Spitfest

The postman has delivered a package in plain wrapping to my house and I feel a Spitfest coming on.

I have two victims lined up and am seeking another volunteer.

If you are a genie and don't know what I'm talking about it's time to join the 21st century.

Addendum: Oops - It's actually a Scrapefest we'll be having as the kits are from Family Tree DNA.

Trove Tuesday - Warm Feet

When sitting still and pecking away at the keyboard I suffer from cold feet...even when the outside temperature is in the twenties (Celsius). A pair of socks and closed in shoes will usually warm my toes but when the weather starts to cool I need to wear my lambswool lined slippers.

Warm toes

For further tips I sought advice via Trove and I was not disappointed..

1905 'WARM FEET.', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954) , 1 July, p. 16. , viewed 16 May 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138381513

The above article appeared in many newspapers between 1905 and 1912.

1870 'WARM FEET.', Sydney Mail (NSW : 1860 - 1871), 27 August, p. 12. , viewed 16 May 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166810093

1912 'KEEP YOUR FEET WARM.',Singleton Argus (NSW : 1880 - 1954) , 13 April, p. 7. , viewed 16 May 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article80060348

What tips do you have for keeping one's toes warm?

Nitpicking

I had previously talked about my intention of going through all the BDMs (vital records) in my possession and going over them with a fine tooth comb. It's proving to be an illuminating exercise.

I had pulled all of the copies I have out of their plastic sleeves with the intention of scanning them and then placing the copies (which have cost me several $$$) into acid-free sleeves and folders. Last week as I was researching the Irish ancestors I thought I'd see what I could dig up on them but then I decided to have a rest from the Irish and go through all my certs.

What have I discovered?

* Certificates that I didn't even know I had and from which I had entered no information into my database. I am carefully examining them and adding info to my Family Historian database. I am also noting in the notes field for the source if I actually hold a copy of the record in question.

* I realised that one of the certificates I had wasn't for the right person so had to lop another branch off my tree. Since I purchased that certificate I had found other evidence that refuted what was in the certificate. It pays to revisit.

* I found several factual errors on certificates. Further evidence gathered since I procured the certificates shows them to be wrong. It pays to use multiple sources.

* I am finding familiar names as witnesses to BDM events now that I revisit the certificates. The knowledge of families I have gathered over the years has made it easy for me to recognise these names. Knowledge gained over years of research helps one make valuable connections.

* I've been doing some fact checking on other sites as I go along and it's interesting to see how many folk have copied my stuff (including typos) into their online trees.

* By using the clues contained in online trees as I go through my certificates I have made some valuable discoveries. I managed to finally kill off Mr GeniAus' 2x great-grandmother the other night because someone had provided a source in their online tree.

* I have found something new on just about each certificate I have put under the virtual microscope.

* As a result of this activity many of the previously unsourced events in my database now have sources.

We are often reminded of the value of doing such an exercise. I can thoroughly recommend putting your research on hold  while you go nitpicking through the  records you have to hand.

The Magic of Movies

My Genimate, Pauleen, has put out a challenge....and I can't resist. Here is what she says :

Things have quietened down since the A to Z challenge so it’s time for a bit of fun with a May Meme. A few years ago I did a May Music Meme so I thought this year we’d go to the movies. Put your movie hats on, look into the past and dredge up your memories…LET’S HAVE FUN!

The way it works is this:

• Copy the questions I’ve listed here and add your responses – short or long as you please.
• The image is from Pixabayand free to use so share away.
• Link back to your post in the comments.
• During the next week I’ll put my own response up.
• Around 22 May I’ll put up a summary of the posts.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks Pauleen for issuing this challenge which required a Blockbuster effort on my part. I did, however, enjoy the trip down Memory Lane. Thanks for the nudge.

What’s the earliest movie you can remember?

The Red Shoes starring Sir Robert Helpmann which I saw with Mum at a theatre in Kings Cross. 

Where did you go to the movies (place or type of venue)?

When I was a youngster we lived in Kings Cross and we had within walking distance the choice of three movie theatres, the Kings Cross Theatre, the Minerva/Metro  and a small newsreel theatre. A short tram ride down William Street took us to the city theatres. I remember the St James, The Prince Edward and the State that is set up for live theatre today. I remember Sydney identity, Bea Miles, who used to frighten the life out of me when she stood up the back of the Kings Cross Theatre eating grapes and spitting the seeds at the audience of moviegoers.

