Many people who use social networking tools now create a post on their blogs and then tweet the post's link. In addition to this they make an announcement about the post on their Facebook page. Some even do these three things on their personal accounts and then on corporate or society accounts.
It is not unusual to get the same message delivered six times. Oftentimes I want to make a comment on the content that has been shared because I believe that Blogging is a two-way street. What am I to do? Where do I respond? What is the etiquette in these situations?
I do not want to respond on several sites as I don't want to be seen as having commentarrhoea.
Where do other genealogists respond?
Sunday, February 27, 2011
News Release from National Institute for Genealogical Studies
National Institute for Genealogical Studies Announces Appointment of Sheena Tait as the New Director of the Institute’s Scottish Certificate Studies Program
(Toronto, February 25, 2011) Louise St. Denis, Managing Director of the National Institute for Genealogical Studies, announces the appointment of Sheena Tait as the new Director of the Institute’s Scottish Certificate Studies Program.
Sheena Tait, born of Scottish parents, grew up in Scotland. Just after Sheena’s father died, someone sent the family an article about her paternal grandfather proposing to submit to a genealogical magazine. This triggered the realisation that Sheena knew very little about her father’s family. The genealogical journey started.
The National Institute has been offering genealogy and history courses for over 11 years. They now offer over 200 courses in genealogical studies to help enhance the researcher’s skills.
For those looking to acquire more formal educational training, The National Institute offers—in affiliation with the Continuing Education Unit of the University of St. Michael's College at the University of Toronto—Certificate Programs in the records of Australia, Canada, England, Germany, Ireland, Scotland, and the United States, as well as a Librarianship Certificate.
Shortly after, work took Sheena south to England where, surrounded by—and learning—the English record keeping systems, she had to learn how to research at a distance and understand the Scottish systems, as most of her ancestors are Scottish. While in England, she met and married her husband - another Scot - and also researches his family. This provides different challenges from her own, including English links and seafaring ancestors.
In her early career, Sheena ran the computer systems for the military. However, her husband’s career as a serving military officer and the regular moves it involves made it impossible for her to continue her existing career.
About 10 years ago, she decided to combine her love of family history and the analytical skills developed through her work to start a new career as a genealogist specializing in Scottish and Anglo-Scottish research. As well as carrying out private research, Sheena lectures on a variety of Scottish topics, and was a regular contributor to the British-based Practical Family History and Family Tree magazines. Sheena is a member of both the Society of Genealogists in London and the Edinburgh-based Scottish Genealogy Society. Later this year, she will be one of the keynote speakers at the Third Australasian Scottish Genealogy Conference in Melbourne on 16 and 17 April 2011, organised by the Genealogical Society of Victoria.
"I’m delighted to take over as Director of the Institute’s Scottish Certificate Studies. I enjoy helping others discover for themselves the extent of their Scottish ancestry. There’s so much material that so many hobbyists don’t think of using. Hopefully, this will open up the doors to solving some of their brickwalls", says Sheena.
Louise St. Denis indicates that "The Scottish Courses are an integral part of the Institute’s programs. We are so pleased to have Sheena onboard. As a Director living in England, she will bring a different perspective to the record courses for Scotland. We are really looking forward to the first of Sheena’s course. This will be an in-depth study of Scottish probate records, and will be available in early June. I’d like to thank James Thomson for the terrific course on 'Special Aspects of Scottish Research', which will remain part of the Scottish program. Past students highly recommend this course."
For those of you who are at the Who Do You Think You Are? conference in London from February 25th to the 27th, drop by the National Institute’s booth (#93) to meet both Sheena and Louise.
The National Institute also announced earlier this month that they will be offering a free course on Social Media in conjunction with their recent acquisition of GenealogyWise www.genealogywise.com. If you are at the London fair, register directly at The National Institute’s booth (#93), and also receive a free T-Shirt! The course—entitled, "Social Media for the Wise Genealogist"—covers social media tools vital to today’s genealogical research, including social networking sites, RSS, bookmarking, and more. This course, written by Brenda Wheeler and Gena Philibert Ortega, utilizes Drew Smith’s book, Social Networking for Genealogists. "Social Media for the Wise Genealogist" begins March 15th, 2011. To register, visit the National Institute’s website at www.genealogicalstudies.com.
