Responses to the Accentuate the Positive 2024 Geneameme

 

I was blown away by the varied responses I received from the challenge that I posted last month. Now that the hubbub surrounding the holiday season has died down I am spending some time reading and absorbing the content shared by those who participated. 

Thanks all for your genearosity in supporting this activity at a busy time of the year. 

As I said last year "It warms my heart to see so many genies reflecting on their practice and realising that they have made progress during their geneayear. It is important to reflect/assess/evaluate our research and practices. "

I hope I haven't missed any contributions. If I have please let me know and I will add your link. If you fancy some reflection I'm always happy to receive new contributions as documents, in emails or in blog posts.

I learnt so much from reading the following. I hope you will too. 

Alex Daw https://familytreefrog.blogspot.com/2024/12/accentuate-positive-2024.html

Anne Young  https://anneyoungau.wordpress.com/2025/01/01/family-history-progress-in-2024/

Bobbie Edes  https://gsq-blog.gsq.org.au/accentuate-the-positive-27-jan-2025-atp-2024/

Campaspe Genealogy https://campaspegenealogy.blogspot.com/2024/12/accentuate-positive-geneameme.html

Carmel Galvin  https://earlieryears.blogspot.com/2024/12/accentuate-positive-2024.html

Jennifer Jones  https://trackingdownthefamily.substack.com/p/accentuate-the-positive-2024-geneameme?r=4aszx5

Karen Packard Rhodes  https://karenaboutgenealogy.blogspot.com/2025/01/accentuate-positive-2024.html

Lilian Magill https://researchbylily.blogspot.com/2024/12/accentuate-positive-2024-geneameme.html

Linda Stufflebean  https://emptybranchesonthefamilytree.com/2024/12/accentuate-the-positive-2024-geneameme/

Michele Nichols https://michellefnichols.blogspot.com/2024/12/accentuate-positive-2024-geneameme.html

Pauleen Cass  https://cassmobfamilyhistory.com/2025/01/23/accentuate-the-positive-2024/

Robyn Ford  https://robynandthegenies.blogspot.com/2024/12/accentuate-positive-2024-i-marie-kondod.html

Shauna Hicks  https://www.shaunahicks.com.au/accentuate-the-positive-geneameme

A last thought for you was included in Anne Young's response. 

Kiva

Together with a number Genies from around the world I am a member of the 'Genealogists for Families' Project on Kiva. 

We believe that our small deeds can make a big difference to families who are less fortunate.

Our motto is, 'We care about families (past, present and future)'

This morning I received a summary of my activity on Kiva for January to June 2024

My Kiva Activity 

I loaned some of that $US41.59  this morning to Ukashatu in Ghana.

Lending with Kiva is such a rewarding activity as one knows the identity of the borrowers and can see how the funds are being expended. I encourage you to join our team

Click here for details

Accentuate the Positive 2023 - Responses

Thanks to the wonderful genies who have supported this exercise. A shoutout to Jennifer Jones who was the first to submit a response for 2023 and to Bobbie Edes and Linda Stufflebean for enquiring if I would be running the challenge this year.

It warms my heart to see so many genies reflecting on their practice and realising that they have made progress during their geneayear. It is important to reflect/assess/evaluate our research and practices. 

I hope I haven't missed any contributions. If I have please let me know and I will add your link. If you fancy some reflection I'm always happy to receive new contributions as documents, in emails or in blog posts. 

Please enjoy these inspirational posts from our genimates:

Alex Daw  https://familytreefrog.blogspot.com/2023/12/accentuate-positive-geneameme-2023.html

Andrew Redfern https://andrewredfern.com/reflecting-on-my-family-history-journey-in-2023/

Anne Young  https://anneyoungau.wordpress.com/2023/12/15/2023-progress-on-my-family-history/

Bobbie Edes (on GSQ blog) https://gsq-blog.gsq.org.au/remembering-to-accentuate-the-positive-2023-jill-balls-yearly-challenge/

Carmel Galvin  https://earlieryears.blogspot.com/2023/12/accentuate-positive-2023.html

 

Jane https://janeologist.blogspot.com/2024/01/accentuate-positive-reflection-on-my.html

