Simplifying My Genealogy Life

I'm still here! I didn't forget you.

Things are going pretty well on the home front. The problem I'm having is juggling all the spinning plates. The family is crazy busy as always with a spouse out of the country and a teenager navigating high school. Most days, I'm a taxi, homework warden and cook. It has not been easy. It has been challenging, frustrating and stressful.

The professional side of genealogy is keeping me very busy. I divide time between a long-term project, one medium-term project and some small stuff. It is so fun. I'm doing things I'd never imagined. Thank goodness for library school because I draw on those skills every day.

Naturally, my own ancestral research has taken a back seat, and that depressing me a bit. But something had to give.

It took several months to accept that I couldn't do everything, and that was ok. I went to RootsTech. I talked to friends. I talked to vendors. I learned about new products and spent way too much time in the demo theater. I went to developer sessions even though I'm not a developer. I left feeling recharged and more confident that maybe I could spin all these plates.

Then as I was giving myself a mental pep talk about achieving balance and getting back to blogging, I got this stellar pat on the back from a fellow genealogy blogger.

Yeah. Talk about getting kicked when you're down. Not really a big deal, but not nice either.

So I took another few weeks to sort things out and I started cleaning my genealogy house.

I unfriended several genealogy folks on Facebook who either annoy me or haven't really established a connection in years.

I unfollowed many genealogy Twitter accounts that either just promote their own stuff or duplicate what they say on their Facebook and Google+ accounts.

I took a break from reading genealogy blogs. Sorry! It's just that so many posts were complaints about Ancestry.com or the new FamilySearch web site or other things. I just needed a break from negativity.

I realized that I'm a librarian and approach genealogy as such, so I joined a professional library group to keep my genealogy research skills sharp. My professional development probably won't come from the genealogy community or APG, and that's ok. I know what I need.

Then for another few weeks, I worked and worked on my client stuff. And I yelled at my kid to do his homework. And I dropped off and picked up my husband from the airport every week. The weeks just looked the same and they all flew by.

This is where I am right now. I've simplified my genealogy life. No drama. No nonsense. No cares given whether you count my conference blog posts or not.

My blog started as a conversation with myself so my family wouldn't have to listen to my genealogy stories. It really is written as though I'm seated at a table, talking to a wall. Then an audience found me so I added more seats to the table.

I hope you've enjoyed the conversation and will continue to do so. I think I've managed to find a way to keep all the plates spinning, so blog content should pick up. Thanks for reading.

Houston Area Genealogy Events for May 2013

Say hello to May! Summer (and hurricane season) are just around the corner. Here are some of the activities and events going on in the Houston region this month:

Mondays in May (6, 13, 20. Library closed May 27)

Katy Branch Library
Genealogy Lunchbox
12:00PM-2:00PM
5414 Franz Road
Katy, TX 77493
Join in for an informal genealogy get-together. There are computers, Ancestry.com and others to help each other with our genealogy work

May 2


Galveston County Genealogical Society
General Meeting
7:00PM-9:00PM
Moody Mansion Museum
2618 Broadway
Galveston, TX

May 4

Houston Genealogical Forum
General Meeting featuring Dr. Kate Sayen Kirkland
"Captain James A. Baker and the Golden Age of Houston
10:00am-12:00pm (9:00 am social)
Bayland Park Community Center
6400 Bissonnet
Houston, TX

May 11

Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society
Willie Lee Gay H-Town Chapter
Chapter Meeting
10:30 am at Clayton Library
5300 Caroline, Houston
More details at the chapter website.

Clayton Library Friends 
General Meeting
"Fundamentals of Researching in Texas"
Teri E. Flack
10:15 am at Clayton Library
Carriage House Meeting Room
5300 Caroline, Houston

May 13

Baytown Genealogy Society
General Meeting
10:00am
Baytown Library
5203 Decker Drive, Baytown
(Please confirm date with society.
They didn't have their May meeting on 
their website when I published this.)

Humble Area Genealogical Society
General Meeting
7:00 PM
Humble Senior Activity Center
1401 South Houston Ave, Humble

May 18

Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research
Library Orientation
10:30 am - 11:45 am
5300 Caroline, Houston
Learn about the vast family history research resources at this wonderful library. Registration is free and open to the public. Call (832)393-2600.