____________________
About The National Institute for Genealogical StudiesThe National Institute has been offering genealogy and history courses for over 11 years. They now offer over 200 courses in genealogical studies to help enhance the researcher’s skills.
For those looking to acquire more formal educational training, The National Institute offers—in affiliation with the Continuing Education Unit of the University of St. Michael's College at the University of Toronto—Certificate Programs in the records of Australia, Canada, England, Germany, Ireland, Scotland, and the United States, as well as a Librarianship Certificate.
Louise St. Denis
Managing Director
The National Institute for Genealogical Studies
Toll-free in North America - 1.800.580.0165
Tel: 416.926.7254
Skype: louisestd
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Blogging tips from the experts at Rootstech
This blog post contains a summary of the notes I took at the presentation. WARNING - these are my notes and may be inaccurate and there may be omissions even though I sat in the front row and gave my full attention to the speakers!
The members of the Bloggers Panel at Rootstech facilitated by Thomas MacEntee shared their expertise with a large audience. Joining Thomas were panelists, DearMyrtle, Lisa D'Alzo, Schelly Talalay Dardashti and A C Ivory.
 |
| Panelists L-R Myrt, Lisa, Schelly, A.C |
AC - Ancestry Insider
Schelly - Hadn’t read any blogs apart from Dick Eastman's Newsletter
Thomas - Creative Gene
Lisa - DearMyrtle
Myrt - Dick Eastman's Newletter
Thomas reminded attendees of his Geneabloggers site that lists 1700 genealogy blogs. Anyone with a genealogy related blog can be listed on the site
Thomas asked the bloggers what was their reason for blogging:
Myrt - is her portfolio
Lisa - to market books
Schelly - commitment of field of Jewish genealogy awareness raising
AC Ivory - has nothing to sell - just as a place to share mobile Monday posts
Q. (Question from audience) How far down should you go to display surnames of interest on a blog?
Answer - Post on front page
Q. Where did you get domain?
A. Namecheap.com was one of a number of suggestions. (Geniaus uses a US company Simply Hosting)
AC - On how he got into genealogy - was 23 years old - going on LDS mission looking for pedigree chart - got hooked.
Q What is a blog?
A. Online personal diary
Thomas suggested that beginners start with just one blog.
Comments on a question on the Role of bloggers from Industry
Myrt - Companies send press releases - bloggers are a good lobbying group
Lisa - Thinks bloggers have a lot of power now being utilised more and more
Schelly - My heritage has someone tasked with blogger contacts - each have niche talents
AC - We are a benefit to companies and they use us for crowd sourcing by planting info with bloggers.
Thomas reminded us that in the US the Federal Trade Commission requires bloggers to have a Disclosure statement - those who don't disclose affiliations can be fined for positive product reviews.
Comment from audience -one can blog to track family milestones
Advice - Don’t put private info for living people in the public domain
blogger.com was suggested as a place to host genealogy blogs.
Q. The Best way to bring traffic to your blog?
A. Comment on other blog posts - those bloggers are likely to look at your profile and blog and follow you. More traffic moves your google page link up.
Comment If you want to make some money don't link directly to sites like ancestry.com but to your affiliate link that you can have to that site. You will be compensated for any people who sign up via your affiliate links.
Thomas then turned the discussion to genealogy societies and why they don't blog.
AC - Think they have lack of tech skills
Schelly - Who will take responsibility? Somone on has to take charge
Lisa - Society membership demographic - folks that want to read in print - on the cusp of using these tools butwant a tangible paper thing
Myrt - Feel they need to give something to member who have paid a fee. - can’t put stuff in public domain
Thomas commented that the Illinois site paid for itself in three weeks with 40 new members
Q. Why not use a wiki? Eg Albany Hill towns.com
A. A granny can do a blog - don’t need so much expertise as with a wiki. Blogs can have multiple authors - 100 authors limit on Blogger, unlimited on Wordpress.