Jennifer Jones  https://jonesfamilyhistory.wordpress.com/2023/12/09/accentuate-the-positive-geneameme-2023/

Karen LeSueur Packard Rhodes  https://karenaboutgenealogy.blogspot.com/2023/12/accenting-positive-in-old-song-were.html

Lilian Magill  https://researchbylily.blogspot.com/2023/12/accentuate-positive-2023.html

Linda Stufflebean  https://emptybranchesonthefamilytree.com/2023/12/accentuate-the-positive-2023-edition/

Pauline Williams (on GSQ Blog) https://gsq-blog.gsq.org.au/accentuate-the-positive-2023/

Robyn  https://robynandthegenies.blogspot.com/2023/12/accentuate-positive-2023-lost-found-and.html

Samantha John  https://lyfelynes.com/accentuate-the-positive-2023-genealogical-year-in-review/

Shauna Hicks  https://www.shaunahicks.com.au/accentuate-the-positive-geneameme-2023/

Memories - Snapped by Susan

A photo of me presenting a session at THE Genealogy Show in Birmingham, England in 2019 popped up in my Facebook memories today.

Jill presenting at The Genealogy Show 2019

I paused to remember the photographer, the late Susan K Howard, with whom I shared some memorable geneamoments online, at Rootstech and workring at THE Genealogy Show. Susan was a genial and generous genie.

Facebook Memories

Most days I look at my Facebook memories and share a few as posts on my personal blog. I date these posts retrospectively on the day they happened. This is my way of leaving a record of my antics for those descendants in the future who may want to know about my life.

I thought that this memory which popped up today was more appropriate for this genealogy focused blog.

_____________________________________________________________________

21 April 2016

My geneassistant is hard at work in the geneacave.

Chatting with the Genies at Cessnock

Yesterday I had a lovely drive of just over 30 minutes along some beautiful country roads to my face-face to face gig with the Family History Group that operates out of Cessnock Library. I didn't get lost, found a parking spot very close to the library and managed to buy some great non-fiction from the book sale in the library before I found my hosts.

On arrival I was warmly greeted by Sandy and group members. I also got to meet the Local Studies librarian, Kimberly O'Sullivan, whose passion for her work comes through in the posts she shares on the library's Facebook page. There is no doubt that the strength of the Local History collection is a result of Kimberly's energy and enthusiasm. 

I was envious when I saw the support the Group gets from Cessnock Library. Their home is in  one of the meeting rooms in a library that is well equipped with technology. The great news is that the group's resources have a home in filing cabinets and a compactus in that room. The Group has a regular weekly meeting there and can book it at other times. 

How I wish our group at Lake Macquarie had similar support from our local Council. That Council doesn't seem to recognise the value of giving a home to a family history group. A set up such as that enjoyed by our neighbours in Cessnock would be perfect.

Resources

Group's Filing Cabinets

Technology in the Meeting Room

Group's Compactus 

Some of the happy Cessnock genies

After meeting the Group members and looking at their facilities we moved to another room that was equipped with a Smartboard on which my powerpoint could be displayed. The technology worked and the library's IT support person was on hand if any difficulties arose.

My presentation

After chatting with the genies for two hours I was a little tired and thirsty but also invigorated by being able to speak in a face to face situation again.

When we returned to the meeting room there was a lovely lunch set up for those present and I was presented with a lovely bag of local delicacies. Thanks Cessnock genies for your warm welcome and amazing hosting. 

I may have had more than my share of egg and lettuce sambos. 

Joynealogy in Action

 Sunday was a great day of Joynealogy for me (and I hope the genies at Wyong Family History Group).

Way back during Covid times my 3rd cousin, Regina, asked me to present a seminar at her local family history group. Covid caused a few hiccups with scheduling a face-to-face event but, after a false start or two, we finally agreed on Sunday 20th April. If Covid reared its ugly head again we decided we could go virtual.

The gods shone on us and the seminar went ahead as a face-to-face event at The Wyong Golf Club last Sunday. My day of joy started with a voice (from genimate Janelle) in the carpark calling out "Jill" as I alighted from my car.

