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. 

A Late Night Night or an Early Morning

In a recent post I shared my excitement about being chosen as a subject for a Wikitree Challenge. 

As the event, The 2024 WikiTree Challenge 11,  will be launched on zoom at 2am tomorrow (my time in Australia). My immediate issue is do I go to bed early and set an alarm for 1:30ish or do I try and stay awake? I'll see how my day pans out. 

Promo for the WikiTree Challenge

I'm now sitting in my geneacave dealing with a range of emotions:

* Gratitude for the invitation to have my family chosen as the focus of this project

* Delight to have a light shone on my band of ordinary ancestors and forebears that includes labourers, convicts, indigenous Australians, Irish immigrants, sportsmen and a pioneering priest.

* Appreciation for the Wikitreers who have signed up to work on my tree

* Apprehension as my sometimes dodgy research will be on show to a band of experienced genealogists

* Embarrassment that my Wikitree is not too deep or wide

* Pride that Australian Genealogy research is the focus of the eventt

* Excitement that the volunteers may learn a little about Australian History as they climb my tree

* Joy that my tree is receiving the love it deserves

* Suspense as I ponder on what the volunteers may dig up

Roll on 2am.

Much needed help coming my way

This blog has taken a back seat while I was out of the country in May and June. As part of our holiday we took a five day BackRoads tour of the WW1 Battlefields. This was our second such tour but it was superior to the last one we took. With its focus on Australian involvement in the conflict it was a wonderful learning experience that gave us much insight to the bravery and sacrifices young people and their families back home.

Since arriving home I have been sorting our travel photos, working on my family history and one-place study and hosting and attending a few genealogy events.

I was thrilled to see a notification from Wikitree appear on Facebook this week about an event that will have a focus on my family. A few months age I was invited by the genies at Wikitree to be a participant in one of their 2024 Wikitree Challenges, I sat on this information until I saw the announcement. 

Announcement from Wikitree

I am a little apprehensive as my Wikitree has been suffering from a lack of nourishment. It is not my main tree and does not include all the distant cousins I have in that tree on my laptop. 

A kind Australian Wikitreer looked over my tree yesterday, made a few cosmetic changes and fixed a few references. I'm grateful for her arboreal efforts. I am extremely pleased to have been chosen for this challenge and look forward to seeing what the volunteers dig up. Meanwhile I will make sure I have included the recently deceased and a few extra aunts and uncles on my tree.

I think that I am the first Australian who has been a focus of this challenge so, as well as helping me find cousins, the volunteers on my case will have an opportunity to use Australian records and learn about genealogy downunder. 

Roll on July 25.

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/

Accentuate the Positive Geneameme 2023

Back in 2012 when geneablogging was more popular than it appears to be today I threw out a challenge to fellow genies. I have continued this tradition each year.

I wrote "I feel that a lot of my geneablogging friends are too hard on themselves; several have reported on their successes this year but quite a number have lamented that they haven't achieved as much as they set out to do or that they haven't blogged with the frequency they envisaged.".

In the meme I ask respondents to Accentuate the Positives of the current geneayear by responding to some prompts. Over the years a generous group of genies has responded to these geneamemes with entertaining and enlightening posts. 

Two regulars have already asked if there will be a 2023 edition. How could I not go ahead after that interest?  Here goes:

Accentuate the Positive Geneameme 2022

 One of the great supporters of my annual challenge, Bobbie Edes from Queensland, gently reminded me a few weeks about this challenge. I assured her that I would be issuing it shortly but, in the pre-Christmas busyness, I forgot. A gentle reminder from a genimate encouraged me to make it my first task this morning. 

Although my rate of blogging has slowed down this year I couldn't let a year pass without continuing this tradition. 

I invite you to take part in this activity by responding to the following statements/questions, several of which are new, in a blog post. Write as much or as little as you want and complete as many statements as you wish. If you wish to take part and don't have a blog please email me your responses and I will post them here on the GeniAus blog.