Thomas aked the bloggers what would you use if theblogging platform was not available.
Myrt - telegraph, can’t archive
Lisa - phone, ,snail mail
Schelly - newspaper columns
AC - snail mail and print
Comment Never delete a blog - they can be a resource for others
Q. How to add .pdfs and documents in an easy way to a blog.
A. 1. Host it on your website and link to it from your blog. 2. Post it with scribd. 3 Put it in a google doc and share it or link to it.
 |
| Stage Manager, Thomas MacEntee |
Thomas asked the bloggers for comments on how not to over publish yourself.
I didn't record who gave which advice but the comments were:
Don’t toot your horn.
Don't come across as a huckster.
Give to the community as much as you want to take from the community.
For this granny from downunder the major benefit of this session was getting to meet so many bloggers in the flesh. The audience was full of bloggers that prior to this session I had only known virtually.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Follow Friday - Australian Familysites - Munkman Page Family History
I was just too busy with my trip to Rootstech in Salt Lake City for a Follow Friday post for the last two weeks. This weeek I have chosen an older site that I only recently discovered, Munkman Page Family History.
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| Munkman Page Family History |
Although this site hasn't been updated for nearly three years having a presence on the web should still net valuable connections for the authors. The website was established on 26th August 2005 to share the family history of Bill (William Edward) Munkman and Nell (Alice) Page who were married on the 14th October 1939 at Casino, New South Wales, Australia. The site was developed by one of the couple's children, Noel.
It appears that the site has been produced using a web authoring program with the descendancy charts produced with RELATIVELY YOURS..
Gals and Gadgets
My talk "Anywhere, anytime genealogy" at SAG last Saturday turned out to be a hen's party. Around a dozen females came along to hear me talk.
I discussed a number of scenarios where one can undertake genealogy related activities such as:
I discussed a number of scenarios where one can undertake genealogy related activities such as:
- Ancestral Homes
- Cemeteries
- Conferences, lectures and seminars
- Family gatherings
- Visits to libraries, archives and other repositories
- Trains, planes and automobiles
| We then proceeded to look at some techie and other toys that can be used in these situations. We examined various types of: | |||||||||||||||||||
One of the toys I showed was my new Bloggie video camera, I took a video of the group and promised to post it on this blog. Unfortunately, because I am not too familiar with this new toy, I accidentally deleted the movie before I uploaded it! I have made the presentation available to the participants on a website and, as a result of the discussions during the talk I have made some alterations to it. I also learnt that the SAG projector does not cope well with the amount of light in the room and that the colours I used for my site did not display too well, I will amend this before I give the presentation at another venue. As a believer in feedback I placed a post on this blog where participants could give me anonymous feedback on the session. One of the participants has emailed me saying that she was unable to post a comment and would I be able to publish some instructions. These instructions from Blogger may help: How do I leave comments on a blog? We were blessed to have genealogist and SAG Councillor, Carole Riley who shares my love of Web2.0 and techie toys in the group. Carole's contributions transformed my lecture into a true collaborative learning activity.The attendees asked lots of questions of both Carole and me. Julie from SAG who was on duty in the building commented on the laughter that was coming from our lecture room. From my perspective it was a fun learning activity. I wonder if the gender balance will be more equal lfor my next talk at SAG " Get ready to Google" on March 26th. | |||||||||||||||||||
Latest News from FamilySearch
24 February 2011
FamilySearch Helping Preserve and Provide Access to African Records and Family Histories
SALT LAKE CITY—This month, millions of individuals of African descent are celebrating Black History Month by exploring their family history roots. In the U.S., FamilySearch volunteers have been busy helping digitize historic documents and create free, searchable indexes to them online. Throughout Africa, from Accra to Zimbabwe, where irreplaceable family information and traditions are at risk of being lost due to neglect, war, and deterioration, FamilySearch volunteers are also helping preserve this valuable history so Africans can connect with their roots. Researchers can search the millions of African-related records as they are published online at FamilySearch.org.