It's two years since I caught up with these genimates

My joy continued right through the day from when I gathered with the earlybirds on the steps of the Club waiting for opening time until the end of the day when I sat down and had a gossip with some genimates whom had I hadn't seen in the flesh for two years.

There were a number of my genimates and so many familiar faces at the event who all politely laughed at my "Mum" jokes. I hope they also learnt some new tip or tool to take away. The joy of the occasion, Wyong Family History Group's first seminar in quite a long time, was not so much in the learning it was in the camaraderie and mateship of those who attended the event. It was so refreshing to talk with real people rather than talking heads on a screen.

I presented three talks selected by the Wyong genies under the banner of 21st Century Genealogy : using old and new tools to connect and communicate - Social Media for Genealogy, Frugal Family History and Cousin Bait. I love gabbing on about my favourite tools.

I was captured in action by Regina

Regina and I were both smiling like Cheshire Cats when another of her cousins captured this happy snap at the end of a successful day. Oh, such Joy.

From the Archives - Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. What sort of genealogist am I?

Ten years ago on this day in 2011 I penned the following post which I am resahring here. I don't think I have changed much. 

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

Randy Seaver's latest edition of Saturday Night Fun reminded me of a post that I wanted to go back and read. Because I forgot to star it in my RSS reader I had trouble finding it. Thanks to Randy for directing me to The Stardust and Roots Blog where I found  "Sears Catalog of Genealogists".

In this humourous post Bart Brenner categorises genealogists. I had a few chuckles as I read through the post and worked out where I and my GeniMates belonged. I encourage other genies to read, enjoy and reflect on this post.

The categories Bart listed were:

1)  Albert Einstein model (the academician)
2)  Marian the Librarian model (the archivist)
3)  Indiana Jones model (the archaeologist)
4)  Margaret Mead model (the cultural anthropologist)
5)  Frank Buck model (the hunter and tamer)
6)  Amelia Earhart model (the test pilot)
7)  Ambrose Monk model (the hoarder)
8)  Cinderella model (the fairy princess)
9)  Steve Jobs model (the technogeek)

I imagine that others would share the difficulty I had in filing myself neatly into one of Bart's boxes. I am affected by the environment and my moods so my approach on a particular day will vary according to these influences.

I am significantly a Steve Jobs model with a big touch of Margaret Mead. My messy overcrowded house indicates I have a strong dose of Ambrose Monk in my makeup.

How about you?

How's your Footprint?

I was shocked to learn over the weekend of the death last month of my 3rd cousin, Michelle Gilliver-Smith. at the age of 55. Michelle was one of the first genealogists with whom I collaborated in snail mail days. We reconnected through DNA in 2017.

I had learnt of Michelle's death via the Facebook page of the Tomaree Family History Group Nelson Bay Inc. where Michelle, a longterm member, had been responsible for the website and newsletter. 

By putting her name into a Google search I found Michelle's death notice online and copied the details into my genealogy software. While at Google I found more mentions of Michelle including a comprehensive work, education and volunteering history she had entered on her LinkedIn Page, I made a note of this information. Michelle also had a summary of her career posted on a Wix site she had created. The LG Professionals page had a page long profile of Michelle in which she talked about her interest in Genealogy.

I looked at my DNA matches on Airtable where I record matches of kits I manage, I could see that Michelle had first tested with FTDNA and uploaded those results to Gedmatch, she later tested with Ancestry. On each of these sites Michelle had uploaded comprehensive family trees. Michelle was also a contributor to the Familysearch Family Tree. Geni.com and Wikitree.

Michelle was active on social media with accounts on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest. My Google search returned a comment from Michelle to Princess Cruises telling them how much she enjoyed her cruise on Diamond Princess in 2013! Also on the Google search I learnt of Michelle's donations to charity, found a couple of photos of her and some journal articles she had written.

Michelle who died at a relatively young age has, because of her commitment to her family history and use of online resources and social media sites, left a valuable footprint for future generations of our family to discover her story. As this blog is preserved in the Australian Web Archive on Trove (where there are already several mentions of Michelle) I have written this post to add to that footprint.

https://pixabay.com/photos/beach-sea-footprints-sand-water-5455896/
How's your Footprint?