May 19

Atascocita-Kingwood Genealogical Society
"Nazism, Nuremberg and Now"
Mike Riviere
2:45 PM
Rosemont Assisted Living
6450 Kings Park Way
Second floor community room
Kingwood, TX

May 22

Military Records for Genealogy
Cy-Fair College Branch Library
(Lone Star College - CyFair Campus)
Room LNRC 131
9191 Barker Cypress Rd.
Cypress, Texas
10:00am-11:00am

May 25

Chaparral Genealogical Society
General Meeting
10:00 am
Amegy Bank (2nd floor meeting room)
28201 Business 249
Tomball, TX
Meetings are open to the public. Everyone is welcome!

Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research
Organized or Trashed? Let's Get Organized!
10:30am-12:00pm
5300 Caroline, Houston
Do you search but still can’t find that elusive document when you need it? Or do you make copies and discover that you already had it?  Come learn the most important reason why you need to organize your work. The second part of the presentation is a class discussion of ways to organize. Feel free to bring an example of your organizational system to share with others in the class.  Reservations required, please call 832-393-2600. Adults/Teens. 


Down the Road...

July 18-20, 2013 Angelina Genealogy Conference (Lufkin) 

*** Memorial Day is May 27. Libraries, government offices and records repositories will likely be closed. Plan accordingly.


*** Please confirm all information, dates and times with the libraries or groups hosting the events. If you have a genealogy event of interest to Houstonians that you'd like mentioned here, email me with the details

Transcribing a Piece of History

Today I transcribed a small diary. It was written by a widow in 1943. She lived alone, as all her children were grown.

The diary started with a January 1st entry. The tone was muted, lacking the usual New Year's optimism because the country was in the midst of World War II. The lady's son had been drafted. He shipped out a couple of weeks after the diary was started, leaving behind a pregnant wife.

Entries in the journal are short, yet descriptive. The mother missed her son, and worried about her daughter-in-law who gave birth the day after her husband shipped out.

Much of the diary focused on day-to-day events: going to church, going to town for groceries, visiting family and friends. The woman enjoyed time with her new grandchild and thought often about her son. She was very honest about feeling lonely.

It is not clear why this woman started a diary, or what she intended to do with it. It was penned in a small memo book and doesn't look like a diary at all. It could have easily been mistaken for junk by a clueless descendant and thrown away after she died. Luckily, it was saved because it is a very moving picture of one small family during one big war.

Makes you wonder how many other nondescript items are sitting around our own houses and attics waiting to be discovered.

Forensic Genealogy Institute Re-Cap, part 3

See Forensic Genealogy Institute Re-Cap part 2 here.

Hopefully the last 2 blog posts give you an idea of what to expect in the Forensic Genealogy Institute. This last section includes bits of information that may be of interest to you.

Qualifications
Are you experienced enough to attend the Forensic Genealogy Institute? That's something you have to determine. This is definitely not for beginners. At the very least, be an intermediate researcher with goals that match this group's mission. At least half of my class were practicing forensic genealogists. I am not, but followed along just fine and did well on the practicum. I'd consider my group to be advanced researchers. Questions were asked and encouraged, but they were on a higher level. Attendees should be comfortable with technology.

Certifications and fancy letters after your name
I was pleased to discover that the Council for the Advancement of Forensic Genealogy is developing a certification program that meets the standards and experience necessary to be qualified in the field of forensic genealogy. The exact name of the distinction and specific requirements are still being formed. The application process will likely include a report, written test, oral test and possibly interviews.

Forensic genealogy book in the works
Someone is working on a forensic genealogy book as we speak. I think it will be on the level -- and more current -- than Professional Genealogy. Sorry to be vague, but I didn't ask permission to talk about this one, so I don't know how much I can say. All I know is that I'm really looking forward to the publication of this book.

CAFG resource page
It just sits there quietly, but it's too good to keep a secret. Check out the CAFG resource page.

Mentor program
I learned about the CAFG mentor program during the institute and was very impressed with what I heard. I don't know of any other group that offers such an opportunity to learn the skills you need, guided by experienced professionals.

2014
The next Forensic Genealogy Institute will be March/April 2014. The date isn't cemented yet because they're trying to work around Easter. After the 3-day institute, there will be an opportunity to stay on for advanced tracks in certain forensic genealogy subjects. Only people who have completed the institute can attend advanced tracks.