FamilySearch, a non-profit, volunteer-driven subsidiary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has been involved in genealogy since 1894, but the African culture presents a unique set of challenges to family history research. Because most family information is passed down orally, FamilySearch is focused on preserving both African oral traditions and related records that can help people learn about their ancestors.
“In Africa, there is a proverb that states, ‘When an old man dies, it is as if a library has burnt down,’ ” said Ghanaian Osei-Agyemang Bonsu, a FamilySearch manager in Africa. “Unfortunately, due to economic difficulties, many young people are moving from their villages, where they have the chance of obtaining information from the older people. The purpose of the oral genealogy project is to go to these old people and record what they know before they die.”
Most African tribes have a designated “storyteller” who is responsible to memorize the tribe’s oral traditions, including names of ancestors going back six to thirty generations. FamilySearch works with chiefs and local volunteers to visit these storytellers and record the information they have been charged to remember in their heads. Sometimes the interview is audio or video recorded, like the Ghana Oral Genealogy Project. If technology is not available, the information is written down on paper. Once it is recorded, the lineage-linked data is put into a spreadsheet and uploaded into a computer format developed by FamilySearch called GEDCOM. Currently, this GEDCOM file is put into FamilySearch’s Community Trees project, but it will eventually be integrated with the FamilySearch.org website.
FamilySearch is also working with children in South Africa to encourage them to write down their family traditions. FamilySearch volunteer Isebelle Krauss conducts training to help young people know how to interview the elderly people in their village.
“We encourage them [South African youth] to find their roots, to record it and to be proud of who they are,” Krauss said.
Krauss works with the South African Department of Education and Heritage and the Department of Arts and Culture to hold oral tradition storytelling competitions in public schools.
“The children are encouraged to collect as many names as possible and come back to either sing, recite, or give a hard copy of their research,” Krauss said. “The pilot project was in Kwa Zulu Natal, and I was privileged to be one of the judges at the final round between 30 schools. What an experience! The little ones danced and sang their history and an eight-year-old won the competition with 15 generations.”
Although the majority of African heritage is oral, written records such as censuses and birth, marriage, and death certificates can help people verify the names, dates, and places in their family history. FamilySearch has worked with governments, archives, and churches in Ghana, South Africa, Cote D’Ivoire, Liberia, Swaziland, Nigeria, Lesotho, Namibia, and Zimbabwe to digitize records of genealogical importance. FamilySearch employee Stephen Nickle says some of the irreplaceable records in these countries are in danger of being lost.
“There are various records throughout Africa that are at risk. Some are destroyed through war or deterioration or because there is a lack of room and other records are more important,” Nickle said. “When those records are destroyed, a part of Africa goes away. Preserving those records helps future generations know where they came from, which is an important part of maintaining a culture.”
Many of the records collected by FamilySearch are now available for free on FamilySearch.org. More African records will be posted on the site in the coming months. Following are a few samples of some types of records at FamilySearch.org that may be of interest to those doing African or African-American research. Many of them are works in progress.
· Virginia, Freedmen's Bureau Letters, 1865-1872
· U.S. Arkansas Confederate Pensions, 1901 to 1929
· Ghana 1982-1984 Census· South Africa, Orange Free State, Estate Files, 1951-1973
· U.S. Southern States Births, Marriages, and Deaths
· U.S. Naturalization Petitions
FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. It is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Nepean Family History Fair
Details for the Fair that is to be held on Sunday 13th March 2011 at Penrith City Library can be found on the Nepean Family History Society website.
There will be a range of trade stalls with a wonderful variety of family history resources for sale.
Speakers at the event will include:
There will be a range of trade stalls with a wonderful variety of family history resources for sale.