Accentuate the Positive Geneameme 2019 - The Responses

Although I have not had as many responses to the Geneameme Challenge this year as in earlier years the quality of the responses tells me that it is a worthwhile exercise. I owe a HUGE thank you to everyone who put their fingers to the keyboard for this exercise. A shoutout also goes to
these people Jonny Perl, Blaine Bettinger and this event DNA Downunder that got so many mentions in the responses.

Back in the day when I was a Teacher/Librarian we had a big push to teach Information Skills that could be applied to any task which the students undertook. These are life skills that can be applied to everything from making a peanut butter sandwich to breaking down a brickwall in a family tree. 

The Information Skills Process

It's interesting to note that not only schools have a commitment to information skills. A quick tour of Google found that many universities have information skills programs.

So often we genealogists are so keen to attend to the next task on our list that do not take the time for step 6 ie to assess or reflect on our work. If we do not take time then we may continue to repeat our mistakes. Now I will step off my soapbox and share the reflections of those committed genies who took up my challenge.

Alex Daw  https://familytreefrog.blogspot.com/2020/01/accentuate-positive-geneameme-2019.html

Bobbie Edes  https://gsq-blog.gsq.org.au/accentuate-the-positive-geneameme-2019/

Harrison  https://harrison2214.wordpress.com/2020/01/04/accentuate-the-positive-geneameme-2019/

Jacquie  https://seedstotree.blogspot.com/2020/01/saturday-night-2019-positive-geneameme.html

Jane  https://janeologist.blogspot.com/2020/01/accentuate-positive-reflection-on-my.html

Janelle Collins  http://janellestree.blogspot.com/2020/01/accentuate-positive-geneameme-2019-as.html

Janice Sellers  http://www.ancestraldiscoveries.com/2020/01/saturday-night-genealogy-fun-accentuate.html

Jenni  jengenie.wordpress.com

Jill Ball  https://geniaus.blogspot.com/2020/01/accentuate-positive-geneameme-2019.html

KerrieAnne   https://asteelygenesjourney.wordpress.com/2020/01/12/accentuate-the-positive/

Kirsty Gray  https://family-wise.co.uk/blog/

Lilian Magill  http://researchbylily.blogspot.com/2020/01/accentuate-positive-2019.html

Linda Stufflebean https://emptybranchesonthefamilytree.com/2020/01/accentuate-the-positive-geneameme-2019/

Lisa Gorrell  https://mytrailsintothepast.blogspot.com/2020/01/saturday-night-genealogy-fun-accentuate.html

Lois Willis  https://loiswillis.blog/2020/01/12/sunday-afternoon-genealogy-fun-accentuate-the-positive-geneameme-2019/

M. Diane Rogers  https://canadagenealogy.blogspot.com/2020/01/a-merry-new-year-ahead-in-2020.html

Maureen Trotter  https://geniaus.blogspot.com/2020/01/accentuate-positive-geneameme-2019-from.html

Megan Franklin  http://meganfranklin.com/accentuate-the-positive-geneameme-2019/

Pauleen Cass  https://cassmobfamilyhistory.com/2020/01/03/accentuate-the-positive-2019/

Randy Seaver  https://www.geneamusings.com/2020/01/saturday-night-genealogy-fun-accentuate.html

Robbie Stockfeld  https://robbiesspot.wordpress.com/2020/01/11/accentuate-the-positive-2019/

Samantha John  https://lyfelynes.com/accentuate-the-positive-geneameme-2019/

Shauna Hicks  http://www.shaunahicks.com.au/accentuate-the-positive-geneameme-2019/

Vorfahrensucher @kafeldu Tweeted her responses.

Sincere apologies if I have missed anyone. Please let me know and I will add further responses here.

Accentuate the Positive Geneameme 2019 - from Genimate Maureen

My genimate, Maureen Trotter, whom I first met on an Unlock the Past cruise several years ago, took up my offer to send her geneameme responses to me for posting on this blog. I thank Maureen for her support and thoughtful responses.