Once you have done so please share your post's link in a comment on this post or to me via email to jillballau@gmail.com. I will, when I return from a family holiday in mid-January, share a list of links to your responses right here on the GeniAus blog.

Remember to Accentuate the Positive 

(Please delete the items that are not relevant to your situation.)

1. I was happy to go back to ... after a Covid absence

2. In 2022 I was particularly proud of writing ...

3. A new software package or web application I embraced was ...

4.  My sledge hammer did great work on this brick wall ...

5. A new genealogy/history book that sparked my interest was ...

6. A geneasurprise I received was ....

7.  In 2022 I finally met ...

8.  Locating ... gave me great joy

9.  I am pleased the Covid situation caused me to change ...

10. I progressed my DNA research by ...

11.  An informative  journal or newspaper article I found was ...

12. I was pleased I could contribute to ...

13.  ... taught me how to ...

14. I got a thrill from opening someone's eyes to the joy of genealogy ...

15. The best value I got for my genealogy dollars was ... 

16. A DNA discovery I made was ...

17. I enjoyed my first post Covid face to face event because ...

18. A fabulous event I attended was ...

19. I'm happy I splashed out and purchased ...

 19. I got the most joy from ...

20. Another positive I would like to share is ...

Please share this invitation far and wide in your social media channels.

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.

Five Faves Geneameme - The Responses

A few weeks ago I issued a challenge to fellow Geneabloggers. While the number who responded is rather low the quality of the responses is very high.   Thanks to my genimates who responded and gave me some leads on beaut books to follow up. If you are inclined to pen a post for this challenge please let me know and I'll add a link to your response here.

I am hanging my head in shame because I haven't crafted a post yet....my excuse is that we are moving house and my genealibrary (being high on my priority list) was packed up and is sitting in state at my new house. As we are spending most of our time at our old home while we get it tarted up for sale my books and I are living apart. Enough of excuses, here are  links to the Five Faves Geneameme posts.

Susie Zada https://justlovehistory.com/2017/05/20/susies-five-faves-geneameme/

Shelley Crawford http://twigsofyore.blogspot.com.au/2017/05/up-to-five-faves-geneameme.html

ScotsSue https://scotsue-familyhistoryfun.blogspot.com.au/2017/05/books-that-have-inspired-my-family.html

Sandra Williamson  http://ancestralresearchjournal.blogspot.com.au/2017/05/five-faves-geneameme.html

Patsy Trench  https://wordpress.com/post/patsytrench.com/2057

Melody Lassalle http://www.researchjournal.yourislandroutes.com/2017/06/five-fave-books-geneameme/

Jane Taubmanan   http://www.taubman.org.uk/family/wp/2017/06/13/five-favs-five-of-my-favourite-family-history-books/

Anne Young http://ayfamilyhistory.blogspot.com.au/2017/06/five-books-i-refer-to-constantly-when.html

Alona  http://www.lonetester.com/2017/06/five-faves-geneameme/

Five Faves Reminder

A few Earlybirds have responded to my Five Faves Geneamemes Challenge.

If you are a genie who uses books and has some favourites please consider sharing their details. http://geniaus.blogspot.com.au/2017/05/five-faves-geneameme.html

I will collate the response early in June.

Five Faves Geneameme

In a blog post this week Meg Carney blogging on the QSQ blog wrote about five books she has found useful in her research. She said "I have read many books in my search for information about my ancestors and the history of the times in which they lived. However, there are some that stand out and that I have found myself referring to again and again.  Here are 5 of those books."

I love bookish posts and was going to include Meg's post in this week's edition of GeniAus Gems but it gave me an idea for a Geneameme so I am singling Meg's post out for mention here.

As good little genies we all recognise the value of moving away from the keyboard and consulting print resources. I love to know what books other genies cherish,  Meg's list demonstrates that older publications along with new titles are all useful.

Herewith I announce the Five Faves Geneameme.

