edward Rutherfurd
Lots of books, but my recent favorite is "TheHelp."
Anything by Jane Austen
All That Happened at Number 26 - Denise Scott
The Voyage of their life: Diane Armstrong.
"Dover Harbour" by Thomas Armstrong, published inthe 1940s. A historical novel set in thetown during the turn of the 19th Century...
The Poldark novels
Not a good reader so don't have a favourite book.
Mysts of Avalon
My favorite book is often the one I just finished. Myfavorite genre is mysteries.
Arthur Mee's Children's Encyclopedia
The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham
The Blackest Streets by Sarah Wise
Possession by A.S. Byatt
Murder mystery
Jean Auel Prehistoric series
Orson Scott Card's "Ender" Series
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Currently Tomorrow When The War Began by John Marsden
Scriptures
Anything by Jane Austen...yes I'm one of those.
Willa Cather's “Death Comes to the Archbishop” and Howard Rugg's “Imagination”
Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood
Classic - Jane Eyre Modern - We Have To Talk About Kevin

What do you read when you are not ancestor hunting?

52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy - Week #4 - Free Offline Genealogy Tools

2012-01-27T19:53:00.000+11:00

For this week's challenge Amy asks:

Week 4 – Free Offline Genealogy Tools: For which free offline genealogy tool are you most grateful? How did you find this tool and how has it benefited your genealogy? Describe to others how to access this tool and spread the genealogy love.

When this post appears I will be in a jet plane en route to Salt Lake City, Utah for the Rootstech Conference where I'll meet up with several thousand two-legged free offline genealogy tools: PEOPLE.

For this post I am recycling a post, 10 things I can’t live without to support my genealogy addiction
from, June 2010. These are the people for whom I am most grateful:

1. My Ancestors who provide the Births, Deaths and Marriages that provide the scaffold for my research and the juicy stories, faded old photos and interesting anecdotes that add interest to that scaffold.

2. My Family and Descendants who provide a purpose for my research. I am trying to record our history for future generations.

3. My Patient Husband who turns a blind to the dust on the furniture and pile of ironing that waits for me as I ignore these for my genealogy habit.

There is no particular order to the remainder of this list - as my needs change so does the importance of the persons detailed from here on.

3. The many Distant Cousins who have contacted me via online forums and the Geniaus website to say hello, offer corrections to my sometimes inaccurate date and generously share photos, certificates and stories.

4. Generous Volunteers who over the years have done lookups for me and given guidance when I have visited genealogical societies throughout the world.

5. Staff of Libraries and Archives Offices who have patiently assisted me with my research.

6. People who read and comment on my blog and website and send compliments via email and Twitter give me positive reinfocement that encourages me to keep solving my genealogical jigsaw.

7. Volunteer Indexers eg those who do work for Ryerson and FamilySearch and those who index cemeteries and photograph headstones provide me with the means to access to many valuable and appropriate resources.

8. My Online Genie Friends who, through a range of tools such as blogs, twitter, wave, provide blogging ideas, encouragement, links to great new resources,great stories and encouragement.

9. Decision Makers at The National Library of Australia who have a commitment to providing important Australian Resources in an online format. Trove is the most amazing free online resource for genealogical research.

10. The many Registered Members of Trove who are making corrections to the scanned text to better improve access by other users. Whilst I have only corrected 890 rows of text there are 4 volunteers who have done over 4000,000 rows each and are headling for the half million.

The Rootstech journey begins

2012-01-27T11:18:00.001+11:00

At Epping Station waiting for the train to Sydney Airport

The Bucket List Geneameme - The Posts

2012-01-26T15:12:00.001+11:00

Following is a list of links to responses that I have been told about or have found to The Bucket List Geneameme, I will continue adding links to the list as more genealogists take up the challenge.

The responses make very interesting reading. Please take a look and see what other genies are dreaming about.

Alex Daw
Bart Brenner

Wendy L Callaghan
Pauleen Cass
Jennifer Holik-Urban
Angela Kraft
Brenda Leyndyke
Laura Cosgrove Lorenzana
Donna Pointkouski
Heather Rojo
Randy Seaver Russ Worthington

The Bucket List Geneameme - Laura's contribution

2012-01-26T14:00:00.001+11:00

I was thrilled when I opened my email this mroning and found that someone had taken up my offer to post responses to this lates meme.

Thanks for your contribution, Laura Cosgrove Lorenzana Consulting Archivist/Genealogist

Blog: http://thelastleafonthisbranch.blogspot.com/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lauracosgrovelorenzana

The Bucket List GeneaMeme

The list should be annotated in the following manner:
Things you would like to do or find: Bold Type
Things you haven’t done or found and don’t care to: plain type
You are encouraged to add extra comments after each item

The genealogy conference I would most like to attend is...NGS in Cincinnati 2012
The genealogy speaker I would most like to hear and see is...Judy G. Russell
The geneablogger I would most like to meet in person is...Caroline Pointer
The genealogy writer I would most like to have dinner with is...Elizabeth Shown Mills
The genealogy lecture I would most like to present is....An Archivist's Notebook For Preserving Your Family's History: a look at Archiving, Preservation, Conservation and Estate Planning for Genealogists
I would like to go on a genealogy cruise that visits....New Orleans to Brazil...want to retrace some of my ancestors possible route
The photo I would most like to find is...of Randolph Richards and Laura Louisa Greene Richards (he's my brick wall and I'm named after her)
The repository in a foreign land I would most like to visit is...a toss up between Het Utrecht Archief and local repositories in/near Saarguemines, Alsace-Lorraine, France
The place of worship I would most like to visit is...the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey
The cemetery I would most like to visit is ......where my ancestors are buried in France/Germany (unknown location as of 1/25/2012)
The ancestral town or village I would most like to visit is......Saarguemines and/or Bliesbruck in Alsace Lorraine Moselle France
The brick wall I most want to smash is...my Brazil connection...proof of when they left and how they got to the US
The piece of software I most want to buy is....
The tech toy I want to purchase next is .....a 4G phone
The expensive book I would most like to buy is...
The library I would most want to visit is...the Library of Congress
The genealogy related book I would most like to write is....tells the story of my Wersel family
The genealogy blog I would most like to start would be about....(I already did!) About my genealogical journey
The journal article I would most like to write would be about...
The ancestor I most want to meet in the afterlife is....Nicolaas Jan Francois Wersel

The Bucket List GeneaMeme

2012-01-25T13:22:00.000+11:00

Photo from TechRaga's Gallery

As I sit here contemplating my trip to Salt Lake City for the Rootstech conference next week I am wondering what sort of things are on other genealogists' Bucket Lists. A trip to the Family History Library had been on my bucket list until last year.

I invite all genealogists and family history freaks to join me by sharing your bucket list of events, places, people and resources you would most like to experience before you leave this mortal earth. If you don't have a blog and wish to participate you can send your responses to me in an email and I will pop them into a blog post on the Geniaus blog. Please let me know when you participate by a comment on this post or by email and I'll collate a list of responses on this blog.

It would be appreciated if genealogists would let the meme run its course before copying and republishing it with alterations and amendments.

The Bucket List GeneaMeme

The genealogy conference I would most like to attend is...
The genealogy speaker I would most like to hear and see is...
The geneablogger I would most like to meet in person is...
The genealogy writer I would most like to have dinner with is...
The genealogy lecture I would most like to present is....
I would like to go on a genealogy cruise that visits....
The photo I would most like to find is...
The repository in a foreign land I would most like to visit is...
The place of worship I would most like to visit is...
The cemetery I would most like to visit is ......
The ancestral town or village I would most like to visit is......
The brick wall I most want to smash is...
The piece of software I most want to buy is....
The tech toy I want to purchase next is .....
The expensive book I would most like to buy is...
The library I would most like to visit is.....
The genealogy related book I would most like to write is....
The genealogy blog I would most like to start would be about....
The journal article I would most like to write would be about...
The ancestor I most want to meet in the afterlife is....

Is there anything else on your Genealogy Bucket List?

Australia Day 2012: Wealth for Toil

2012-01-25T10:28:00.000+11:00

My mate Shelley over at TwigsofYore has issued a challenge for Australia Day 2012.

Australia Day 2012: Wealth for Toil

To participate, choose someone who lived in Australia (preferably one of your ancestors) and tell us how they toiled. Your post should include:

What was their occupation?
What information do you have about the individual’s work, or about the occupation in general?
The story of the person, focussing on their occupation; or
The story of the occupation, using the person as an example.

Responses may be as long or short as you like, and as narrow or broad as you wish.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Frank Duncan - Soldier

Unfortunately in spite of all of their toil none of my ancestors was rewarded with wealth in the monetary sense. Rewards came in the form of happy lives and healthy families.

My grandfather, Frank Duncan, seemed to move from job to job in the country town of Cobar. As a young man he worked as a miner in Cobar's copper mines. After returning from World War 1 he purchased a station (very large farm) of 32,000 acres, Elsinore, outside of Cobar. He walked off this farm sometime during the Great Depression.

From that time on he tried a few jobs. He had a catering truck that he drove around the countryside to feed the crowds at race meetings and other gatherings. From this van he sold his home made pies and the ginger beer he brewed.

Together with my grandmother, Ethel Jane Pusell, Frank ran a cafe in Cobar. I am not sure how long this venture lasted. Frank eventually went to work at the Post Office. He rejoined the Australian Army in 1940 but did not see active duty. When the family moved to Sydney in the 1940s Frank worked at the Kensington Post Office. I am not sure what work he did there but I think he may have driven a van.