Speakers at the event will include:
- Kaye Vernon - on organising a family reunion
- Jeremy Palmer - on UK Census records especially the 1911 census
- Suzanne Voytas - on her research and writing of her book Elizabeth 1828 : the worst and most turbulent : from Celtic Cross to SouthernCross
- Brad Argent - on Ancestry.com.au and some of the new features coming up
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Family History Sessions at Hawkesbury Library
In a post to the AUS-NSW-HILLS-HAWKESBURY-HUNTER-VALLEY Rootsweb List Michelle Nichols has given details of events planned at Hawkesbury Library.
"Hawkesbury Library is running some Family History sessions. If you know anyone interested in starting out the first one LETS START AT THE VERY BEGINNING would be ideal. Will be held Thursday 3 March 6.30pm-8.30pm. For more information or to book, phone 4560-4466 or email history@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au The next sesssion will be held Tuesday 5 April 6.30pm–8.30pm on NEWSPAPERS ONLINE."
Genimates
Before I took off to Rootstech I came up with an idea for a new genealogy blog. Rootstech took all of my attention for the last couple of weeks so I have neglected my new project.
It's now Monday and a new week so I am back in Austrlia and on task. In my new blog, Genimates, I will post profiles of genealogists I have met personally and virtually. In The First Post I have outlined the rationale for this new blog that will have an international coverage with an Australian bias. I would particularly like to write about some local unsung heroes.
Should you have any suggestions for profiling I would love to hear from you.
It's now Monday and a new week so I am back in Austrlia and on task. In my new blog, Genimates, I will post profiles of genealogists I have met personally and virtually. In The First Post I have outlined the rationale for this new blog that will have an international coverage with an Australian bias. I would particularly like to write about some local unsung heroes.
Should you have any suggestions for profiling I would love to hear from you.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Anywhere Anytime Genealogy
This afternoon I am presenting a talk at The Society of Australian Genealogists on Anywhere, Anytime Genealogy.
As I believe that evaluation is an important part of any process I want to give attendees an opportunity to let me know how they found this afternoon's presentation. I am hoping that some of them will use the comments section of this post to give me feedback.
As I believe that evaluation is an important part of any process I want to give attendees an opportunity to let me know how they found this afternoon's presentation. I am hoping that some of them will use the comments section of this post to give me feedback.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Faces of Rootstech - Claire Brisson-Banks
Claire Brisson-Banks was wearing a wide grin when I caught up with her at Rootstech. She happily posed for me with the first copy of her book,The Social Media Guide for Ancestral Research/Applying Web 2.0 Strategies, that had arrived by post during the conference. Claire, a genealogist who works in The Family History Library in Salt Lake City, lived in Australia for seven years. She and her Aussie husband now live in Utah.
Claire maintains several genealogy blogs one of which is "Who will tell their stories?". Claire has followed the lead of other genealogists and has published her book through online publisher, Lulu, one of the publishers discussed in the Round-Table session on publishing at the conference. Instructions for ordering a copy of Claire's book can be found here at Lulu.
Claire maintains several genealogy blogs one of which is "Who will tell their stories?". Claire has followed the lead of other genealogists and has published her book through online publisher, Lulu, one of the publishers discussed in the Round-Table session on publishing at the conference. Instructions for ordering a copy of Claire's book can be found here at Lulu.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Jill Ball of Geniaus Blog (from Australia)
Geniaus at Work!
Rootstech Official Bloggers were provided with an area, The Media Hub, in which to work during the Conference. We had internet connections, power outlets, workstations and two big glass fishbowls: one for recording audio interviews and one for recording video interviews. These were used a lot by the professional genealogists who were busy developing material for their blogs and podcasts. DearMYRTLE has already posted several of her interviews on her blog. I only had one video interview booked with a gentleman from a British company. Unfortunately he failed to appear for our interview! I also did a couple of old-fashioned interviews about which I will blog later but concentrated my efforts on attending sessions and tweeting and blogging about the presenters and the presentations.