Guess that's it. I learned a lot in 3 days. If you have any user-end questions about the institute, I'd be happy to answer them. If you have specific questions, you're better off emailing info@forensicgenealogists.org. They're a good group.

Forensic Genealogy Institute Re-Cap, part 2

See Forensic Genealogy Institute Re-Cap, part 1 here.

Now that I've shared the Forensic Genealogy Institute schedule, I'm going to tell you about then engine under the hood. Here's what you get for your registration fee:

Three full days of instruction
The 2013 Institute ran Thursday through Saturday (this may change in 2014). This sounds intense and scary, but the subject matter is extremely interesting. Also, the instructors kept everything moving, so I never felt bored, or tired. Often I lost track of time and was surprised when the day was over.

Small class size and instant professional network
The class size was about 25 people. That's it. This is cool because you get to know everyone and they become valuable qualified assets to your professional network. Before the Institute, we were instructed to bring business cards for exchange.

160+ page syllabus
Registered attendees received an electronic copy of the syllabus before the Institute. Paper copies were available by advance purchase. The syllabus is one of the best I've ever received. Each session hand an accompanying handout in the syllabus. A typical section included information on the subject (such as mineral rights), numerous links, resources and of course all the citations you need to find the information yourself.

Ample access to instructors
I really appreciated the availability of the instructors. While one was at the podium, the others were in the back of the room. They'd chime in to the discussion with their unique perspectives and experiences. If I had a question, the instructors were there during the breaks and meals. They were very forthcoming and honest, too. They even shared about mistakes early in their careers in the hopes attendees would not do the same.

Practical work experience
Each day we had a practicum where we were given the details of an actual forensic genealogy "case." We had some time at the end of the class day and our evenings to research the issue at hand. I can't share the specifics, but we were asked to find the heirs to a particular piece of land. Basically it was a matter of using the records of dead people to find living people.

Breakfast, lunch and snacks
My ticket to the Forensic Genealogy Institute included continental breakfast in the morning (fruit, pastries, coffee, juice, tea), lunch and afternoon snacks (often cookies).

A convenient location
The Institute was at a hotel next to Love Field in Dallas. People drove or flew in to either of the local airports. My room was very nice. There was a sports grill attached to the hotel.

That's it for the peek under the hood. For part 3 of the Forensic Genealogy Institute re-cap, click here.

Forensic Genealogy Institute Re-Cap, part 1

I did it! I completed the Forensic Genealogy Institute and have the paperwork to prove it.

This was a great event. I am so glad I had the chance to go. Kudos to the Council for the Advancement of Forensic Genealogy (CAFG) for developing such a fantastic learning opportunity.

When people hear "forensic," many automatically envision crime scene tape and coroner vans. Blame all the CSI shows for that one. In reality, the word forensic describes something suitable for use in a court of law. Thus, in our case, it's genealogical research, records and documents suitable for legal use.

The Forensic Genealogy Institute is a 3-day intensive course exploring different aspects of forensic genealogy.

Here's the schedule:

Thursday

Overview of the Council for the Advancement of Forensic Genealogy

Introduction to Forensic Genealogy
Discussion of the Role of the Genealogist
Guardianships
Real Estate and Rights of Way
Mineral Rights
Adoptions
Citizenship and Immigration
Capital Mitigation
Military Repatriation
Unidentified and Unclaimed Persons
Cold Cases

Forensic Genealogy Fees and Contracts
Ethics and Liability

Practicum

Friday

Finding the Living

Forensic Techniques for Genetic Genealogy

Missing & Unknown Heirs: 
Law Procedure for the Forensic Genealogist

Witness Roles
Mock Cross Examination

Practicum

Saturday

Practicum

Legal and Ethical Implications of Adoptions

Work Products and Client Documents

Preparation, Business Structure and Due Diligence

How to Identify Potential Markets and Clients
Examples of Successful Marketing Efforts

Conclusion, Class Evaluation and Certificates

Special thanks to CAFG for giving me permission to publish their schedule.

On to Forensic Genealogy Institute Re-Cap, part 2

All New FamilySearch Web Site

FamilySearch has a new look. Are you seeing it? What do you think?

These are the changes that were revealed at the bloggers' dinner at RootsTech.