Frank Duncan's Catering Van

Frank was a proud man, the major source of his pride was his five daughters "The Duncan Girls" who were very fond of their "Dadda". What they lacked in material wealth was made up by the richness of the happy family life that they enjoyed up until Frank's early death at age 53.

Frank, Ethel and The Duncan Girls, members of the Junior Red Cross c 1936

Series: RootsTech Bloggers «

2012-01-24T22:12:00.000+11:00

Read about my fellow Official Bloggers for the Rootstech Conference here:

Series: RootsTech Bloggers «:

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Pinterest - Timewaster or Worthwhile Resource?

2012-01-24T10:55:00.002+11:00

Curiosity got the better of me a couple of days ago when Caroline Pointer of Family Stories asked on Twitter if anyone would like an invitation to use Pinterest. I have been reading about this tool and wondering exactly what it was for a while now so, even as I prepare to leave for Salt Lake City this week and am time poor, I couldn't resist Caroline's invitation.

What is Pinterest? I see it as a social bookmarking tool that has a visual interface. Pinterest says "Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes. Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests."

Once I had my invitation to hand I logged in, set up my profile and looked for some genealogists to follow. What I immediately noticed was that the main focus of my contacts' pinboards was not genealogy but decorating, fashion, cooking and travel. Most of them also had a pinboard for genealogy. I decided to set up a couple of Genealogy pinboards with an Australian focus and then added Genealogy Humour, my Travel Bucket List, Recipes, Android Stuff and a pinboard for my US forthcoming trip. I ~~wasted~~ spent a hour or so playing with Pinterest yesterday and logged in a few times to monitor happenings there.

My Pinterest Wall

What are my first impressions?

It is intuitive and easy to use - I only had to consult the help menu once.
There are a number of well-known genealogists using Pinterest. Looking at their pinboards tells me a little more about them than what I glean from other social networking sites.
It will be a valuable source of genealogy resources as more users add genealogy related pinboards.
It has put me in touch with some new genealogy contacts.
I can only find two other Australian genealogists using Pinterest at the moment and they don't have genealogy pinboards.
Liking, commenting on and sharing others' pinned items is a breeze
It has the potential to be a timewaster
It has an attractive interface.
I like this way of organising links.
It is frustrating that it was not easy to pin pages/links that had no images in them (Shauna - would you mind putting a pic on Diary of an Australian Genealogist so I can easily add it?)
I will not be giving up Delicious as my bookmarking tool quite yet.
I will enjoy using Pinterest
Pinterest is optimised for use on mobile devices so I can use it on my Android tablet.
I hope it remains free to use.
There are more females than males using Pinterest.

Thanks, Caroline, for the invitation. If any of my readers are on Pinterest please say G'day by following me.

Youtube tribute

2012-01-20T11:00:00.001+11:00

I reported the death of my mother-in-law's cousin, Ron Woodhead, couple of weeks ago.

In that post I remarked on the voluntary work Professor Ron did in the engineering faculty of a University in Peru. This morning I came across this tribute posted on Youtube by someone with links to the University.

52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy – Free Online Genealogy Tools

2012-01-20T10:17:00.000+11:00

Week 3 – Free Online Genealogy Tools: Free online genealogy tools are like gifts from above. Which one are you most thankful for? How has it helped your family history experience?

I am stepping up once more to take up the challenge posed by by Amy Coffin on Geneabloggers.

There's no such thing as a free lunch! When applied to online genealogy tools this is not true. Due to the generosity of individuals and institutions we have a number of online tools that enhance our genealogy research.

We often whinge about governments and ask where are our taxes going to so I am going to nominate some resources hosted and developed by government agencies. That governments at all levels are taking steps to preserve our history and heritage and make it available freely is commendable.

The National Archives of Australia has a search facilty that provides access to digitised and hardcopy resources. Many service records from the First World War have been digitised and are freely available here. I have found handwritten letters from my grandmother to the authorities, photos of great-uncles, details of family members going AWOL and medical reports. These records are pure gold. Some immigration records of later arrivals have also been documented. Here I have also found letters and photographs that add richness to the cold facts in my database.

Trove, the online collection hosted by The National Library of Australia is our nation's treasure. Just last week I put in a recently deceased relative's name and was rewarded with two photographs of him. Trove is best known for its newspaper digitisation project that is just amazing.

In New South Wales, the state in which I live, the State Records site hosts a number of online indexes that cover immigration, convicts, divorces, deceased estates adn other subjects. The best item I got from these records was a gaol photograph of my great-grandfather from the 1890's taken when he was arrested for a minor offence. This very clear head and shoulders picture is the only photo I have of him. Trips to the archives after using this search facility has netted copies of land transfers, convict indents, vital records and details of juicy divorce cases.

An advanced search of Hansard, the record of the New South Wales Parliament, is available online from 1973. Entering one of my unusual family surnames brought back two results. Searching Hansard for people and places mentioned in parliament may yield some surprising results.

On a local government level The City of Sydney Archives has a number of interesting collections. The Newtown Project provides historical information about the Municipality of Newtown. ArchivePix is The City of Sydney's Archives digital photograph bank.

Other Local Authorities in New South Wales have similar local projects that are of use to genealogists. Pictorial Canterbury is a photo collection from The City of Canterbury. The Historical Council Minutes Index from Woollahra Council provides information on properties and people in the area. The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader has been selectively indexed by the staff at Sutherland Library. The index can be used to search for articles in the Leader about topics of local interest.

When searching for ancestors we mustn't neglect the free databases hosted by governments and government agencies. They may not have been designed with the genealogist in mind but they may yield some surprising results.

Richmond Presbyterian Cemetery

2012-01-19T06:43:00.000+11:00

Great news from Jonathan Auld on the Rootsweb aus-nsw-hills-hawkesbury-hunter-valley list. Thanks to the volunteers have produced this resource for those of us with Hawkesbury ancestors.

"Just a heads up for those listers interested incemeteries located in the Hawkesbury. We have completed the RichmondPresbyterian Cemetery, with all of the headstone transcriptions and photographsnow available online for you to view. Information can be viewed at thefollowing url:

Richmond, Richmond Presbyterian Cemetery http://www.hawkesbury.net.au/cemetery/richmond_presbyterian/index.html "

OFHG BLOG: WWI Centenary Community Project Begins

2012-01-18T17:09:00.000+11:00

Ancestors from Orange, NSW? Can you help?

OFHG BLOG: WWI Centenary Community Project Begins: "http://www.centralwesterndaily.com.au/news/local/news/general/battle-to-name-our-soldiers-begins/2420152.aspx#"

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Google Alerts - Hit and Miss?

2012-01-17T10:21:00.000+11:00

On the recent episode of Geneabloggers BlogTalk Radio Dan Lynch discussed using Google Alerts to discover pertinent new information relating to genealogy.

I am a great fan of Google alerts and have been using them for several years to find news to share with fellow genealogists via my blog, Twitter and lately Google+. I have a number of alerts for general and Australian genealogy and android genealogy news plus alerts for the uncommon surnames in my tree. Vanity causes me to have alerts for Geniaus, GeniMates and Jill Ball Genealogy.

A few of my alerts

From the options on offer I have selected All results for some alerts and Only the best results for others. I have been constantly underwhelmed by the number of alerts that arrive even for those alerts for which I have selected All results. I know that Geniaus is mentioned in blogs and on Twitter each day yet only on rare occasions do these mentions appear in my Google Alerts!

If you are not using Google Alerts I suggest that you should be but be aware that the results may not be as comprehensive as one might expect.

What has been your experience with Google Alerts?

A Peek inside my Gadget Bag

2012-01-16T11:28:00.001+11:00

Travelling light should be part of my policy for Rootstech 2012 but I just can't help myself...

I found it interesting to read what the bloggers from Techcrunch packed for their excursions to the recent CES event in Las Vegas. I am impressed that blogger, Linda McCauley, is only travelling with her Android tablet and 'phone to Rootstech.

As I ponder what I should take I am looking at my list for 2011 and deciding how to amend it. Here is what I planned to take with alterations and additions for 2012.

* Laptop and new battery - ordered and received last week. (I'm leaving my well travelled netbook at home)
I actually took the netbook but in 2012 will take my new laptop. I have voice recognition software on the laptop and, with my lack of typing skills, will find this useful for blog posts. The laptop also seems to have more grunt to pick up free wifi signals.

* Small portable hard drive (to back up as I go)
Yes a new 1 terabyte model - last year's model doed not have enough storage.

* Digital camera, SD cards, 2 batteries, charger and tiny tripod
2 digital cameras for 2012 - I have a new 4/3 G3 Panasonic Lumix that takes great pix but the point and shoot is great to take everywhere. I will be appointing Mr Geniaus to take photos for the blog while I attend sessions.

* 2 Thumb/Flash drives (another backup option)

I can lighten the load here - I might just take one!

* Mobile phone and charger

I will leave my Australian mobile at home. I'll transfer its SIM card to my Galaxy Tab.
I will also take my AT&T GoPhone for local calls while in the US. This is a cost-effective option for overseas visitors to the US.

* Power adapters so I can use US power outletsCan cut down on these as GoPhone and Laptop were purchased in the US. Will use netbook sleeve to store all of these.

