It's all about choices

I haven't been to a genealogy conference for a while and it's time to get my fix but I know that I can't go to everything that's on offer. It's all about choices.

I have been umming and aahing about whether I would go to the NSW/ACT State Conference in Wollongong in September but have decided that I won't attend. I will miss catching up with many of my genealogy pals but having perused the program I find that it doesn't align closely with my particular interests.

Instead I have made the decision to go on the short 3 night 6th Unlock the Past Genealogy Cruise out of Sydney in October that offers two full days and more of genealogy conference at sea combined with the delights that a big cruise ship like the 4.5 star Celebrity Solstice can offer (I am a cruiseaholic). I have confirmed with Alan Phillips of Unlock the Past this evening that I will be presenting on technology topics (TBA) on the cruise, that will be fun as I love presenting to fellow genies.

I snapped this picture of Celebrity Solstice as she sailed out of Sydney last year

Having looked at the cruise program I find that it aligns with my specific needs and interests. Firstly there is a convict stream presented by Cathy Dunn (a Norfolk Island Expert) and, as someone with over ten direct ancestors who are convicts, this is right up my alley, secondly there will be experts from the three eastern states presenting on research in those areas. Carole Riley will be covering New South Wales and Shauna Hicks will be covering Queensland and Victoria. These experts will be available to give one on one assistance in the research help zone. I am hoping that I can get some guidance from Cathy about one of my Norfolk Island people.

If I was a user of Family Tree Maker software I would definitely be joining this cruise as Australian FTM guru, John Donaldson will be presenting a stream of talks about the package. He will also be available in the research help zone to help users with particular issues. Rosemary Kopittke will complete the lineup of presenters.

Information about this cruise that is priced from just $969 (twin share) can be found on the Unlock the Past Cruises website.

I hope to see some of my mates on this geneacruise.

Got a pound to spare?

Then you might consider this offer from The British Newspaper Archive that just came through in my email..

I'm up for this one

Thanks to Neil Chippendale from Hornsby Library for sending me notification of this talk in August.

Happy to renew my sub to Ancestry

I have been trying to locate some descendants of my dad's Aunty Polly for over 25 years but have failed dismally.

I have found various references to members of the family on The Ryerson Index, in Cemetery indexes and via Trove. I have quite a few photos of Polly's two children in my Dad's and Uncle's photo albums which I have wanted to share with their families.

You can guess what's coming. Earlier in the week I logged on to Ancestry and, as one does from time to time, did a new search for Polly's married name, McDonnell, to see if there was anything new around. I found a reference to Polly in a private tree. I quickly sent off a message to the tree owner.

B I N G O  Last night I got a response from the owner of the tree, Polly's grandson, with the news that his father, my Dad's first cousin, is alive and well in Queensland and interested in family history and stories. My new found second cousin sent me some info, I sent him some, he sent more, I am getting some more together to send him today. The great information exchange is on.

Sometimes (ok often) I grumble about the annual fees I have been paying to Ancestry for ten years but today I am so happy that I have unfettered access to their offerings without which I would never have found this lost branch of the family.