Should you wish to send me your responses I will be happy to post them here too. See http://geniaus.blogspot.com/2019/12/accentuate-positive-geneameme-2019.html

___________________________________________________

1.  An elusive ancestor I found was - the missing quarter of my ancestry

3.  A geneajourney I took was – to South Gippsland taking a DNA test to my 92 year old Aunt

4.  important record – I am in the midst of locating lots about my “new” family

5.  A newly found family member shared

·    lots of 2^nd cousins sharing their DNA results (and some trees) made identifying my paternal grandfather’s family much easier. It was one of the neighbours!

·       a 3C2R living in Dublin shared a copy of the 1841 Census of Coatbridge (near Glasgow) which showed his great grandmother was living with her sister, my great great great grandmother and her family on Census night.

6.  A geneasurprise I received was – the surname was not what we had been told!

8.   I made new genimates who – share my passion for using DNA analysis to learn more about our ancestors

9.  A new piece of technology or skill I mastered was – lots this year, mostly DNA related!  Next steps include trying some of the more recent possibilities for Genetic Affairs clustering and finally starting DNA Painter itself. Visual Phasing sounds like a wonderful challenge for a bit further down the track.

10. I joined – the GSV DNA Genetic Genealogy Study Group and lots of Facebook DNA groups

11. A genealogy education session or event from which I learnt something new was – the 4 days of DNA Down Under

12. A blog post that taught me something new was – just about everything by Blaine Bettinger, Roberta Estes, Dana Leeds, Yvette Hoitink, and many others

13. A DNA discovery I made was - a very distant DNA match with genimate & Facebook friend Janelle.

14. I taught a genimate how to – in the 6 months since my first DNA test results arrived, I have helped many people with analysing and clustering their DNA results and using the WATO tool more effectively.

15. A brick wall I demolished was -not quite demolished yet, but my grandfather has to have been one of two brothers!

16. A great site I visited was – the DNA Painter site has been incredibly valuable to me in sorting out my DNA results. If you haven’t used the Shared cM Project or WATO yet, you should!

17. A new genealogy/history book I enjoyed was – “Genetic Genealogy in Practice” and “Advanced Genetic Genealogy”.

18. It was exciting to finally meet – a couple of my “new” cousins

19. I am excited for 2020 because – my sister and I are planning a trip to parts of Scotland that our newly discovered ancestors came from.

20. Another positive I would like to share is – how wonderful it is to be retired, with good health and sufficient income to be able to delve into a range of hobbies and interests, go on the occasional trip and still have time and energy to help family and community groups.

MIA - The Australian Genealogists Daily

For a few weeks I have been wondering what happened to my daily Paper.li editions of The Australian Genealogists Daily Paper. Recently I hadn't seen announcements for it on Twitter so this morning decided to investigate.

When I logged in to my page and looked for recent archived editions I couldn't find any recent ones. I haven't yet ascertained how many editions have been missing. What I did find when I went to my content settings was that the content I had been sharing had disappeared and this section was blank, As there was no content to share Paper.li didn't post any notifications to share.

I have now reinstated the content I share which is from the content that is sourced from the 143 members of my Australian Genealogists List on Twitter. While I was at it I also added my Youtube Channel as a content source. I will add some blog URLs from prominent Australian bloggers when I get a chance.

If you have been following The Australian Genealogists Daily notifications should appear in your Twitter feed soon. If you don't like Twitter you can create a Paper.li account and Subscribe to your favourite papers.

A Sense of Community

My past two days have been so busy and so rewarding.

I spent my days connecting with genimates at they took advantage of the #Congress_2018 pre-registration offered by The Society of  Australian Genealogists. The registration event took place right next door to to the home of the Society, Richmond Villa in the historic Glover Cottages.  Society President, Martyn Killion, had organised beautiful weather and Executive Officer, Heather Garnsey, organised some catering. While fellow volunteers from the Society dispensed conference badges and bags my role was a social one. I was on hand to offer a cuppa and cake and to chat with those who had tramped along Kent Street to the Cottages.

Several folk who had other things on their agendas popped in, grabbed their registration paraphernalia and took off but most lingered for the chat, cuppa and cake. Some even stayed for a few hours because the atmosphere in the courtyard was so convivial. The sense of community was evident as people who came along as strangers made new friends. I could see my aim of this Congress being a friendly affair being fulfilled. It made this old genie's heart sing.