* Pencil case with pencils, sharpener and pens

Yes
* Spiral bound notebook (If all else fails write it down)Yes
* Business cards Yes
* Fridge magnet (For putting on the drawers from which I remove microfilm)Yes

* Hot pink laptop bag (It will be easy to ID)Will put laptop in hot pink sleeve in cabin bag and leave laptop bag at home. Last year Rootstech gave us a computer bag and then I had two! Wish I knew what their plans are this year.

* I will be purchasing a Flip-Pal mobile scanner at the conference.I bought the Flip-Pal but will be leaving it at home. I can use camera or Galaxy Tab with CamScanner to collect images from the FH.

* I might purchase a Galaxy Tab (if the price is right) while there. They are around half the Australian price in the US but I won't have an Australian warranty - should I take a gamble?

Purchased in Australia post Rootstech. It will be travelling with me and in my handbag at all times. It will double as an ereader. I like to purchase travel guides in ebook format.
Do I need to purchase a mobile hotspot device?

* I will buy a prepaid SIM card for my 3G Smartphone when I arrive so that I have internet access.

Not taking the phone.

In addition I will be adding taking my US GPS device - it may avoid some heated discussions as we set off on a six week US adventure post Rootstech.

I just hope my carryon baggage is under the limit!

What is inside your gadget bag for Rootstech?

Keepng the old girl on her toes

2012-01-14T12:09:00.000+11:00

This arrived in my email box yesterday:

Hi Mum,

Just noticed that the BDM link on your Geniaus blog (http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/familyHistory/search.htm ) is broken.

Love
XXX

I am thrilled to see that my kids drop by my blog every now and then. I hope they are interested in the random family stories I post. The next one in the pipeline is for the Twigs of Yore Australia Day Wealth for Toil challenge.

I also appreciate being notified of any broken links or erroneous information that I might publish. So, please take a leaf out of my son's book and let me know of corrections that I should make.

In the Force

2012-01-13T13:30:00.001+11:00

Allan John Curry 1947

65 years ago today on 13 January 1947 my dad, Allan John Curry, joined the NSW Police Force and was an officer until he was discharged as medically unfit due to his diabetes in the early sixties.

I recently found this photo of him taken in 1947 at "The Police Depot". From his uniform it looks as though he was dressed for motorcycle duties. I know that he was later a member of the mounted police and in suburban stations but was not aware that he also rode a police motorcycle. I need to apply for Dad's police record so that I can find out the various activities he was invloved in during his time in the force.

I should also shown more interest when he told stories about the various Sydney personalities he came in contact with like Bea Miles, Tilly Devine and Bumper Farrell. I am sure Dad took some great stories to his grave.

My Dad and his fellow officers in the NSW Mounted Police c.1954

Networking at Rootstech

2012-01-13T12:00:00.000+11:00

There are so many people that I hope to meet at Rootstech 2012.

I was prompted by Leslie Lawson's comment on Google+ post : "Maybe we'll have to plan a G+ rendezvous spot!"

I have 400 people in my genealogy circle, most of whom I have never met, and would love to put a name to their faces. There are also people I follow on Twitter and Facebook, the bloggers whose posts I read via RSS and those who use the same software packages as I do. I'd love to chat with you.

If you hear an Aussie accent it will probably be me so please stop me and say G'day.

How do you manage the networking and social opportunities afforded by big conferences?

Giving liberates the soul of the giver

2012-01-12T14:03:00.000+11:00

I have found that among its other benefits,
giving liberates the soul of the giver.

-Maya Angelou

I saw this quote today on a blog post, The Most Important “Law” of Social Media, from Eric Harr on Social Media Today.

Finding this was serendipitous as today my profile was published on the Genealogists for Families Blog.

Members of Genealogists for Families through Kiva, a non-profit organisation working with microfinance institutions, make $25 loans that enable borrowers without access to traditional banks to expand their businesses, support their families, save for the future and raise themselves out of poverty. When the loan is repaid we can withdraw the money or lend it again. If we repeatedly lend the same $25, that small sum makes a big difference to many lives.

Reaching out and helping families in other lands helps others but also gives me a warm inner glow. I have the power to make a difference to a strangers life, exercising that power is a rewarding experience.

How about joining me in the Genealogists for Families project?

Abundant Genealogy - Week 2 - Paid Online Genealogy Tools

2012-01-12T13:52:00.000+11:00

Week 2 – Paid Genealogy Tools: Which paid genealogy tool do you appreciate the most? What special features put it at the top of your list? How can it help others with their genealogy research?

Horses for courses!

Having just read my mate Sharon Brennan's response to this question I could just copy and paste her response here because, on first thoughts the content in my post was going to echo hers. So I have thought for a few minutes and have decided on a different tack.

My paid subscriptions are:
Ancestry.co.uk - I've had an annual subscription for years and cannot kick the habit as each time I think about letting it go they add new record sets that are pertinent to some part of my research. It is the top level sub that gives me access to all Ancestry Records and has been useful for Australia, UK, Canada, New Zealand and the US.

FindMyPast.co.uk - I am also a longtime subscriber. As most of my ancestors came from the British Isles it is relevant to my research. I find it helpful that it duplicates some of the records on Ancestry and have found information on FMP transcriptions that Ancestry have missed.

I let my Genes Reunited sub lapse last year as I found that I was not making any new valuable connections through it. Around seven years ago when I joined up I made many useful connections but it has outlived its usefulness for me.

I regularly take out short-term subs to Scotland's People and The Sydney Morning Herald Archives when I have a good list of questions, some time on my hands and the ready cash.

My genealogy societies and local libraries give me access to other paid resources that I use on an as needs basis.

So Which paid genealogy tool do I appreciate the most?

It may be one of the resources listed above or it may be some other. The tool I appreciate the most is the one that gives me the answer I am presently seeking.

Just like I wouldn't choose a sprinter for a two-mile race, a Shetland Pony to drag a heavy load, or a Shire horse for dressage I wouldn't choose the Sydney Morning Herald to find a Scottish birth Certificate or FindMyPast.co.uk to find my Canadian soldier.

The horse I appreciate the most is the one that will get the best job done for me.

Engage with your readers through threaded commenting | Blogger Buzz

2012-01-12T11:01:00.000+11:00

My blog is ready for engagement is yours?

Engage with your readers through threaded commenting | Blogger Buzz:

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Family History Talks - Hornsby Library

2012-01-11T14:49:00.000+11:00

I have received notification from my mate, Neil Chippendale, at Hornsby Library, about the next Family History talk to be held at the Library on Wednesday 22nd February at 6:30 pm.

The topic UK CriminalRecords will be presented by genealogist, Jeremy Palmer, at the Library in George Street, Hornsby. The cost of thei lecture is $5.00 and includes a cuppa and a cookie.

These talks are quite popular and book out quickly so to nab a place please phone: 02 9847 6614

Further information is available from Hornsby Local Studies phone: 02 98476807.

On May 4th (time to be advised) I will be presenting a talk at the library "Trove - Access Australia's Treasure Online" in which I will give an introduction to the Trove website, show how family historians can use it as a genealogy resource and make contributions to enhance the resource.

Be there or be square!

2012-01-10T13:36:00.000+11:00

Conference goers regularly say that they get a lot of value from the networking opportunities that conferences offer.

I just took another look at the list of "Who'll be at Rootstech?" Thomas MacEntee has put together at Geneabloggers. It includes many of my genealogy idols and geneabloggers that I admire.

I have heard people who live a lot closer than I saying that Salt Lake City is a long way to travel for a conference. Where else would you get an opportunity to meet this amazing group of people for a registration fee of $149 (if you register before January 13th)? For me Salt Lake City is only a 20 hour air trip away mostly on the Flying Kangaroo - it will be worth every minute it takes to get there.

As well as meeting such interesting fellow genealogists at Rootstech there is a fairly comprehensive program of lectures on offer.

PS. If you're heading to Rootstech and are not on the Geneabloggers list please add your details in a comment on the post.

Klout and Google+

2012-01-09T16:21:00.000+11:00

I am trying to understand exactly how Klout measures influence on Google+ and how those measurements can be accurate.

In spite of other genealogists warning that Klout is evil I have stayed connected to the service. I have it linked to my Facebook, Google+ and Twitter accounts. I was amazed to learn on my return from a recent holiday, when I was inactive on my linked accounts, that my Klout scores had risen considerably! Perhaps silence is golden.

Surprisingly Klout indicates that I have most influence on Facebook, the tool of the three I have linked that I use least.

I like Google+ because it allows me to create circles for people with common interests that I can target with relevant posts. I rarely make a public post as to me this is not what Google+ is about. I think that, as users become more familiar with organising their circles, the number of public posts will decrease further. Russell Holly in September on Geek.com said "Public posting is going to decrease organically as more users learn the service and begin to circle users and post to just those circles."

From Jill Ball - Klout Profile - 9/1/2012

I am wondering how many of my genealogy and other contacts on Google+ make Public Posts and how many target their posts to particular circles. Very few I should imagine. Are they using Klout to measure their Google+ influence?

My profile on Klout indicates that I have absolutely no influence on Google + although I post daily, receive a number of +1s, shares and comments.

Yet Klout measures for influence on Google+ appear to only be for only Public Posts. On November 22nd the Official Klout Blog said "We measure influence on Google+ by analyzing public posts."

I can't fathom how Klout measures for Google+ influence can be accurate if they ignore a large proportion of Google+ posts.

1,000 Comments

2012-01-09T11:51:00.001+11:00

From time to time I carry on about Blogging being a two-way street and exhort blog readers to make comments on the posts they read.