There was so much interpersonal communication happening in the media space that it was difficult to get much blogging done there. I am a people person and had not travelled 8016 miles or 12897.74 kilometers to have my head stuck in a computer when I had the chance of talkiing to my virtual pals in the flesh!
I have blogged this photo directly from Joan Miller's Picasa Album Rootstech 2011 Photos.
There was so much interpersonal communication happening in the media space that it was difficult to get much blogging done there. I am a people person and had not travelled 8016 miles or 12897.74 kilometers to have my head stuck in a computer when I had the chance of talkiing to my virtual pals in the flesh!
I have blogged this photo directly from Joan Miller's Picasa Album Rootstech 2011 Photos.
Another item is crossed off my bucket list, or is it?
Today I spent eight hours at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and have a five hour visit planned before I fly out later tomorrow. But I am not satisfied. Did I really think that I could accomplish what I wanted to in thirteen short hours?
When I managed to visit The British Library and The Library of Congress I was satisfied after spending just an hour at these institutions snapping photos and walking around drinking in the atmosphere. My disappointment at not having more time in The Family History Library is because it is such a useful resource for my genealogy research and I will not be able to satisfy my appetite on this visit.
Like many of the attendees at the Rootstech Conference I added a few days to my trip so that I could avail myself of the facilities of the Family History Library. My friends in Australia will be wanting to know how I found the experience so I here's a PMI report.
Plus (in no particular order)
Wealth of resources for the family historian
Access is free
Majority of records in open access - no need to fill out annoying request slips and wait for delivery
Free WiFi for personal devices
Orientation film running all day
Can take bags and gear into library
Open hanging racks for coats around walls
Lockers available for those who want them
Lots of photocopiers and printers
Lots of computer terminals
Plenty of patient volunteers to help with queries
Large work areas where one can spread out
Spare power outlets for patron gadgets
Tolerance to chatting from genealogists working collaboratively
Comfortable adjustable ergomomic chairs
Notepaper and pencils supplied beside terminals
Spotlessly clean and tidy (I am suspicious of tidy libraries but in this case it is because the volunteers pounce on each book as soon as it lands on reshelving trolley)
Users can use USB flash drives on library computers
Good even lighting
Minus
Volunteers prowling around peering over users shoulders are offputting (price paid for bringing bags in?)
Volunteers with nothing to do congregating for chat sessions in public areas are distracting especially the two women that stood right behind me
Early closing on Mondays
Use of Internet Explorer Browser
Septegenarians on security at entrance not checking bags (or maybe I have an honest face)
Lack of natural light
Seems to be geared towards patrons asking for help rather then encouraging them to be independent learners
Interesting
Opening time of 8:00 am
Volunteer demographic gives impression that library is a retirement activity for elderly LDS people
Peaceful atmosphere regulary punctuated by Oohs and Aahs as researchers find treasure
The positives in this library certainly outweigh the negatives. I wish some of our institutions in Australia would evaluate some of their archaic 19th century practices and follow the lead of the FHL. Would it hurt if patrons talked in he NLA, just create some quiet rooms and allow for collaboration and discussion the the main reading room? Why can't we use a USB flash drive in the SLNSW computerse? Why can't I take my bag into these libraries?
I now have a job on my hands convincing Mr Geniaus that I need a return visit to Salt Lake City to finish looking up the 30 A4 pages of references I compiled before leaving Australia. Wish me luck!
 |
| The Family History Library |
When I managed to visit The British Library and The Library of Congress I was satisfied after spending just an hour at these institutions snapping photos and walking around drinking in the atmosphere. My disappointment at not having more time in The Family History Library is because it is such a useful resource for my genealogy research and I will not be able to satisfy my appetite on this visit.
 |
| Tidy Collection of Family Histories at the FHL |
Like many of the attendees at the Rootstech Conference I added a few days to my trip so that I could avail myself of the facilities of the Family History Library. My friends in Australia will be wanting to know how I found the experience so I here's a PMI report.