I loved being on hand to reconnect with genimates some of whom I hadn't seen for a few months or years and to meet in person so many of my online mates from our Congress Facebook Group. A personal highlight was meeting for the first time a 3rd cousin I had connected with via DNA.

Meeting my third cousin for the first time

Of course I had my phone on hand to take some happy snaps to capture the atmosphere.

President Martyn holding court

Executive Officer, Heather, busy listening

Volunteer Coordinator, Tiphanee

Brenda and Charlie B.

The Night before Rootstech

'Twas the night before #rootstech and all through the palace the genies were stirring... 

Each year on the evening before  Rootstech officially kicks off Familysearch and Rootstech host a Media Dinner for Sponsors, VIPs and  Media (including Rootstech Ambassadors).

This veteran Ambassador has attended 7 out of 8 of these functions where we are treated to some fun activities, fed a nice 3 course meal in congenieal company, have opportunities to win some fab prizes and hear about the conference from important or famous folk (most of whom I don't know because I am Australian).

Tonight there were some people from a local TV show Relative Race who emceed  and spoke about the program, Then Jen Allen, Rootstech Director shared some Rootstech statistics and news, she told us that up until today 14,200 people had registered for Rootstech. These included folk from all the US States and more than 40 countries. There are 60 new vendors out of a total of 197 - that's a lot of geneastuff to explore!

Of course, like many fellow attendees I had my phone camera poised during the proceedings.

The Conference Theme - Phones at the ready

Table Settings

Beaut Tucker

Congenieal Company

Big Crowd

Visitors from all over the globe

I won a beaut prize

101 Reasons to attend #congress_2018 - NextGen

NextGen are the future of  genealogy. I am excited to see that several of their number will be attending #Congress_2018, some for the first time.

I was thrilled to read Emily Peace's blog post this morning and hear about why she, a NextGen, is coming along. Do read what she has to say.

I wonder who else that is NextGen is coming along? I know of one NextGen trio that is sharing a house during the conference!

Remember that you can use our Facebook Group to reach out to NextGen Genies.

101 Reasons to attend #congress_2018 - Avoid FOMO

When one of my offspring recently wrote about the FOMO she was suffering while I and other family members were enjoying a sojourn in Fiji I didn't know what she was talking about.  One of the young cousins with us enlightened me. Apparently FOMO is Fear of Missing Out.

Wikipedia describes FOMO thus: "a pervasive apprehension that others might be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent"

If you want to avoid a case of FOMO next March when your genimates are having fun at #Congress_2018 then perhaps you should take advantage of the Earlybird Rate and register now.

101 Reasons to attend #congress_2018 - Me time

You deserve some Me Time.

Two of our younger genimates have mentioned in their comments in our Genimates at #Congress_2018 Facebook Group that they are looking forward to spending some time away from home and parental responsibilities to have dedicated genie time at Congress.

It doesn't matter whether you are young or old, male or female Congress will provide you with an opportunity to have Me Time.  It's a golden opportunity - Grab it.

101 Reasons to Attend #congress_2018 - The Program

Wednesday was to be the day of the big reveal.

The program for #Congress_2018 was to be up on the website for all to see... but they jumped the gun and published it on Tuesday 30th May. Take a look here. The list of speakers is here and the keynotes here.  What is a challenge for we mere mortals is working out which presenter is giving which talk - no doubt this will be revealed shortly.

Although I have heard many of the speakers previously there is a large number of them including Judy G Russell and Paul Milner that I could listen to ad infinitum. I am thrilled to see some Irish experts on the agenda and particularly look forward to hearing the dynamic trio of Perry McIntyre, Richard Reid, and Liz Rushen. My mate Shauna Hicks has a couple of interesting new talks and I'm pleased to see DNA topics on the list. There's something for everyone.

Having perused the program I can see quite a few new (to me) names. I look forward to seeing and hearing what these folk have to say. There are a few blank spots on the program, I presume they are for representatives from places like The National Archives and Familysearch. Guess we'll just have to keep checking back in to the site for updates.

And I just heard that Rob Hamilton will be filling one of those empty spots with his "Freemasonry Records and the Genealogist" talk, a fascinating topic.

When I look at the list of presenters I am humbled that I made the cut. I am honoured to be included in the group.