Since I started watching the Blogger Stats for Geniaus in June 2009 a number of people have made comments on my posts, I thank you for joining in my conversation. Today I noticed that 1,000 comments have been published (that is those that are not spam).

Thanks to Becky Jamison for my 1,000th comment "I was going to choose my classes today---I'll definitely be in this one! Thank you for the great post! on Rootstech News - International Panel: Genealogy 2.0".

Thanks to all my readers who regularly add comments. Please keep them coming.

Rootstech News - International Panel: Genealogy 2.0

2012-01-08T13:10:00.000+11:00

My friend, Joan Miller of the Luxegen Blog, has indicated that she is taking a healing hiatus from genealogy to concentrate on recovering from an illness. I am saddened to hear of her illness and wish her well as she travels the road to recovery.

Since meeting Joan at Rootstech last year I have kept in constant contact with her via email and social media and was looking forward to co-presenting with her at Rootstech 2012. Unfortunately Joan, who coined the term Genealogy 2.0 for our presentation, will not be able to join Amy Coffin, Audrey Collins and me for the presentation. I thank you, Joan, for all of your assistance with preparation for the gig, we are most indebted to you.

It was an easy task for us to decide on another foreigner to invite to take Joan's place on our panel. We four agreed that another Canadian and an Official Rootstech Blogger, Lorine McGinnis-Schulze, would be the perfect candidate.

We were thrilled and relieved when Lorine graciously accepted our invitation. We welcome Lorine to our panel and look forward to getting together at the Salt Palace for our presentation in Room 225B at 11:00 am on Friday February 3rd.

52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy - Week 1 – Blogs

2012-01-07T13:16:00.000+11:00

52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy by Amy Coffin is a series of weekly blogging prompts (one for each week of 2012) that invites genealogists and others to discuss resources in the genealogy community including websites, applications, libraries, archives, genealogical societies and more. You do not have to be a blogger to participate. If you do not have a genealogy blog, write down your thoughts on your computer, or simply record them on paper and keep them with your files.

Week 1 – Blogs: Blogging is a great way for genealogists to share information with family members, potential cousins and each other. For which blog are you most thankful? Is it one of the earliest blogs you read, or a current one? What is special about the blog and why should others read it?
----------------------------------

I am thankful for all the blogs I read because they all assist my CGD. The blogs I read via RSS are classified in a number of categories: Books and Reading, Genealogy, ICT, Library, Teaching and Learning and Others. I read most of these posts or their summaries each morning in bed and maybe later in the day if I am a passenger in a bus, train or car or sitting around in a doctor's office.

I enjoy reading the posts of Geneabloggers especially those from the small but enthusiastic Geneablogging community here in Australia. I appreciate all you do for us.

I love to share with others what I learn from other disciplines that can be applied to my genealogical activities. For this reason I am nominating educator, Richard Byrne's blogs as those for which I am most thankful. From his Free Technology for Teachers I have gathered many resources to share with genealogists. Richard's new Android 4 Schools Blog gave me the idea for my new baby, Android Genealogy.

The synthesis of ideas from one subject area to another makes for a richer experience in our world of genealogy. Don't confine yourself to reading genealogy blogs, read from other subject areas and share what you find via your blog.

Rootstech Schedule

2012-01-06T20:55:00.003+11:00

Although I haven't seen an announcement about it I just found the schedule for the Rootstech Conference online at http://rootstech.org/schedule/index.

Lest it disappear I have taken snaps of two times that are important to me. I'm on at the same time as Thomas MacEntee and Drew Smith for my first presentation so don't imagine that my audience will be too large.

Thursday, Feb 2

Friday, February 3

Will I be seeing you at Rootstech?

All work and no play?

2012-01-06T09:30:00.001+11:00

Having a day off from genealogy today.

Vale - Ronald William Woodhead 1927-2011

2012-01-05T15:18:00.001+11:00

Ron and his cousin, my mother-in-law 2001

Ron Woodhead was my mother-in-law's first cousin. I had a number of dealings with this gentleman during the past twenty years as he shared my interest in family history and was keen to learn about his Gowans ancestry. One always gets a buzz when one finds someone who is genuinely interested in one's research and Ron was such a person.

I knew about Ron as a family man, a kind man, a soldier and an academic. Yesterday I learnt, from the eulogy at his funeral held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Springwood, about Ron, the deeply religious man.

Ronald William Woodhead was born on 15th February 1927 at the War Memorial Hospital, Waverley to Eric Laister Woodhead and Florence Joanna Gowans. Ron grew up in a committed Christian family, with his grandfather being Deacon of the Congregational Church at Burwood, for many years. Ron had a happy early family life at Burwood with his two younger brothers before his parents moved to the lower Blue Mountains.

1945 Army Paybook Photo

As a patriotic young Australian Ron joined the military in 1945 as soon as he attained the age of 18. Ron's initial training as a draughtsman was put to use during his time in the forces. He served with the 13th Australian Army Troop Company, Royal Australian Engineers, British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF). Ron was encouraged by an Army Officer to enrol in a University Course once he left the service so he embarked on a Bachelor of Engineering Course at Sydney University.

Ron never left academia. He taught at the University of New South Wales where he eventually became Professor Ronald Woodhead, Head of Engineering. Ron studied in the US in 1959 and lived there with the family in the late 60s and early 70s but returned to live in Australia. Ron is on the list of Emeriti of The University of New South Wales.

After taking an early retirement due to his poor eyesight ("I'm blind you know") Ron worked on voluntary projects in Peru travelling regularly to mentor members of an engineering faculty there. Ron wrote a number of books during his career including Critical path methods in construction practice / James M. Antill, Ronald W. Woodhead, Design of construction and process operations / Daniel W. Halpin, Ronald W. Woodhead and Behaviour of slabs.

Ron Woodhead (right) 1982

While he was in the Army Ron became interested in Catholicism and, as fate would have it, he met up with a young Catholic lady, Kathleen, who would become his wife in 1952. Shortly after this Ron converted to Catholicism. Ron and Kath settled on a large block just down the road from Norman Lindsay in Faulconbridge. It was here that they raised their ten children. On family planning Ron indicated that he had it right - he had five boys and five girls.
While studying in the US in 1959 Ron became a member of the Opus Dei movement. After Opus Dei began its apostolic activities in Australia in 1963 Ron supported their endeavours. Ron's commitment to Opus Dei was a major facet of his life right up until his death. That there were eight priests on the altar celebrating Ron's Requiem Mass is a testament to Ron's commitment to his religion.
His cousins, my mother-in-law and her sister, knew nothing of Ron's deep involvement with Opus Dei. He did not preach his religion he lived it. Although he was blind and no spring chicken Ron travelled by train from the mountains regularly to visit my mother-in-law at Kogarah. When Uncle Merv became ill and was hospitalised while on a trip from the US Ron and Kath invited them into their home and took care of he and Aunty Merle.

On my last visit to Ron just over a year ago his health was failing and his memory wasn't too good but he stiil wanted to share family anecdotes and show family photos to the newly found Gowans cousin from England that I had brought to meet him. He even wanted to engage him in a game of draughts.

Ron (Back Left) and Gowans cousins c 1984

How soon is very soon?

2012-01-05T11:28:00.000+11:00

I think someone from Rootstech must have read my blog post, Earth to Rootstech - Is anyone home?
There is now a new post on the Rootstech Facebook Page "The countdown to RootsTech 2012 is on! We have seen that a lot of you are anxious to know when the daily schedule will be posted. We will have that posted on the website very soon and will let you all know when it is ready."

My next question is "How soon is very soon?

I know it is difficult to schedule such a huge event but we speakers had to submit our syllabuses a couple of months ago - it's not as if the information about classes came in yesterday.

In addtion to selecting the classes I wish to attend I would like to know when and where I am presenting at the conference. My Powerpoint presentations are nearly ready to go but I can't finish them off until I can add the dates of my presentations to them!

Earth to Rootstech - Is anyone home?

2012-01-04T08:34:00.000+11:00

As an Official Blogger I would like to to help out those folk who are making enquiries on the Rootstech Facebook Page about when the schedule of classes for the Conference will be published. Since December 24th, 2011 a few genies have posted questions in this vein to the page and there has been no response from the organisers.

Last year's conference was a HUGE success but one of the frustrations was only getting the schedule on arrival at the Conference and having to select sessions on the run without adequate time to plan the best use of one's time. We were promised that this would be addressed in 2012.

I am a great advocate of Rootstech but, like others attending the conference, would love to hear schedule details. Please, Rootstech Organisers, monitor and respond to the comments on your Facebook Page.

Child Neglect

2012-01-03T12:44:00.001+11:00

When a new child comes along the older siblings are forced, for a time, to take second, third, fourth or fifth place according to the size of the family.

This has happened with the family of Geniaus' blogs. I have totally neglected Genimates, a blog born after Rootstech 2011, that had a significant readership and that was well received by those readers. I am eflecting on my goals for 2012

Connect, Learn, Share.

The Genimates blog, Genealogists profiles from all over the place, allows me to connect with other genealogists, learn from them and share information about other genealogists, their research and practice. I have a list of genealogists that I have asked to submit a profile for Genimates , some have ignored me and others have responded with submissions that contain great stories. I have a couple of profiles up my sleeve and will be approaching more Genimates in the next few days so that I can add to my bank of profiles. If you feel that you would be able to submit a profile please contact me with your email address and I will send you details. I am committed to posting more Genimates profiles in 2012.