The FamilySearch home page is more social. The old home page gave us a menu to search for records. The new page gives equal weight to photos, stories, etc. Users are encouraged to add their own pictures and stories about their ancestors with the goal of making one big tree.

Will people contribute and share? Will they work together and resist the urge to be possessive of their ancestors? Only time will tell.

In late 2011, I had a client tell me what he wanted to do with his family history records. He asked for suggestions. Based on his wishes and specifications, I told him about this FamilySearch product that was in the works.

...and for a year I kept waiting for that product so I could show him. I saw pretty charts and pictures and slick FamilySearch presentations about the upcoming product. All I could do was relay the info to the client and hope I'd eventually have something to deliver. I kept telling him, "FamilySearch says it's coming," though I had no idea when. I hate making empty promises.

Today as I was sitting at the desk, working on this client's project, FamilySearch.org started to go wonky and slow. I refreshed my screen and there was the new site, with places to add photos and stories. I spent the next 3 hours adding information to this *forever* family tree. It's not perfect (I wish we could add documents and PDFs), but it does what this client wants it to do. That makes him happy. That makes me happy.

National Preservation Week Events in Richmond, Texas, April 2013

National Preservation Week is coming. The Fort Bend County Library System has a full slate of activities planned and they were kind enough to share them here:

Spring cleaning often unearths forgotten family treasures. Without proper care, some of the items can be lost or become inaccessible to future generations. Fort Bend County Libraries will recognize National Preservation Week, April 21-27, with a series of programs on preserving photographs, personal oral histories, and local history. The theme for this year's Preservation Week is "Pass It On @ Your Library."

The programs will begin on Monday, April 22, with "Collecting Your Family's Oral Histories." The program will begin at 6:30 pm, in the Meeting Room of George Memorial Library in Richmond, and will be presented by Daniel Sample, manager of the library's Local History and Genealogy department. Learn the basics of conducting and collecting interviews for oral histories, and how to confirm the content of the stories with authoritative sources.

On Wednesday, April 24, the class "Beginner's Digital Photography: Scanning & Storage Basics" will take place at 10:00 am, in the Computer Lab at the Cinco Ranch Branch Library in Katy. Saving pictures to a computer disk or online not only saves storage space, it also preserves the printed pictures from damage or age.

At 7:00 pm, on April 24, Claire Rogers will present "Saving Your Community: The Importance of Historical Preservation" in the Meeting Room at George Memorial Library in Richmond. Site manager at the Fort Bend Museum, Rogers will discuss efforts that are being done to preserve historical places and artifacts in Fort Bend County. She will also discuss volunteer opportunities that are available in local-history preservation efforts. Reservations are not required for this program.

 "Creative Memories: Paper-Bag Scrapbooking" will take place on April 24, beginning at 7:00 pm, in the Meeting Room of the Missouri City Branch Library. Adult Services librarian Deeba Rehman will demonstrate how to preserve family memories by creating a mini-scrapbook with paper bags. Bring small photographs and mementos or ephemera that can be cut up and glued to create a lasting repository preserving special family memories and events.

The programs are free and open to the public. Reservations are required for all programs except for the "Saving Your Community" program. To register online at the library's website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), click on "Calendar," select the library, and find the program. Participants may also register by calling George Memorial Library at 281-341-2608, the Cinco Ranch Branch Library at 281-395-1311, or the Missouri City Branch Library at 281-238-2100, or by visiting the library.

Preservation Week @ your library is a collaborative effort supported by the Association for Library Collections and Technical Services (a division of the American Library Association), the Library of Congress, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

For more information about the Fort Bend County library system and its services, call the libraries' Public Information Office at 281-341-2677, or visit the library's website at www.fortbend.lib.tx.us.

April 2013 Genealogy Classes in Richmond, Texas

Below is a press release that may be of interest to Houston-area genealogy enthusiasts:

Have you ever wondered where your ancestors came from?  Are you curious about their military service or medical history? Begin your family-history research at Fort Bend County Libraries' Local History and Genealogy Department at George Memorial Library, 1001 Golfview in Richmond. Library staff will present two programs in April to help the beginning family-history researcher start their genealogy search.

Beginning family-history researchers will learn the basics of starting their research at an introductory program, "Genealogy 101," on Tuesday, April 16, beginning at 10:00 am, in the Computer Lab. Library staff will provide a basic introduction to many of the resources that are available to the beginning genealogical researcher. Items that will be introduced include print resources, materials that are available on microfilm, and online tools such as the Ancestry.com and Heritage Quest USA databases.