Plus (in no particular order)
Wealth of resources for the family historian
Access is free
Majority of records in open access - no need to fill out annoying request slips and wait for delivery
Free WiFi for personal devices
Orientation film running all day
Can take bags and gear into library
Open hanging racks for coats around walls
Lockers available for those who want them
Lots of photocopiers and printers
Lots of computer terminals
Plenty of patient volunteers to help with queries
Large work areas where one can spread out
Spare power outlets for patron gadgets
Tolerance to chatting from genealogists working collaboratively
Comfortable adjustable ergomomic chairs
Notepaper and pencils supplied beside terminals
Spotlessly clean and tidy (I am suspicious of tidy libraries but in this case it is because the volunteers pounce on each book as soon as it lands on reshelving trolley)
Users can use USB flash drives on library computers
Good even lighting
Minus
Volunteers prowling around peering over users shoulders are offputting (price paid for bringing bags in?)
Volunteers with nothing to do congregating for chat sessions in public areas are distracting especially the two women that stood right behind me
Early closing on Mondays
Use of Internet Explorer Browser
Septegenarians on security at entrance not checking bags (or maybe I have an honest face)
Lack of natural light
Seems to be geared towards patrons asking for help rather then encouraging them to be independent learners
Interesting
Opening time of 8:00 am
Volunteer demographic gives impression that library is a retirement activity for elderly LDS people
Peaceful atmosphere regulary punctuated by Oohs and Aahs as researchers find treasure
 |
| Entrance Foyer at the FHL |
The positives in this library certainly outweigh the negatives. I wish some of our institutions in Australia would evaluate some of their archaic 19th century practices and follow the lead of the FHL. Would it hurt if patrons talked in he NLA, just create some quiet rooms and allow for collaboration and discussion the the main reading room? Why can't we use a USB flash drive in the SLNSW computerse? Why can't I take my bag into these libraries?
 |
| The FHL was crowded for the WDYTYA Party on Friday |
Monday, February 14, 2011
Dinner with Dick
Genealogist, Dick Eastman, has been organising genealogy dinners for 22 years. He said that last night's dinner after the closing session of the Rootstech Conference had the largest attendance and was the easiest to organise. It was also more formal than the other dinners. Previous attendees agreed that it was the best ever.
It was formal in that there was an organised activity but it certainly wasn't stuffy, it was a great deal of fun. Held in a banquet room at The Radisson Hotel right next door to the Salt Palace Convention Center it was very convenient especially for those of us who were resident there. It was an international group that gathered to celebrate the end of a very successful conference. There was an Israeli, two Kiwis, two Aussies, a couple of Scots, some Poms, a couple of Canadians and lots of Americans. Although the conference had been going for three days we had an opportunity to meet even more new people in the relaxed atmosphere at the dinner. It was there that I discovered the identity of the other Aussie at Rootstech, it was Professional Genealogist, Allan Murrin, from Joy Murrin Family History Services in Sydney,
After a buffet dinner it was down to business. Sandwiched between a Scot and a Kiwi I had great difficulty cheating in the formal activity of the evening, Genealogy Jeopardy, hosted by Kory Meyerink. I wasn't able copy my neighbours' answers as we were rather a cluless trio with the majority of the questions having a strong North American bias. Never the less we had lots of laughs and learnt about some foreign resources. This was an excellent after dinner activity that I can recommend to genealogy organisations. Instructions on how to make a powerpoint to use in the activity can be found here.
Prizes were awarded to those with the highest scores in the game, Dick also handed out some lucky door prizes. The gentleman who won an iPad, the main prize in the draw was the envy of many attendees.
Unfortunately I neglected to take photos of this evening so have to rely on my memory for images.
Thanks, Dick, for organising this event that gave us an opportunity to engage in discourse about the conference, have fun and meet more new people.