Genimates is a site that highlights individuals, it is not a site for advertising commercial operations. At Genimates you can meet people just like you.

Guilty as charged

2012-01-03T11:31:00.003+11:00

One of my favourite bloggers is James Tanner of Genealogy's Star. James, a prolific blogger with a legal background, writes thoughtful and challenging posts.

Yesterday James posted a list "My top ten worst genealogy practices targeted in 2012" in which he outlined common crimes committed by the genealogists with whom he comes in contact. James intends to write further on these misdemeanours in 2012. This post must have hit a raw nerve with some genealogists as I read a few tweets yesterday that obliquely referred to the post. I made a flippant comment in a tweet "Guilty as charged - but only on one".

It appears that another genealogist was also offended by the tone of James' post as today James responded with, "Mean Spirited" a lengthy defence of his previous post. James made it difficult for the reader of this second post to reread and view the first post comment he cited as he did not provide links back to them. I don't have a problem with what James' wrote - he is entitled to publish his opinion as are the people who have commented on his post.

I agreed with 9 out of 10 of the crimes cited by James, however I am guilty of his number 3 crime: "People who copy information directly from an online compiled family tree without sources."

I wrote this lengthy comment on his original post:

"James, I am guilty of your number three crime - People who copy information directly from an online compiled family tree without sources.

I take unsourced information, add it to my tree and publish it.

I expect that those who visit my website and find unsourced information (and I use that term loosely) will do as I do and seek out both print and online resources to verify the facts (?) I have published.

My family site is dynamic, a work in progress, not the end point of a piece of academic research.

I am not guilty of your crime number 4 - People who think (or claim) that their genealogy is done. My genealogy is not done - my website is my workhorse not a show pony. I choose to let people view my work in progress.

By publishing my far from perfect work I have made contact with a number of cousins who have been able to verify some of the unsourced facts I have published. On occasion people have contacted me to correct what I had published.

If I had waited until everything in my tree was cited correctly according to genealogical proof standards my tree would be very spindly and I would have missed out on reaping the benefits that the digital age offers genealogists who use online tools to make connections.

My message to those who borrow from my tree is "Caveat emptor"."

You are Invited: Saturday EOGN Dinner after RootsTech in Salt Lake City - Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter

2012-01-01T15:37:00.001+11:00

I attended last year's dinner at the Radisson and enjoyed my evening chatting with Marie Dougan from Scotland and some delightful genies from the US.

If you are hanging around in Salt Lake City you may wish to join Dick Eastman on the evening of the conference close. Details are available on Dick's blog.

You are Invited: Saturday EOGN Dinner after RootsTech in Salt Lake City - Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter

National Year of Reading

2012-01-01T12:01:00.000+11:00

2012 has been designated as the National Year of Reading in Australia. Loads of information can be found on the NYR website at http://www.love2read.org.au/

How will this affect Australian genealogists? Will we let it sail by or will we embrace NYR 2012 and become unofficial ambassadors for reading. As a former librarian I want to recognise and support this endeavour.

I notice that "Inside History" Magazine has an article about the event in Issue 8 but, as I haven't yet read the article, I'm not aware of its content. Their teaser says "We celebrate 2012 as the National Year of Reading by asking: what’s your favourite history book?"

A fave kids' author of mine, Hazel Edwards who is also an avid genealogist and genealogy author is also a National Ambassador.

So what can we genealogists do to recognise the National Year of Reading?
Here are some of my thoughts:

Review your favourite genealogy books on your blog
Mention NYR in blogs and other social media
Form an online genealogy book group
Donate a genealogy book to your local library or family history society
Have a genealogy book 'show and tell' session at your local genealogy society meeting
Maintain a genealogy reading log - either online at Librarything or in a journal
Invite a local librarian to be a guest speaker at your genealogy society
Write an article about how reading helped you knock down a genealogy brick wall
Create a geneameme about reading and genealogy
Have some read aloud sessions of children's books from yesteryear at your local genealogy society
Write that genealogy book that's been evolving inside you
Offer to mount a display of genealogy books at your local library
Compile and publish online or elsewhere a list of your genealogy top ten books
Invite aNYR National Ambassador to your genealogy society meeting

What can you suggest?

Birth Announcement

2012-01-01T00:01:00.000+11:00

BIRTHS

December 30, 2011 In Cyberspace to Jill Ball (aka Geniaus) a new blog - AndroidGenealogy. A comfortable home birth. Mother and Baby both well and looking forward to visitors at androidgenealogy.blogspot.com

Geniaus 2011 Top of the Pops

2011-12-31T07:00:00.000+11:00

Copying an idea from other geneabloggers I am listing, for those who may be interested, my most popular posts of 2011. My personal favourite is the story of my grandmother's first husband, John Bertram Chatfield.

Fling it in the folder - my digital filing system

May 20, 2011, 16 comments

Another item is crossed off my bucket list, or is ...

Feb 15, 2011, 12 comments

So you think you're a Tech Savvy Genealogist...

Sep 15, 2011, 15 comments

The Ancestors' Geneameme

Oct 14, 2011, 29 comments

John Bertram Chatfield - Trans-Tasman ANZAC Day bl...

Apr 24, 2011, 10 comments

Is Mocavo all that it claims to be? ie "The best f...

Mar 16, 2011, 9 comments

The Earlybird catches the Worm

Jan 6, 2011, 5 comments

99 Things Genealogy Meme - Aussie Style

Sep 5, 2011, 13 comments

Of the static pages on my blog (that aren't static at all because
I keep editing them) by far the most popular is the one in which
I record my Continuing Genealogical Development.:

My CGD Learning Log

Apr 13, 2011

Ouch - It's Report Card Time

2011-12-31T00:02:00.000+11:00

On New Year's Eve 2010 I posted my (genealogy) plans for 2011 which I will paste below. As I can't remember what I had proposed to do in 2011 there will be some revelations for me as I read through and comment on the list.

Here goes:

* Put the living before the dead - when family members visit make them the focus of my attention; I think I've done pretty well here. As well as spending lots of time with the grandkids I have taken or planned trips with my children and their families.

* Take advantage of serendipity moments eg actively listen to the Aunts at family gatherings, take photos of family members/groups at gatherings; record notes of information shared on my smartphone, scraps of paper, serviettes - just get it down; Use my new Android Tablet for this purpose

* Use web 2.0 technologies to promote genealogy in Australia, eg Blogger, Twitter,GenealogyWise Australian Group - Special emphasis on using other people's blogs for conversation. Have added Genealogy+ to my stable of tools, have a morning routine for connecting with my Android tablet.

* Be patient with fellow researchers who do not share my enthusiasm for technology; Practising this when I visit the two societies I joined this year.Coming to the realisation that not everyone shares my enthusiasm for technology.

* Get organised - Try harder. Getting there. My fling it in the folder system is working well.

* Go through ancestors records one by one and properly record sources for all information- Still at the beginning of the alphabet

* Digitise all certificates, wills etc. in my posession - Ongoing but could do better

* Scan and tag my family history photographs - Finish project - Not quite finished but organised into family folders as part of Fling it in the Folder project

* Respond to emails from fellow genealogists in a timely manner; Improved - but communicating more via social media

* Become a more active member of The Society of Australian Genealogists; Presented a couple of workshops for them that I think went well but haven't been invited back - Did I blot my copybook? Would attend more of their talks but have to choose wisely as, at $20 a pop, the cost mounts quickly.

* Attend and Present Genealogy workshops/lectures; Retirement has given me lots of time to work on my Continuing Genealogical Development - have done well in this area. Attending Rootstech was the highlight of the year.

* Prepare for the 2012 National Year of Reading - Promote this event to genealogists, Read for genealogy and add to personal genealogy library. Have only tweeted a couple of times about NYR - need to blog about it. Have added a number of titles to my genealogy library - haven't read all of them yet.

I certainly strayed from my plans in 2011 but, as genealogy is something I do for pleasure, I am not going to castigate myself severely.

A few other things that happened in 2011 that pleased me were:

Finally retiring from a real job so that I have loads more time for family history related activities
Falling in love with my Android tablet and exploring its uses for genealogy
Being invited to be an Official Blogger and being accepted to present at Rootstech 2012
Being published in Inside History Magazine with the prospect of more articles on the horizon
Joining and being made welcome at two local family history societies and being asked to write for a society newsletter
Noting the growing readership of my Geniaus blog
Setting up a Geniaus site with Weebly
Connecting and sharing information and photos with new cousins found via the internet
Finding and reading the writings of genealogists new to me via social media
Having opportunities to research ancestors in places like the National Archives at Kew, the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and the New York Public Library

I am one very satisfied amateur genealogist.

Connect, Learn, Share

2011-12-30T12:30:00.000+11:00

As I can't seem to remember them for more than a day after I write them I am giving up on long shopping lists of genealogy goals for the future, taking a leaf out of Amy Coffin's book (not the one on blogging) and having just three genealogy goals for 2012:

Connect - Learn - Share

I figure that most of the goals (except getting organised but it could fit into learning) I wish to achieve fit into these three categories. My chicken and egg problem was that I couldn't decide which should come first so I resorted to my library training and selected good old alphabetical order.

Connect - Learn - Share - That is what I will do in 2012.

Genealogy on the High Seas

2011-12-30T11:47:00.000+11:00

I love cruising. Unpacking my bags once, travelling overnight to a new port each day and being fed and watered each day without having to consider that infernal travel issue of "Where will we eat tonight?"