The "Introduction to Ancestry.com" class will take place on Tuesday, April 23, beginning at 10:00 am, in the Computer Lab. In this class, you will learn how to get results tracing family history by using this helpful online resource. Tips and strategies for a more efficient search will be demonstrated.

The programs are free and open to the public. Seating is limited, however, and reservations are required. To register online at the library's website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), click on "Calendar," select "George Memorial," and find the program. Participants may also register by calling the library's Local History and Genealogy Department at 281-341-2608, or by visiting the department at the library.

Fun with Search Terms

It's time for another round of "Fun with Search Terms!" People type certain words or phrases into search engines. If the combination is right, my blog turns up in the search results. Sometimes the searches are funny. Sometimes I can provide more information to users, if only they'd comment on my blog. Either way, I enjoy the process. Please note that these searches are anonymous so I don't know who is stumbling on my blog. I just comment in the hope that they find it again.

Now on with the show. Actual search phrases are in bold.

how do i cousin bait
When it comes to connecting with new cousins and exchanging family history information, a genealogy blog is the best lure there is. When you write a teaser blog post with pertinent ancestor information, you are "fishing for cousins" and the post itself is the bait you use to attract new cousins.

I've written an aptly titled piece called How to Write a "Cousin Bait" Genealogy Blog Post that may be of interest. 

gross fish fry
I wouldn't know anything about that as I only deal in awesome fish frys.

jill ball, blog, genealogy
Geniaus, Aussie, delightful

billing formats in hardware company
I honestly have no idea how this would lead to my blog, or how I can make something witty from it. I assume hardware store billing formats aren't much different that other retail small businesses. Good luck, man.

rootstech 2014
February 6-8, 2014 in Salt Lake City. Be there or be square...and jealous.

going to a genealogy conference by yourself
Just do it. Genealogy conferences are the best way to make genealogy pals. You met people in line, you meet them in class, you have a meal together. It's great. If you had contacted me after visiting my blog, I could have given you some contacts. I still will, but you need to reach out. I also suggest you read Don't Be a Wallflower at Your First Genealogy Conference. Good stuff.

yesterday we talked about genealogy
Today we'll do the same and the forecast looks bright for tomorrow as well.

Thanks for playing!

Registered for the Forensic Genealogy Institute

My Texas genealogy friends probably think I'm flaky because I never attend state or regional genealogy conferences or events. The reality is that most of them fall at least partially during the week and I can't do that. Believe me, I'd love to leave my kid with a box of cereal and a television remote, but the state of Texas frowns on that.

However, the planets have aligned and I get to go to the upcoming Forensic Genealogy Institute.

Woo-hoo!  ::: throws confetti::::

I put this institute on my genealogy bucket list, but didn't expect to be able to go for a couple years. The institute appeals to me because of the subject matter. I want to be well-versed in the record groups they cover.

Special thank to my husband for taking a Wednesday 5:30am flight so I can do this.

I'll have a full report when I get back. There's still time to register if you want to join me.

RootsTech Goals: A Post Mortem

A little while back I wrote a post that listed what I wanted to accomplish at RootsTech. Let's see how I did:


1. Try not to get food poisoning this time. I was 100% successful in putting food in my mouth and not having it come back out again. It was grand.

2. Get an education on British genealogy resources. On Wednesday, I attended a class at the Family History Library on lesser known British records. It was taught by industry rock star and friend Audrey Collins. I also talked to Audrey on the exhibit floor. She gave me some advice on my Cornwall interests.

3. Get my book editing questions answered. This went really well. I took my long list of editing questions to Biff and Nancy Barnes at Stories to Tell Books. They patiently answered all my questions and talked me off the ledge. I left with a plan. This interaction alone made the trip worthwhile.

4. Work through my FHL list. I didn't get through as much of this list as I would have liked. I probably needed a week to do so. However, I did make a dent, get one real answer and several clues and hunches.

5. Learn something new in some sessions. I did something I didn't think I would do: I went to three developer sessions. This is generally out of my league, but I was able to follow along just fine. I also spent some time at the demo theater in the exhibit hall learning about new (to me) products.