Source: http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/35318/photos/112816 by John Gleeson

As a family we went to the Star Drive-in at Matraville a few times and I when I was a teen I went in to the city to meet my schoolfriends. On odd occasions I went locally to the Randwick Ritz or Odeon or to one of the theatres at Bondi Junction.

The nuns at school marched us up to the Minerva/Metro to see epics like Ben-Hur and The Ten Commandments and a couple of Shakespeare ones. I seem to remember  seeing Richard Burton.

Settled in for a Movie Marathon 

The first movie I saw with Mr GeniAus was the Mercenary at the St James Theatre. It was so scary I just had to hang onto him. Once we were married and had children there was little time and less money for movie going.

These days I see many movies on the small screen on aeroplanes. On a  trip to London I will watch about six movies. I've already looked up the programs for my next European jaunt.

Did you buy movie programs?

What movie programs?

Did you take in food and drink (and what did you like)?We went to see the movies, not for a picnic. This habit has continued to the present day. I always have a bottle of water and a tin of mints in case of emergency. I won't say no to a choc top on a special occasion. 

Movies of your teenage years?

Gidget, The Graduate, Guess who's coming to dinner?, Irma la Douce, Muscle Beach Party, The Parent Trap, The Sound of Music, Summer Holiday, To Sir with Love, Tom Jones, I wasn't an Elvis fan. It was a time when I saw lots of movies.

Do you remember how old you were when you went unsupervised?
Very young, about 9. I was in fourth class in primary school and my mother who was working at Farmer's Department Store in the city put my friend Cheryl Firbanks and I into the movies (and collected us later in the foyer) at The Palace Theatre to see a Shirley Temple movie.

Mischief you got up to in the movies?
Me, mischief, NEVER.

Did you watch movies at home?
Sometimes we watched the Sunday Night movies on TV. I remember when Mr GeniAus bought a video player when they were just new, I didn't understand what is was for.  We still have some tapes of movies we recorded off air. When they became available we would borrow movies from the video shop - it was a lot cheaper then taking the family to the movies. We sometimes watch movies on DVD now but we like to go out to the theatre. It's quite a reasonable price for Senior Citizens.

What was your favourite movie to watch at home?
I tend not to rewatch movies or reread books. There just isn't enough time to experience all the movies and books I want to see/read.

Do you prefer to watch movies at home or at the cinema?
Cinema. The big screen and surround sound add something extra.

Does your family have a special movie memory?
My younger daughter knew the dialogue for The Sound of Music, off by heart.

Movies you fell in love to/with?
Tearjerkers and those that play on the emotions. 12 Years a slave, Beaches,  Good-bye Mr Chips, The Help, Love Story, The Railway Man.

Favourite romantic movie theme music?
Can't think of any. I prefer Strauss or Tchaikovsky. 

Favourite musical movie?
The Sound of Music, I had a soft spot for my Dad's favourite The Jolson Story which I probably saw a dozen times..

Which movies made you want to dance/sing?
The Sound of Music, and most musicals - old and new.

Do you watch re-runs or DVDs of old movies?
No, too many new ones to watch.

Do your children/family enjoy the same movies?
Well, I don't like Star Wars or Science Fiction like the boys but I seem to like anything else that the kids recommend.

What’s your favourite movie genre now?
Biographical/life story movies, Drama and Rom-Coms.

Did you read the book before or after the movie?
Usually before but sometimes afterwards to get the full story. I like to read first so the characters and settings I imagine are not influenced by the movie makers' perceptions. Seeing the movies first hinders my engagement with the characters in the book.

Which did you enjoy more, the book or the movie?
Except on rare occasions the book wins.

What’s the silliest movie you’ve seen (silly funny or silly annoying)?
I don't want to give either positive or negative reinforcement to the rubbish that I've endured.

Pet hate in movies?
Tall people who sit in front of me.

A movie that captures family history for you? The Descendants

If you could only play 5 movies for the rest of your life, what would they be?
I would turn to books I haven't read.

Favourite movie stars (go ahead and list as many as you like)?

I don't remember the names of most of the actors I see. As movies are a visual medium I have to nominate George Clooney and Hugh Grant. I love the work of Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren, Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett.

EXTRA, EXTRA

Since Librarything added the facility to record movies in its database I have been recording the names of the movies I see. I am also trying to retrospectively add those I have seen in my lifetime. This activity has helped me remember a few more. So far I have listed these Movies I've seen. 

I thought I hadn't seen many movies  but, on reflection, I realise that I love the Magic of Movies.