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.

No Matches

A Tree in the Center

I was disappointed when I toured the new Family Discovery Centre in Salt Lake City yesterday that I found no matches in the Familysearch Family Tree which is interrogated to find distant cousins after one provides details of a Familysearch account.

My mate Jenny found that she was related to Mormon Pioneer Joseph Smith, Inventor Thomas Edison, Past US President Warren G Harding and our Friend in Genealogy DearMYRTLE aka Pat Richley-Erickson. Another Aussie, Helen Smith, had similar stunning results.

No wonder Jenny Joyce is smiling

I realised that my lack of success was due to the fact that I had not entered may people into my Familysearch tree so I hurried back to my hotel and added a few more.

Australian Jan Gow at play in the Center

This afternoon I cam across an American genimate, Claire, who had just been to the  Family Discovery Centre and found that she had a match with me. So putting my data into the tree yesterday brought results. I am going to try and add a few more people before I depart on Monday and return to see if I can find more cousins.

Cousins found or not the Family Discovery Centre provides a range of fun activities for all ages.

You're invited

One of the hats I wear is as an organiser of the Hornsby Shire Family History Group.

Jenny Joyce

At our formal meetings each month we have a guest speaker. In organising the speakers' program I have been fortunate to have several of my genimates as guest presenters. I am so appreciative of your support.

Next Wednesday Jenny Joyce will be presenting The Amazing things in the UK Gazettes, an informative talk I first heard at the Canberra Congress last year. If you have ancestors from the UK and would like to hear how this resource can assist your research you would be most welcome to join us at Hornsby Library at 2:00 pm on Wednesday 19th October. Further details.

You will be assured of a warm welcome and a great learning experience.

This is a FREE event. 

Aussies at Rootstech - Save the Date

When I was last at Rootstech in 2013 I organised a casual dinner for my genimates from downunder and anyone else who wanted to join us. As well as Aussies we had US Kiwi Roger Moffat and Lisa, Australian  Kiwi Michelle Patient, Audrey Collins from England and Marie Dougan from Scotland.

Alona Tester and Liz Pidgeon at the 2013 Dinner

My Aussie Genimates Alona Tester and Jenny Joyce have already indicated that they will be available on Tuesday 10 February, 2015 so I have set that as a date for a pre-Rootstech get together, for arrival no later than 7:00pm We shall return to The Californis Pizza Kitchen at The Gateway Center as it provides many menu options for an economical meal, is just a couple of stops from The Plaza, Radisson and other hotels on the free Trax tram and is not as crowded as the restuarants in the newer City Creek Center. I will warn CPK of our impending invasion.

Please let me know if you can join us and I'll keep you in the loop.

I'll blog further details closer to the time but please Save the Date

Congratulations Jenny Joyce

I just read in The Ku-ring-gai Historical Society newsletter that Jenny Joyce of the Jenny's Genealogy Blog and a stalwart of the Family History Group of that Society was recognised with a GEMS Award by Ku-ring-gai Council for her work in the local community.

Whenever I attend a meeting of the Society Jenny is buzzing around helping set up rooms and making sure that all the technology is ready to serve the members; she also mentors many of the members who are no so au fait with technology. Jenny does a great job. She is representative of many society members who toil quietly and tirelessly for the benefit of others.

That's Jenny in the bright pink top in the front row of this photo. If you see her at Congress in Adelaide next week, tap her on the shoulder and congratulate her on a job well done.

http://hornsby-advocate.whereilive.com.au/photos/gallery/gems-awrds-ku-ring-gai-council/