Living in the 21st Century

Susan Petersen prompted a lot of discussion on Social Media with her timely post "An open letter to genealogy societies." DearMYRTLE followed this up in a recent Google Hangout on Air. 

Something came through my email box this week that reminded me that all is not Doom and Gloom. There are some societies that are firmly entrenched in the 21st century. 

It was a reminder that the latest issue of The Surname Scribbler was in the Members' section of  The Surname Society for members to read and download. The Surname Society, which was founded in 2014 as a not-for-profit entity by a worldwide group of experienced genealogists, is an online society with members all around the globe. In addition to the online newsletter the Members' Area hosts all sorts of files like Job Descriptions, an Archive facility for Members' posts, a Membership list, The School of Surnames and Chat forums.  For face to face communication the Society uses Google Hangouts on Air.This model could be adopted by societies that have a physical home. 

Surname Scribbler Contents

But let's get back to The Surname Scribbler. I downloaded the 17 page issue to my hard drive to read at my leisure. It was exciting to see my first regular (lighthearted) column, GeniAus' Gens, amongst the informative posts there. Thanks to the Society organisers for inviting me to write a regular column. 

Why GeniAus' Gens?  I found the word “gen” at  http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/gen. To “gen someone up” is “to provide someone with information”. As I propose to share information and, Gen is related to Genealogy, I thought “ GeniAus Gens” would fit the bill.

I'm proud to be a member of this  21st century group.

A New Gig for GeniAus

Not long after it was launched in November 2014 I joined The Surname Society, an online organisation, and soon afterwards registered my CurryAus surname study with them. 

A few weeks ago I was approached by a Committee Member of the Society asking me if I would write " a regular column in our quarterly newsletter", The Surname Scribbler. Naturally I was thrilled to be asked so replied in the affirmative without hesitation. 

As the deadline for the 3rd issue of the Surname Scribbler approaches I am wondering what I have done. Having perused the first two issues of the newsletter (that's a perk of membership) I realise that I am in exalted company, the articles in the first two issues have been well researched and referenced. I anticipate that my column will be on the lighter side, I'll write about my geneajaunts, the geneaevents I attend, the genimates I meet and perhaps share details of my surname study blunders. 

Thanks to the Surname Society Committee for their invitation, I look forward to having a small role in this 21st Century Society.

You can join me in the Society for just £GBP5 per annum - you don't have to register a surname (but there's lots of help and no pressure if you do) and you will get four issues of The Surname Scribbler each year.

And now to write.....

The History Detective Newsletter

A geneacruising mate of mine is Australian author Carol Baxter. I recently interviewed Carol in a Google Hangout which you can vuew here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSDmgPq63zQ

On my reading list each month is  "The History Detective Newsletter" which Carol emails out to subscribers each month. This free publication has lots of tips and information for genealogists, historians and writers. The topics covered n the latest edition include:

- Details about author talks.

- Publishing Pointers: Printed matter categorisations     

- Words to the Wise: Malapropisms

- Unlock the Past Baltic Cruise, July 2015

If you would like to subscribe just email Carol at : c_baxter@optusnet.com.au