Some of my cruising experiences have been enhanced by the personal enrichment activities on offer. I learnt the ins and outs of Photoshop elements on a cruise up the Eastern Coast of the US and Canada and gained great photography tips from Peter Simon on a cruise round the Caribbean. Sadly I have not yet struck a genealogy cruise that fits in with my requirements and schedule.

While I was on my most recent cruise around the Hawaiian Islands details were announced for the 3rd Unlock the Past History & Genealogy Cruise in February 2013. While I'd like to join this cruise I don't think I can make it as I'll either be at Rootstech 2013 (if there is one) or on a South American cruise that I am trying to convince Mr Geniaus that we need to take. I had to miss the 2nd Unlock the Past cruise due to my Hawaiian excursion.

The 9th Annual Legacy Genealogy Cruise that is in two parts, to be held in May 2012, will visit Norway, France, Ireland, England, Scotland, and Denmark is my pick so far for 2012. It travels to some places in Norway I have never visited, visits some favourite ones and does nothave too many days at sea to bore the sox off Mr Geniaus. Unfortunately I cannot justify purchasing the international airfares to join this cruise so soon after returning from Rootstech in March.

This March genealogy cruise from Bombay to Luxor has appeal to me - I do hope this company offers more genealogy cruises in the future as I like travelling on smaller ships rather than the monsters that are used for some genealogy cruises.

Perhaps the Wholly Genes cruise that is usually held later in the year will suit me. I do wish that announcements for these events were made earlier so that people like me could watch out and take advantage of airfare specials to the Northern Hemisphere.

Some day my genealogy cruise will come!

Official Bloggers up Bright and Early

2011-12-29T12:56:00.000+11:00

2011 Official Bloggers - Bright-eyed at an early morning briefing

Geniaus slept through her alarm one morning at Rootstech 2011 and so was late for an early morning Official Bloggers' breakfast and briefing.

I have learnt my lesson and, as an Official Blogger again in 2012, will be arriving in Salt Lake City a few days prior to the Conference so that the effects of cross-Pacific jetlag can wear off. In just four weeks I will be leaving Sydney for my trek to Salt Lake City. I look forward to meeting up with my fellow Official Bloggers for 2012 most of whom return from 2011with the addition of a couple of new faces for 2012. You can meet them here.

Please drop by the Bloggers Cage (or whatever they call it) and say hello if you are at Rootstech.

Will I or won't I?

2011-12-28T10:56:00.000+11:00

There has been much discussion on the TMGSydney Yahoo Group about the recent release of Version 8.0 of The Master Genealogist (TMG) software.

I am in a quandary. Should I upgrade? I have been a loyal TMG user for many years. About ten years ago I moved over to TMG after trying a couple of other software packages and have been a reasonably happy user. I do not, however, use many of its advanced features and have not made many personal modifications to the package out of the box.

I love Darrin Lythgoe's The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding that I use to publish my family tree on the web and wish I had the skills to use this as my primary database.

As I read more and more from genealogists both in Australia and abroad I have become aware that there are a number of reasonable alternatives to TMG. Shelley from Twigs of Yore has moved to Family Historian, an award winning product from the UK, and appears to be very happy with that product, while Kerry Farmer who co-wrote "Which Genealogy Program?" is the chairperson of The Sydney TMG Group.

The three most popular programs in the US appear to be Family Tree Maker, Legacy and Rootsmagic with Family Historian ahead of TMG in the Top 10 list. Among my geneablogging contacts there are evangelists for each of these programs.

What should I do?

Twitter Changes

2011-12-28T08:28:00.001+11:00

5 Twitter Changes and How to Make the Most of Them

RootsTech 2012 Update: Book Vendors in the Exhibit Hall

2011-12-27T13:15:00.000+11:00

Just before I headed off to Hawaii and signed off from Social Media for a while there was a bit of controversary around the Rootstech Organisers' decision to ban Book Vendors from the Exhibit Hall. Congratulations to the organisers for listening to their audience and posting this response on their Facebook Page:

"We greatly appreciate all the recent comments and concerns related to book vendors being present at RootsTech. We’ve been listening. One of our top goals has been to help introduce a very different kind of family history conference, which certainly requires a balancing act—bringing technologists together with genealogists to inspire important technology solutions for the industry.

It has become clear that there is indeed demand from the community to have book vendors at RootsTech, and we are pleased to extend book vendors an invitation to exhibit at the conference.

Thanks again to the community for all the great feedback. We look forward to seeing you in February!"

TMG v8 has been released

2011-12-27T12:05:00.000+11:00

TMG v8 has been released!

PRESS RELEASE

Family History Software Takes Another Leap Forward

Columbia, Maryland - 21 December 2011 -Wholly Genes Software announces a major new release of its popular family history project manager, The Master Genealogist. The software, known by its users as "TMG," is favored by novice and expert researchers alike because of its extreme flexibility, extensive documentation features, and the ability to transform dry family data into impressive charts, forms, and narrative reports.
This new release, TMG v8, includes a completely new report writer to accommodate 64-bit operating systems, but that is just the beginning of an impressive list of new and expanded features.

"For 18 years, TMG has consistently introduced innovative features that have slowly developed into industry standards," said the company president, Bob Velke. "Version 8 is no exception, with ground-breaking features like color-coded narrative reports and the ability to import groups of people or entire families from a spreadsheet."

For those who prefer, its new "Add Multiple People" and "Add Family" screens, which resemble a spreadsheet environment. are among the many new features in TMG v8 which were designed to make data entry easier and faster. Like many of the program's most useful features, they were suggested by TMG's very active user community. Other examples include a greatly expanded list of default roles (to link witnesses to the events of other people), an option to design new roles "on the fly," new features to share your customizations with other researchers, and the ability to output Pedigree charts to Word or RTF with an index.

The expanded web-searching tool in TMG v8 now supports 15 sites, including Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, One Great Family, Footnote/Fold3, World Vital Records, and FindAGrave.com. (Some sites provide search results but require a subscription for full access to the records.) The feature supports the specific search options of each site and can even be configured to search them all at once. "After searching Google Books for a name like 'Lucinda Rodgers,'" said Velke, "how often do we get distracted by the results and forget to go back and search for 'Rodgers, Lucinda', its spelling variations, or her married name(s)?" TMG's new web-searching tool won't forget to try all of the permutations of your search that are supported by each site and could lead to great new discoveries.

The Master Genealogist v8 Gold Edition is available for $59 as a download from www.WhollyGenes.com and from its international dealers. The upgrade for users of v7 is $29.95. An optional CD is available by mail for a nominal extra charge.

Don't neglect the living.

2011-12-27T09:46:00.000+11:00

I'm back!

I have returned from a family jaunt to Hawaii with Mr Geniaus (BobBob), our daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren. We had a wonderful time sharing experiences and creating many special memories with the youngsters. Hopefully as they grow older they will have fond memories of their first swim at Waikiki, travelling in the back seat of a number of Dodge Caravans around the Hawaiian Islands, cruising on the Pride of America, watching volcanic lava flowing into the sea from our balcony, seeing swordfish chase our ship, BobBob combing their hair at every opportunity, numerous bargain hunting jaunts to Ala Moana, Macys, Nordstrom Rack and Ross Stores, posing for many photos for Gummy(me), fine dining at American icons The Cheesecake Factory, Bubba Gumps, Benihana and The California Pizza Kitchen and spending hours on the waterslides at The Hilton Hawaiian Village.

Gummy and Grandkids waiting outside The Cheesecake Factory, Waikiki

Before setting off on our journey I prepared a few blog posts for publication during my time away and I managed to write one post from Hawaii. Due to lack of new posts the statistics for visits to my blog during December are about 1/3 the number for the two preceding months but are a result of not neglecting the living. I am pleased that I had over 2,000 visits during my absence. Having an opportunity to share such wonderful experiences with the offspring is treasured.

We genealogists must remember the importance of emerging from the past and grabbing opportunities to concentrate on the living.

Christmas Greetings

2011-12-24T15:00:00.000+11:00

Christmas Greetings to you and your Loved Ones

from

Geniaus and Family

2011

Geniaus - Christmas 1954

Aussies eligible to win at Rootstech

2011-12-23T07:49:00.000+11:00

Great news for genealogists all over the world on the Legacy Family Tree Blog.

"The first-ever Genealogy Idol competition will take place during the RootsTech conference on Thursday, February 2, 2012 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Anyone can participate regardless of where they live or whether they attend the conference."

Come on, Aussies, Come on - How about showing the world what great genies we have downunder by registering your interest to take part in this activity for the chance to win a a Flip-Pal Scanner.

Full details can be found here on the Legacy News Blog.

21st Century Christmas Greetings

2011-12-21T16:58:00.002+11:00

One of my old workmates posted this video on Facebook. Those of my readers who use Social Media should enjoy it.

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories 2010 - December 15 - The Holiday Happenings!

2011-12-15T09:42:00.000+11:00

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories 2010 - December 15 - The Holiday Happenings!

With the madness of current Holiday Happenings I haven't had time for an Advent Calendar post for a few days. I didn't just want to just write about the preparations and functions we attend today but wanted something from the past that typifies what we do in Australia over the holidays. Fortuitously a link to a pertinent video arrived on my RSS feeds this morning.

As our weather is hot and the long school holidays coincide with Christmas many Australian families flock to the beach for annual holidays. I have previously blogged about our journeys to Ettalong, NSW. As a teenager I lived a afew hundred yards from Coogee Beach in Sydney, I spent most of my school holidays swimming and surfing with friends and getting burnt to a crisp.

