Four Aussie Ambassadors for Rootstech 2017

There may be more announced but at the moment three of my geneablogging mates and myself have received invitations to be Ambassadors at Rootstech 2018. 

I am thrilled to be sharing the honour with Caitlin Gow from Brisbane, Jenny Joyce from Sydney and Sharn White from Sydney. We will be working in the Media Hub at Rootstech (or as I saw it described today The Bloggers' Moshpit) to send you updates on the activities from the conference in Salt Lake City. It was particularly pleasing to hear that Caitlin, a young genie who represents the future of our hobby/passion/obsession, is joining the ranks of the Ambassadors. 

STOP PRESS: 26/8/2017 -I have just heard that Jennie Fairs will be a remote Ambassador. Australia is well represented.

We will also have the opportunity to interview some of the genies at Rootstech in the video studio. You can see some of my previous interviews here on my Youtube Channel. 

Each year I try to organise a casual dinner for those international visitors from the British Commonwealth prior to the Conference. I already have quite a view starters for this event which I propose to hold on the Monday of Rootstech week. Socialising is such an important part of  Rootstech. In this post from 2016 my Canadian genimate, Ruth Blair, says  "There is nothing like sitting down and having a natter about our favourite topic – FAMILY HISTORY! " Rootstech provides many such opportunities.

While you can watch some Rootstech sessions via their livestreaming program there is nothing like attending in person. How about giving yourself a treat and joining the Aussie contingent at Rootstech in Salt Lake City from February 28 to March 3, 2018.

Disclaimer: As a Rootstech Ambassador I receive complimentary admission to the event, invitations to some exra events and dinners and a free registration to give to one of my readers. I bear the cost of my return airfares from Australia and pay for my accommodation and meals.

A Trio from the Tribe

Were you ears burning this morning?  Your name may have come up in conversations today about cemeteries, conferences, colleagues and other geneatopics.

A few hours ago I met up in a cafe at Beecroft with a couple of fellow GeneabloggersTRIBE members for a cuppa and a chat. Although we rarely see each other we have become firm online friends over the years due to our shared interests in genealogy and geneablogging and as members of the GeneabloggersTRIBE. Seeing each other ín the flesh is a special treat. That I am nearly old enough to be Caitlin's grandmother doesn't matter - family history friendships cross generations.

L-R Sharn, Jill, Caitlin

Due to life's circumstances I haven't seen Sharn White or Caitlin Gow for ages. When Caitlin mentioned that she was visiting Sydney for a week I contacted she and Sharn and we organised our meeting. I was able to present Sharn, whose health issues prevented her from attending Rootstech 2017, with some sougenirs and loot from the Conference.

It was quite a family affair as Sharn's husband David, two of her daughters and a grandson called by to say G'day and meet Caitlin who lives 1,000km away. I think the mystery gentleman who picked up our tab may have been David, thank you so much.

We had a great old chinwag and shared a few geneasecrets that are not suitable to air in public!!

A sweet something to complement the cuppa.

GeneabloggersTRIBE

You may have noticed the new GeneabloggersTRIBE image in the sidebar of my blog.

Just minutes ago Thomas Macentee announced "GeneaBloggers.com and GeneaBloggersTRIBE.com have agreed to streamline features to meet consumer expectations and provide blogger support. 

You can read the full story here: http://www.geneabloggers.com/announcing-new-initiative-geneabloggerstribe-com/. 

I am proud to announce that together with Caitlin Gow I am representing Australia in the new GeneabloggersTRIBE Leadership team. Our transitional leaders Pat Richley-Erickson and Laura Hedgecock have worked tirelessly over the past ten days or so to lead and build our team.

L-R GeniAus with Caitlin Gow

Please visit the GeneabloggersTRIBE website to read all about it and meet the members of the team.

Caitlin and The Camera - at Rootstech

As I was setting up for my Lost Cousins Downunder? talk at Rootstech this morning I looked around for someone to take a couple of happy snaps. I entrusted Caitilin with my camera knowing it was in good hands and I wasn't far wrong - she took 83 photos during my session. I have very few photos of myself in flight at a gig so I really appreciate Caitlin's contribution (and she tweeted all through my talk too).

THANK YOU CAITIE

It was great to have some supporters in the audience too. Thank you Fran and Hlary

Supporters: Fran, Caitie, Hilary

Here are some of Caitie's photos:

Add caption

His descendants went all over the place

This lady came all the way from Texas for my talk

Thank Heavens that's over.

A Sentence a Day

While I was away my young geneablogging mate Caitie wrote about her new purchase the "A sentence a day" journal from Kikki K. I thought that I would like to have one and made a note to look for it on my return home.

The promotional blurb for this item says "Put pen to paper to complete a simple prompt each day of the year for three years. Without even noticing, you'll capture unique insights into your life, realise change and growth, and create a keepsake you can look back on for years to come.

A unique keepsake journal for yourself, and a gorgeous gift for any loved one."

Yesterday I parked my car in the section of the carpark that took me right past a Kikki K store so I looked in and there on the table with the sale items was a bundle of   "A sentence a day" books for 30% off. These sturdy little books are available in store or online for 17.47.

I don't know that I will write in my new book but I will use the prompts and try to write a sentence each day - surely I can manage to write at least that much!  I may record my sentences in Evernote or on a spreadsheet that I can merge with my diary but first I will have to remove the shrinkwrap from my purchase. 

New Format for a Geneameme Response

Young Australian Genealogist, Caitie G, was among the many bloggers who responded to The Bloggers' Geneameme.

A few days late she asked me on Twitter "Hey @geniaus, has anyone done a video response to one of your geneameme's?"

Tweet from Caitie

I responded in the negative but issued a veiled challenge to Caitie "No but I can feel one coming on @caitieamanda: Hey @geniaus, has anyone done a video response to one of your geneameme's?

On the weekend  I noted that Caitie had posted a video response to The Ancestors' Geneameme on Youtube. What a unique way to respond!



I'll add Caitie's link to the list of responses for The Ancestors' Geneameme. If you would like to take part in that Geneameme here are the 40 questions. Just let me know if you do so I can add you to the list of links.