To participate in this meme simply pen a blog post sharing details of five books written by others you have found most useful in your geneactivities. Use the above graphic to decorate your post if you wish. Please let me know via a comment on this post or via another form of social media when your post is done and I will add it to a compilation that I will publish on this blog in early June.  

And Meg, if you read this, thanks for giving me this idea.

Getting to know me

On Facebook my Genimate Pauleen shared this meme which came to her via blogger, Katrina.

Rather than having my responses lost in a Facebook stream I thought I'd post my answers here on my blog.  As my blog is being preserved by the National Library of Australia via Pandora my responses should be available for some years to come.

1. Who are you named after? - No-one. Mum nearly called me Julie. As a child I wanted to change to my middle name, Patricia.

2. Last time you cried? - On our recent Hawaiian holiday with the family I shed quite a few happy tears.


3. Do you like your handwriting? - I used to but it has gone downhill. I had a nice hand until computers came along now it's a scrawl.

4. What is your favourite lunch meat? - Leg ham off the bone, no need for the bread just give me the ham.

5. Do you still have your tonsils? - Yes

6. Would you bungee jump? - No, I need to preserve what brain cells I have left.

7. What is your favourite kind of cereal? - I'm a Weetbix kid. 

8. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? - Only if I can't wriggle out of them.

9. Do you think you are strong? - Mentally - Yes, Physically - No.

10. Favourite ice cream? - Coffee.

11. What is the first thing you notice about a person? - Their general demeanour.

12. Football or baseball? - Anyone for Tennis?

13. What colour pants are you wearing? - Black.

14. Last thing you ate? - Hot Cross Bun.

15. What are you listening to? - Birds.

16. If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? - Hot pink.

17. What is your favourite smell? - Anything fresh, preferably not manure.

18. Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone? - Daughter-in-law.

19. Married? - Until death do us part.

20. Hair colour? - Au naturel. White as the driven snow.

21. Eye colour? Blue just like my Dad's.

22. Favourite food to eat? - Food cooked by someone else.

23. Scary movies or happy endings? - Happy endings.

24. Last movie you watched? - Something unmemorable on plane from Hawaii - can't remember title. There was a terrible selection on Hawaiian Airlines.

25. What colour shirt are you wearing? - Blue

26. Favourite holiday? - Cruising to new destinations on a six-star ship.

27. Beer or Wine? - Cold bubbles but Diet Dry Ginger Ale is a current fave.

28. Night owl or morning person? - Night.

29. Favourite day of the week? - Each new day that I wake up and find that I'm still alive.

If you'd like to join in - Just copy my post, paste it on your page, and then put your own answers! It's a fun way to learn more about friends near and far.

NFHM Blogging Challenge - Week 1 - Sense and the Census

I have found lots of valuable information and leads over the 25 odd years I have been consulting various censuses. Some of my ancestors were illiterate and some were cheeky so I wonder if the information recorded by and about them in various censuses is accurate.  Some of the census collectors may have not have been the sharpest tool in the shed.

There are many and varied spellings for family names, there are women's ages that are not consistent from census to census, some occupations that didn't ring true and there were claims to marriages that hadn't happened. My ancestors may have also had difficulty understanding the questions asked.

Although they are valuable genealogical resources I take some of the information recorded about my ancestors with a grain of salt and try to verify elsewhere the facts(!) recorded on census documents.

Taking a look at Trove today I discovered several articles that discussed responses to various censuses. The examples below demonstrate how easy it is for both intentional and unintentional errors to be made on census returns.

1934 'SIDELIGHT ON THE CENSUS',Kalgoorlie Miner (WA : 1895 - 1950), 2 August, p. 7. , viewed 07 Aug 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article95019035

1901 'Humour.', The Canowindra Star (NSW : 1900 - 1902), 18 October, p. 6. , viewed 07 Aug 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article143912400


1921 'CENSUS HUMOUR.', The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), 26 April, p. 12. , viewed 07 Aug 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article177034052