It was formal in that there was an organised activity but it certainly wasn't stuffy, it was a great deal of fun. Held in a banquet room at The Radisson Hotel right next door to the Salt Palace Convention Center it was very convenient especially for those of us who were resident there. It was an international group that gathered to celebrate the end of a very successful conference. There was an Israeli, two Kiwis, two Aussies, a couple of Scots, some Poms, a couple of Canadians and lots of Americans. Although the conference had been going for three days we had an opportunity to meet even more new people in the relaxed atmosphere at the dinner. It was there that I discovered the identity of the other Aussie at Rootstech, it was Professional Genealogist, Allan Murrin, from Joy Murrin Family History Services in Sydney,
Prizes were awarded to those with the highest scores in the game, Dick also handed out some lucky door prizes. The gentleman who won an iPad, the main prize in the draw was the envy of many attendees.
Unfortunately I neglected to take photos of this evening so have to rely on my memory for images.
Thanks, Dick, for organising this event that gave us an opportunity to engage in discourse about the conference, have fun and meet more new people.
Tenor Number 13
During a conversation at a Rootstech dinner at The Roof Restaurant I mentioned to someone that I had heard the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on a visit to Salt Lake City many years ago. I was immediately introduced to Shipley Munson who is Tenor Number 13 in the choir.
On meeting Shipley I behaved like a young teenage rock music fan. I was entranced as he related a few anecdotes about life in the choir and told me of the program for Sunday 13th February, the day prior to Valentine's Day. I indicated that I would be along to see the group on Sunday morning. I was impressed by Shipley's enthusiasm for his voluntary work in the choir. As the Global Marketing Director for the LDS Church's Family History Department I imagine that Shipley is a fairly busy man.
I arrived at the Tabernacle in Temple Square this morning in plenty of time for the weekly broadacst of Music and the Spoken Word and took my place in the gallery. The rehearsal prior to the broadcast was in full swing so I got a taste of the music I would hear. Right on time at 9:30 am the broadcast began. I enjoyed the first two items, Exsultata Jusit and Pilgrim Song. The third Londonderry Air (or Danny Boy) played on the organ touched me as I have Irish ancestry and, co-incidentally, found a new branch of one of my Irish Families in the Family History Library at the Rootstech Night at the Library celebration.
I am fortunate that my husband consented to my spending a significant amount of money to attend the Rootstech Conference so I could follow a dream. "True and lasting Love" was the theme for the morning's message by Lloyd D Newell. After Lloyd gave his talk tears started rolling down my cheeks as I thought of my husband who can be described by these words in Lloyd's talk "I am a common man with common thoughts, and I've lived a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I've loved another with my whole heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough." On the eve of Valentine's Day I thank him for demonstrating True and Lasting Love by giving me the opportunity to visit Salt Lake City.
The song that followed the message "Love is a song" didn't help me regain my composure. The final piece for the morning "Ode to Joy from Symphony no.9 by Beethoven was a fitting finale to an inspirational event. Knowing Tenor Number 13, being able to watch him sing in the choir and having been infected by his enthusiasm added to my enjoyment of the morning. Fittingly Shipley and his mates were given a standing ovation.
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| Geniaus and Shipley Munson |
I arrived at the Tabernacle in Temple Square this morning in plenty of time for the weekly broadacst of Music and the Spoken Word and took my place in the gallery. The rehearsal prior to the broadcast was in full swing so I got a taste of the music I would hear. Right on time at 9:30 am the broadcast began. I enjoyed the first two items, Exsultata Jusit and Pilgrim Song. The third Londonderry Air (or Danny Boy) played on the organ touched me as I have Irish ancestry and, co-incidentally, found a new branch of one of my Irish Families in the Family History Library at the Rootstech Night at the Library celebration.
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| Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square |
The song that followed the message "Love is a song" didn't help me regain my composure. The final piece for the morning "Ode to Joy from Symphony no.9 by Beethoven was a fitting finale to an inspirational event. Knowing Tenor Number 13, being able to watch him sing in the choir and having been infected by his enthusiasm added to my enjoyment of the morning. Fittingly Shipley and his mates were given a standing ovation.
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| Outside the Tabernacle this morning |