The delightful video, Summertime, that I can't seem to embed in this post has been prepared from a series of glass plate negatives and set to music. The photos tell a story of summer on Coogee Beach around 1900. Although the imaages are old, the buidings have disappeared and the beachfront promenade has been updated the people enjoying the beach today still engage in the same activities that people did over 100 years ago.

Please watch Summertime.

This post was first published in 2010

Blog Caroling - Downunder Style - Reprise

2011-12-15T08:47:00.000+11:00

I am recycling this blog post from a year ago for the Christmas Season as my new readers will not have read it.

In Australia where Christmas falls in our hot and humid summer we sing traditional carols and Christmas songs about snow and mistletoe and open fires with gusto.

My favourite carols are those that are written with our Australian conditions in mind. I recently blogged about Six White Boomers - one of my favourite fun Christmas songs. Another favourite is Aussie Jingle Bells in a Rusty Holden Ute.

We also have some beautiful Christmas carols. One of my favourites, because it conjures up memories of a solo sung by my angelic. blonde six year old son surrounded by classmates in his school's Christmas concert many years ago, is The Silver Stars are in the Sky. There a a few versions of this carol on Youtube, I am posting one by The Phoenix Singers:

In case you feel like singing along here are the lyrics:

The Silver Stars are in the Sky
Words: John Wheeler. Music William G James

The silver stars are in the sky,
The red-gold moon goes riding high,
O, sleep my little one sleep!
Once long ago, against her breast,
A mother rocked her child to rest,
Who was the Prince of Heav'n above,
The Lord of happiness and love.
O, sleep, my little one sleep!
The boobook calls across the night,
The brown moths flutter in the light,
O, sleep, my little one sleep!
In Bethlehem long, long ago,
When roads and paddocks gleam'd with snow;
On this same night, that mother mild,
Lull'd into dreams her royal child.
So, sleep, my little one, sleep!

Another favourite that conjures up images of our red, dusty plains is "The North Wind is Tossing the Leaves". This Youtube version is by Bucko and Champs who have posted a great collection of Australian Christmas Music on Youtube.

The North Wind
Words: John Wheeler. Music William G James

The north wind is tossing the leaves
the red dust is over the town
The sparrows are under the eaves
And the grass in the paddock is brown
As we lift up our voices and sing
To the Christ child the heavenly king.
The tree ferns in green gullies sway
the cool stream flows silently by
the joy bells are greeting the day
And the chimes are adrift in the sky
As we lift up our voices and sing
To the Christ child the heavenly king.

This post was prepared for Blog Caroling with The Footnote Maven

Do you know Ron Dunn?

2011-12-10T16:08:00.000+11:00

A snap from my Dad's army days.

Allan John Curry and Ron Dunn

This photo was taken near Cook on the Nullabor Plain, in 1943. I imagine that the railway lines beside the boys and their vehicle is part of The Trans-Australian Railway.

Do you know Ron Dunn?

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories 2010 - December 8 - Christmas Cookies

2011-12-08T09:36:00.000+11:00

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories 2010 - December 8 - Christmas Cookies

Christmas cookies are missing from the list of seasonal food I serve at Christmas time.

Cooking and Catering

A biscuity item I bake each year is "Scotch shortbread" . The recipe comes via my husband's step-grandmother,Isabella Scott, and was published in "Cooking and Catering" compiled by the Arcadia Methodist Ladies sometime in the 1950s.

As a young bride I was given a copy of this book by Isa who religiously baked shortbread for the extended family each year. When Isa moved from the family home at Arcadia to a retirement village I started baking multiple batches of shortbread for the family and continue to do so each year.

Isa's recipe was a little short on instructions so I annotated her recipe in the book with cooking instructions dictated to me by Isa.

The book contains many recipes that are still useful in today's climate. I have reproduced another of my favourites below.

A Favourite Recipe

Until I started writing this post I hadn't thought much about the little cookbook that features quite a number of Isa's recipes. I am now going to copy the little book and store the original with my genealogy files as it is a printed resource that gives information about Isa and her activities.

This post was first published for the Advent Calendar Calendar of Christmas Memories in 2010

My Rooted Technology

2011-12-07T15:00:00.000+11:00

By attending RootsTech 2012 you’ll have the opportunity not only to network with other genealogists, vendors and developers and share the knowledge you currently have, but you’ll also get the chance to learn even more about the latest in technology for family history.

As an Official RootsTech 2012 Blogger, here’s a look at the technology I currently use and what keeps me rooted in my genealogy research. I also explain why I am using or not using certain technologies and gadgets as well as what skills and knowledge I’m hoping to gain at RootsTech this year.

If you want to join in the fun and show off your own tech cred, here are the rules for the My Rooted Technology meme:

Technology you already use: bold face type
Technology you would like to use or learn more about: italicize (color optional)
Technology you don’t use, have no interest in using or no longer use: plain type
Explain or give opinions in brackets [ ] at the end of each bullet point

I have a tablet computer such as an iPad that I use for genealogy (I love my Android - I'll be talking about it in The Galaxy Girls presentation at Rootstech)
I have downloaded one or more apps to a Smart Phone or similar device. (Too many - I need to learn to discriminate)
I belong to a genealogy society that uses social media. (Two Australian ones)
I use GEDCOM files and understand the various compatibility issues involved
I have added metadata to some of my files and digital photos. (85,000 photos tagged so far - I was once a librarian and love labelling and categorising)
I have utilized an API from a genealogy-related application or website.
I have taken a DNA test related to my genealogy research.
I have used the FamilySearch Research Wiki.
I have a Facebook account and use it regularly for genealogy. (But I prefer Google+)
I use tech tools to help me cite my sources in genealogy research.
I have developed a genealogy-related app for a Smart Phone or similar device. (You've got to be joking)
I use a genealogy database program (Family Tree Maker, Legacy Family Tree, RootsMagic etc.) (The Master Genealogist (TMG) and The Next Generation of Genealogy Software (TNG))
I use cloud computer resources to store my genealogy data. (I find it easiest to use Gmail to store my most important docs. I just email them to myself at one of my three Google accounts)
I have made one or more contributions to the FamilySearch Research Wiki.
I have attended a genealogy webinar.
I have organized and administered a DNA testing group related to my genealogy.
I use apps involving GPS and Geo-caching for my genealogy research.
I have a Google+ account and use it regularly for genealogy. (Wish more genies would move to Google+)
I have created and published a family history e-book. (Have no desire to do so at the moment - prefer to publish on the web)
I have created a wiki related to my genealogy research. (Created a wiki when I had a real job and love the platform - prefer to contribute to a larger one for genealogy eg Familysearch)
I have conducted a genealogy webinar as a presenter. (Would love to teach a webinar)
I read genealogy-related blogs to help improve my own research. (In bed each morning with my coffee)
I have one or more genealogy-related blogs to help improve my own research.
I have a Twitter account and use it regularly for genealogy.
I have one or more genealogy-related websites which I run and administer.
I have created a screencast or video related to genealogy and posted it at a video sharing site (Vimeo, YouTube, etc.).
I use one or more digital tools to capture and record my family history.

Advent Calendar – December 5 - Outdoor Decorations

2011-12-05T10:27:00.000+11:00

Outdoor Christmas decorations at our home are practically non-existent.

We live at the end of a long drive and our house not visible to passers by so we make do with a set of fairy lights on the verandah that we turn on if visitors or family are expected. We are so lazy that we leave this string of lights up all year but we can turn it on whenever we have a celebration at our home.

Our Christmas tree is visible through a window so, if any hardy souls decide to wander down our dark drive, they will see that we do decorate for Christmas.

2011-12-05T09:12:00.001+11:00

I am excited about attending The 13th Australasian Congress on Genealogy and Heraldry in Adelaide next year but cannot find a Social Media Policy on the Conference website. The Terms and Conditions page does indicate:
"Delegates are not permitted to film, photograph or record the audio of any Congress sessions without our prior written approval.

Any Congress materials provided to delegates are subject to copyright and may only be reproduced to the extent that this is expressly authorised."

I have written to the Conference Organisers asking for some guidance on the use of Social Media at the Congress. I have provided a link to the FGS policy in case they need some guidance.

Hopefully the organisers won't put too many restrictions on people who want to share news from the Congress via social media. I will share the response to my email once I hear back from the Congress organisers.

Who else is going to the Congress?

I note from their website that Earlybird Registration has been extended until 31 December so you still have time to Register at the reduced rate.

Noeline Kyle at Hawkesbury FHG

2011-12-04T14:44:00.001+11:00

I have been a regular visitor to the meetings of the Hawkesbury Family History Group this year and have enjoyed the varied program of talks organised by Michelle Nichols.

Michelle just posted this reminder on the [AUS-GEN-EVENTS] elist. I am sorry I won't be around to hear Noeline speak at Hawkesbury this month as I enjoyed her sessions at Mosman earlier this year. It would be well worth the trip to Windsor to hear Neoline speak. There is parking available in the carpark under the library.

"The next Hawkesbury Family History Group meeting is Wednesday 14 December & the topic is 'Remembering, Recording & Writing Your Family Stories' with historian/author Dr Noeline Kyle.

Would you like to write a family story that others will want to read, which is clearly set out, authentic & easy to read. Would you like to learn how to utilise strategies to begin organising your text into a credible, readable & appealing family story?