6. Be a good Official Blogger. Well, I hope I was. You'll have to ask FamilySearch. I did take photos, utilize Twitter, blog, socialize and reach out to random strangers at lunch. I also me fellow bloggers Sistas in Zion. They're delightful and their positivity needs to be bottled.

7. Find out the latest on FamilySearch Family Tree. Done. I learned about it at the Official Bloggers dinner and a session led by Ron Tanner. My questions were answered.

8. Network like a crazy person. I had a list of all the vendors/friends I wanted to see. I did. I met several bloggers I *know* online from Australia and New Zealand. I took most of my meals in a social setting. I feel safe checking this one as "accomplished."

9. Do 5 new things. I attended a new event: the Mormon Tabernacle Choir mini concert. I learned about a new product: Treelines.com. I vowed to meet a new person: I met many but I'm picking Mary from lunch. I tried a new restaurant: Lion House Pantry. I attended session in a subject about which I know nothing: all the developer sessions and a demo of The Next Generation software.

10. I will have fun. Done!

Well, after tallying the score card, I judge this mission a success.

RootsTech Mormon Tabernacle Choir Tour

RootsTech 2013 is over but doesn't mean I'm finished writing about the conference.

One of the most memorable moments happened on Thursday evening.

RootsTech attendees were treated to a mini concert by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The event featured songs of Irving Berlin and had a family history/immigration theme.

I took a couple of photos. The camera settings were off and there was a person's head in my view, so these were the best I could get:

Before the concert, FamilySearch provided the official RootsTech bloggers with a behind the scenes tour of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (MTC) offices. Though I took photos, I'm not allow to publish them. I will try my best to describe what I saw. 

Much of the office and practice space is under the Tabernacle, so it's windowless. From a side door (#2 if you know where that is) we were led down a hallway. We saw the (locked) official MTC office. Off to the side, you could see a cabinet that held some of the awards they've won. 

Further down the hall maze, we went to the "horseshoe." This was the practice room. It had a piano and stacked chairs among other things you'd see in a music company. Our wonderful tour guide--whose name escapes me--told us about the audition process. Basically you send in a tape. You're either told yes, no or maybe so with a tactful letter. Turnover is not uncommon as people get busy with life or age out at 60.

On the way to the horseshoe we saw the lockers. Each member of the choir has one. They look like p.e. lockers, but they're more like mailboxes for music. I saw a post-it note on one mailbox reminding the person to turn in some music, similar to having an overdue library book.

What's on the other side of the lockers? The music room. I'm not sure that's what they call it, but it is the room where all the sheet music is stored. They use hand crank shelving to store 1 million pieces of music. At one end of the room, there is a work table for sorting things. On the other side of the table are the open sides of the lockers. It look like a big mail sorting operation, which it must be to manage all the sheet music. The music librarian was very helpful. She has an awesome job, in my opinion.

We also got to see the men's and women's changing rooms. They had open clothing racks and individual mini-closet enclosures for each individual member. It was similar to a sports locker room without all the space and luxuries. These personal closets included about 6-7 different uniforms (slacks and jackets for men, dresses for women). Because the men have so many combinations, a mannequin is dressed with the correct pants, jacket and tie for each event. You're supposed to look at it  to confirm what you're supposed to wear that day. Our tour guide said that even with the model, someone always manages to wear the wrong tie or something.

All of the women's clothing is handmade. Big bolts of fabric are purchased. We saw the ladies that do the sewing and their room of machines, racks, ironing boards and notions. Many of the dresses are simple and bright. The simple is for the many shapes of women. The bright is for television.

While leaving the dressing area, we could hear singing. It was choir class for incoming MTC members. New members have about 3 months of training to learn music theory and the ways of the MTC. All choir members are volunteers and have practice or shows 150 days a year.

When the backstage tour was over, we were led to reserved seats. That was pretty cool. When the show started, they did VIP introductions. The host called the RootsTech bloggers and asked us to stand. That was surreal. I only mention it because my dad will be amused to read it.

The highlight of the evening was hearing the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing Irving Berlin's God Bless America. It was definitely a bucket-list moment. I am so thankful I got to experience it.

I am grateful to FamilySearch for the tour and to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for putting on a concert on a Thursday, when they usually just practice that day. It was one of the highlights of this RootsTech week that I won't soon forget.

RootsTech Day 1, Part 1

The first morning of RootsTech came early. 5:45 in my case. Did you know it's still completely dark at 7am in Salt Lake City? Messes with my head. Anyway, I ran into Jill Ball in the elevator and we ended up having breakfast together.

After that we went to the Convention Center for our blogger tour of the exhibit hall before it opened to the public. I noticed right way that the RootsTech vendor area was bigger than last year.

Here are some photos. Just remember it was still closed to the public, which is why you don't see anyone.

A view down one aisle.

Bring your books for scanning and receive a digital file of them from FamilySearch.

The Demo Theater. Check out the furniture.

Story @ Home booth with conversation area.

There were many vendors I've never heard of in the hall. This could be because of the merge with the Story @ Home conference, or maybe there are just that many new products in the genealogy world. Either way, cool for family historians.

After the tour, we got reserved seats for the opening keynote. (I told you this Official Blogger thing was a sweet ride.) You can watch a recording of the keynote at the RootsTech website.

I won't go over the entire keynote, but I did notice some common themes. Collaboration was mentioned often. So was the concept storytelling in family history. 

The "new" genealogist is nothing like the rabid genealogist many of us resemble. They have different purposes, intentions, perspectives and attention spans. The keynotes reflected that. Do watch them if you can. Especially Syd Lieberman's talk. It was fabulous.

I did a lot of talking and networking on day 1. I sought out Stories to Tell Books as I planned. I spent way too much time at the Demo Theater, but it was interesting to see all these genealogy products and the chairs were comfortable. In an hour at the Demo Theater, I learned as much as I would in a cramped session. I take learning opportunities where I can, especially when leather furniture and free popcorn are involved.

In the afternoon, I went to a developer session....and I followed along just fine. It was "Genealogy Industry Web 2.0 Report Card" by Tammy A. Hepps, overall winner of the RootsTech developer's challenge and creator of Treelines.com. 

I did more networking and schmoozing after that, then called it a day in the convention center. I had a fun evening, but that's a story for another time.

FamilySearch Initiatives at the RootsTech Bloggers Dinner

The night before RootsTech began, I was invited by FamilySearch to the Official Bloggers Dinner at Lion House Pantry.

I sat with Nancy Shively, Jill Ball, Rosemary Morgan, DearMYRTLE and her husband. This is where I got my blogger beads:

After a very good dinner, the FamilySearch crew got down to business. They told us about what to expect at RootsTech 2013 and what they've been up to. Here are the main points:

6700 vs. 4090
The attendance for RootsTech 2013 was expected to be 6700, as opposed to 4090 last year. This number could grow even further with walk up registrations. This does not count almost 2,000 youth (12-19) expected for special Saturday programs.

FamilyTree update
FamilyTree is up for some big changes. We got to see the new home page and new features, including fan charts and photos. The "new" FamilyTree puts stories and photos front and center. This is an attempt to reach out to a larger audience and get more people to do genealogy.

A promise
FamilySearch must have done some soul searching because they said that they will be rolling out new products and features...not just talking about rolling out new products and features. This is true. I've sat in several FamilySearch events and learned what was coming 10 months down the road. The neat things we saw with FamilyTree this night are apparently coming soon.

Brimhall found his groove.
Last year, FamilySearch CEO Dennis Brimhall was new to the job. So new that departed CEO Jay Verkler did some of the heavy lifting in the speaking department at RootsTech 2012. What a different a year makes, and Mr. Brimhall is the first to share about his genealogy learning curve. He encouraged us to "fall in love with our ancestors."  He has found his groove.

Brimhall also discussed the 1.1 million records that are being digitized daily around the world. Just let that settle in for a moment.

S.T.A.R.T.
Ben Bennett talked about the initiative to get more people discovering their family history. He referred to it as helping patrons "S.T.A.R.T."
S = stories and photos (including tagging of photos)
T = together. Discovering together as a family
A = assistance and help. Many options available at FamilySearch
R = Really obvious ways to start (new FamilySearch home page)
T = Time. It only takes a few minutes.

FamilySearch also debuted a new logo, but I was sitting in a poor place to get a good photo of it. Sorry. Look for it at other blogs.

Hopefully I gave you an idea of what FamilySearch is planning in the coming weeks and months. They confidently said these changes are coming soon.

Thank you again to FamilySearch for the invitation and hospitality. As always, it was a memorable and informative evening.