Anyone interested is welcome to attend, no need to book just come along - it's free and starts at 10am at Hawkesbury Library, Deerubbin Centre, 300 George Street, Windsor. This will be the final meeting for the group for 2011 and the next meeting will be held 8 February 2012."

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories 2010 - December 4 - Christmas Cards

2011-12-04T09:16:00.000+11:00

Enclosed with my Christmas cards for the last ten years or so has been a family Christmas letter in which I summarise the hatches, matches, dispatches, trials and triumphs of immediate family members. I have heard people scoff at these annual epistles by calling them "brag bulletins" and other derogatory names. To these people I say "Bah, Humbug".

When I look back at my collection of Christmas Letters I find that I have a neat summary of important family events for the last decade. If I continue the practice for another couple of decades I will have a rich resource to pass on to future generations who may not be simply interested in the dry Birth, Death and Marriage facts in my family tree but in our activities.

I must admit to not fully reading some of the Christmas letters I get as they are just too long. I love hearing of the doings of other families but prefer an "executive summary" rather than a novel. I edit, edit and edit again and make sure that my letter is no more than an A4 page in a font size that is readable.

As it's now 4th December I must away, reflect on the past year and write my Christmas Chronicle".

This post was written for the Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories and first published in 2010

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories 2010 - December 3 - Christmas Tree Ornaments

2011-12-03T09:11:00.000+11:00

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories 2010 - December 3 - Christmas Tree Ornaments

As this is an Aussie blog I am going to write about some decoration that is an essential part of our Australian Christmas. It is not a Christmas Tree decoration.

Ceratapetalum Alberys Red, Ceratopetalum Gummiferum
or New South Wales Christmas Bush is an essential element in our Christmas decorating.

This Australian native shrub has masses of white flowers in spring followed by red, star shaped calyxes that appear in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Bunches of these flowers become quite expensive around Christmas time as it is a highly sought item. We are lucky that we have a couple of mature plants that provide enough flowers to fill vases for ourselves, family and friends.

NSW Christmas Bush - An Aussie Decoration

This post was written for the Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories and first posted in 2010

A Gentle Man - A Football Giant

2011-12-02T16:39:00.001+11:00

It is always sad when one has to add a new death date to the family tree.

I was distressed yesterday to hear of the passing at 66 years of age of Arthur Henry Beetson, who was my mother's second cousin. I had previously blogged about Artie's relationship to our family this year after my cousin asked "Who is our relative the aboriginal footballer? " My readers who are not Australian might wish to read the Wikipedia article that outlines Arthur's impressive career.

Several months ago another distant cousin contacted me and asked if he could give Arthur my 'phone number as Arthur was keen to find out more about his family history. I replied in the affirmative as I was keen to talk to Arthur and discover his story. When Arthur contacted me around six weeks ago we had a lovely chat, I was so impressed by his gentle manner and his concern that he would be putting me out with his request. I assured Arthur that it would be a pleasure to put something together for him.

I took a look at the branch of the tree that we share and decided that I needed to relook at the branch and to then write a piece about them, not just for Arthur, but for all the descendants of our plucky convicts, Elizabeth Phipps, James Westbrook, Robert Hayward and William Magick. I am deeply saddened that I did not get to finish that task before I heard the news of Arthur's passing on the radio yesterday.

Arthur Beetson's Ancestry on Geniaus' Site

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories 2010 - December 2 - Holiday Foods

2011-12-02T09:19:00.001+11:00

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2010

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories 2010 - December 2 - Holiday Foods

Christmas Pudding (made by Geniaus) - 1984

Why do we do it to ourselves? TRADITION!

Preparing the Christmas poultry - 2003

A Sydney Christmas is typically hot and humid but we continue to cook a traditional English hot Christmas lunch each December 25th. Slaving over a stove in a steamy kitchen is not my idea of a perfect Christmas morning but I still do it. My 87 year old mother, although she eats like a bird, would be saddened if I served up something other than roast turkey with all the trimmings followed by plum pudding and brandy custard.

Other traditional goodies that grace our table over the Christmas break include dark fruit cake, shortbread made to an old family recipe, rum balls and fruit trifle. Locally grown strawberries and homegrown stone fruits togehter with cherries and mangoes provide a healthy element to our menu. We usually reserve glazed ham to have with yummy salads for Boxing Day lunch.

Now that our home is air-conditioned the discomfort has been somewhat alleviated. Cooking the meat outside in the Webber and BBQ has also relieved the strain on our domestic oven.

Roast Christmas Lunch - 1995

Will we change our menu when my mother is no longer with us? As I think my children really enjoy it I feel that this crazy tradition will survive.

Pass the gravy and cranberry sauce - 2007

This post was written for the Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories and first published in 2010

Are you in the Grip of Google?

2011-12-01T10:19:00.000+11:00

This week I visited an exhibition, Outpost - Art from the Streets, on Cockatoo Island in Sydney Harbour. I am not that into art but I really did enjoy some of the messages told in the works on display there.

Particularly relevant to my genealogy habit is my relationship with Google. This work by Mini Graff struck a chord with me.

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - December 1 - The Christmas Tree

2011-12-01T09:28:00.000+11:00

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - December 1 - The Christmas Tree

Whether I will be able to sustain daily blogging in the busy leadup to Christmas I do not know. I am starting off with good intentions with my maiden post in The Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories proposed by Thomas MacEntee of Geneabloggers.Australian blogger, Shelley, from Twigs of Yorehas started the ball rolling from downunder with her post and I am following suit.

New Christmas Tree 1978

My first three children are pictured in 1978 in our sparsely furnished new home with our brand new tree purchased from David Jones Department Store. We continued to use this tree for thirty years until we replaced it with a newer, smaller model in 2008. This 6 foot high plastic pine gave thirty years of good service and no doubt could tell many stories. It must have been of good quality as it is still in mint condition: it is packed away in our garage - I cannot part with something that has been so significant in our celebration of Christmas. It was the centrepiece for our celebrations over three decades in three family homes.

The decorations we used on the tree were not glamourous and did not change much from year to year. From 1984 the angel that perched on top of the tree was one made by our son in his kindergarten year; it wasn't too flash but it was made with love and we used it until its ping-pong ball head disintegrated a few years ago. Our tree was not a decorator item but a physical reminder of family Christmas traditions.

Grandchildren trim the tree - 2004

This post was written for the Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories First published in 2010

Flip-Pal available in Australia

2011-11-30T13:42:00.001+11:00

Thanks to Jennifer who made this comment on my blog yesterday about the availability of the Flip-Pal scanner in Australia. I had previously blogged about my nifty little unit that I purchased at Rootstech in February this year. A number of readers were frustrated because they could not purchase one in Australia.

At $AU219 the price is more than that in the US (but isn't that always the way for tech in Australia).

Jennifer said...

This place in Australia appears to sell it.
http://www.digitalcentre.com.au

http://www.digitalcentre.com.au/p/4542776/flip-pal-mobile-scanner.html

November 29, 2011 11:39 AM

St Andrew's Day - 30 November

2011-11-30T06:51:00.000+11:00

Today, 30th November, is the feast day of St Andrew, patron Saint of Scotland, and a Bank Holiday in Scotland. I send greetings to all Scots especially those Scottish cousins we hope to identify some day.

Saint Andrew's Cross or the Saltire
The flag of Scotland

Mr Geniaus and I have a few Scots in our family tree so I thought I'd see if any of them were named after the Saintly Andrew. A perusal of our combined trees returns only one Scot named Andrew. Andrew Sibbald, my husband's 3rd cousin 3 times removed was born in Tranent, Haddingtonshire, Scotland in 1874.

The son of James Sibbald and Elizabeth Cunningham, Andrew appears on three Scottish Censuses 1881, 1891 and 1901. At the age of 27 in 1901 he was a ploughman working at Overton House Cottage, Kirknewton and East Calder in Scotland.

Are there any Scottish Andrews in your tree?

Foreigners at Rootstech?

2011-11-29T20:25:00.001+11:00

Have you been looking at those discounted airfares to the US and wondering whether you should bag a bargain fare and head to Salt Lake City for Rootstech 2012?

Are you a foreigner like me thinking there may be nothing on the program to interest you?

The conference sessions (or classes as they call them in the US) on offer at Rootstech have international appeal. At this year's conference I found so many topics that piqued my interest that I had difficulty choosing which sessions to attend. There may have been some very UScentric presentations but I must have glazed over them as there was so much else with international appeal leaping out from program.

The technology focus of talks at Rootstech has universal appeal as the software and hardware under discussion is used for genealogical activities all over the world. In our global village we share similar issues no matter where we live.

As an Australian with British heritage I found a lot at the Rootstech conference to amuse me. As well as speakers from Britain and Ireland there was a good representation of exhibitors from abroad. Companies like BrightSolid and FindMyPast cannot afford to send representatives to our small Australian conferences but it is economically viable to have a presence at a large event like Rootstech with over 3000 delegates. I do hope BrightSolid appear in 2012 so that I can have some free access to the new British Newspaper Archive.

In 2011 I particularly enjoyed being exposed to a range quality keynote speakers that I would never get to hear in my home country. An examination of the program for 2012 indicates that there is another stunning lineup on offer.

With earlybird registration closing on November 30 it is time to ACT NOW and save yourself $60 on the full registration fee.

Should you have any questions about attending this event do not hesitate to contact me. I am an Official Blogger (the only one not from North America) for the conference and would be thrilled to chat to you.