Oh Yeah, I Went There: A Case for Genealogy 2.0

During a lull at the Texas Library Association annual conference today, I browsed around on the Internet and read an amusing blog post on the unreliability of genealogy blogs. Don't you see? It was a blog post on why blogs are bad sources for information. Hello pot? Kettle calling. Do you know where I was when I read it? At a library presentation put on by professional researchers titled, "Genealogy and Web 2.0." I can't make this stuff up, folks.

Web 2.0 tools, including blogs and wikis, are designed for collaboration which is a welcome gift to the genealogy world. Without jumbled technical code and computer languages, non-techy people can now put out their information and reach audiences world wide. This is a great time to be a genealogist.

True, a small fraction of information may be inaccurate, and all information needs to be verified, but why dismiss these tools outright? Junk comes through the mail. Does that mean we throw out everything in the box without a glance? No. We sort the junk from the valid correspondence and take what we need. The same actions happen with thorough researchers who utilize the tools provided in blogs and wikis to further their pursuits. Ignoring the information put forth by these tools is akin to sticking your head in the library door and saying, "nothing here for me" without walking the stacks and checking the catalogs.

Blogs, wikis and other fancy networking options are new to the genealogy world. They are not new to the broader research and academic worlds. Way back in the ancient Internet time of 2001, I spent two years and several thousand dollars attaining a graduate degree in which I honed online research skills and studied the latest methods of information organization and preservation. The discussion on the validity of these tools was brief as students and professors alike saw the value in their use then. Why dismiss their use now unless the reason is that you don't know how to properly use them?

To say blogs are bad for genealogy is uninformed and irresponsible. You are either looking in the wrong place or not looking at all. If Web 2.0 tools are not valid for research and collaboration, then you need to inform Case Western Reserve University, Washington State University, UConn, and Johns Hopkins University that their wikis are not qualified venues for sharing information. You also need to tell the head of the largest library school in the United States, this well-respected digitization expert and Dear Myrtle herself that Second Life is not an appropriate learning environment. While you're at it, tell President Obama to stop his Twittering, as it is clearly an ineffective way to communicate.

I realize I am probably preaching to the choir, but I do not want to see the genealogy discipline left behind because of a refusal to test and and embrace the latest tools to organize and share information.

Arguing about the invalidity of Web 2.0 tools is like arguing about the need for one of those newfangled telephone lines. The debate was over long ago and now you just sound silly. If you really want to look like you're hip with the times, argue over Web 3.0 technologies and get back to me never. I'll be here doing my part to move the genealogy field forward.

Texas Genealogy Events: Week of March 30-April 5

Straight from the Texas Genealogy Events calendar, here's what is happening in Texas for the week of March 30 - April 5, 2009:
March 31-April 2

Texas Library Association Annual Conference
George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston
Several genealogy events will be held at this conference.
You can purchase a day pass. You don't have to be a librarian to attend.

Thursday, April 2

Mid Cities Genealogical Society Meeting, 7 pm
Euless Public Library, 201 N. Ector, Euless, Texas
Visitors are welcome.
6:30 p.m. – Social
7:00 p.m. – General Meeting

Saturday, April 4

Houston Genealogical Forum General Meeting - 10 am
Refreshments and social hour: 9-10 am
Meeting: 10-12
Bayland Park Community Center
6400 Bissonnet, Houston
Speaker: Galen Greaser
Texas General Land Office, Austin, Texas
Topic: Texas Land Claims and Using Abstracts

Lone Star Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists meeting. 11am
Waco-McLennan County Library Central Library
1717 Austin Avenue
Waco, TX 76701
254-750-5941
Patricia Law Hatcher, FASG, will present a lecture based on her chapter in Professional Genealogy: A Manuel Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers and Librarians, on Time Management: Is there Hope for the Over-Committed, Behind- Schedule, Frazzled Genealogist?
*****Lone Star APG Members Only*******


For further details on these events, please see the Texas Genealogy Events Calendar. Please confirm all dates and locations with the host societies and organizations.

Do you have an event you'd like to see on the calendar? Contact me using the email address at the right side of this blog. Events should occur in Texas or be of interest to Texans (neighboring states welcome). Speakers are encouraged to publicize their presentations.

Unlucky in Las Vegas

I am currently in Albuquerque for a conference. I purposely arrived a day early so I could do some genealogy research in Las Vegas, San Miguel County, New Mexico. My great-great grandmother and her daughters spent about 15-20 years there between 1890s-1910s.

I drafted a research plan that included a visit to the courthouse for marriage records, probate records and anything else that might jump out of the books. I also intended to find six graves in a single cemetery.

So yesterday, I landed at ABQ, rented a car and headed for Las Vegas. The town was bigger than I expected and more hilly. I eventually found the courthouse. The building was under renovation and the main entrance was blocked. I walked around the building looking for a place to get in. It was clear that the entire building was under renovation. So where was the courthouse business being conducted during this mess?

I walked to the district court and asked the officer at the entrance. The county clerk was currently "in a strip mall by Auto Zone." Off to the shopping mall clerk I went. It only took a minute to learn they didn't have the records I needed. Where were they? Back at the courthouse under construction. Access denied.

On a positive note, I did find the graves I was searching for at the Masonic Cemetery. I found the Haywards I'm connected to but not related. I found the Schmitt's I might be related to, but don't know because the answers to my questions may or may not be in the courthouse closed to the public.

Do not pass go. Do not collect $200...or the records I drove all this was to get. Hopefully, the Family History Library will be able to help me fill some gaps.

Cemetery pics will follow eventually. Now I have a conference to attend.

5,000

I got my 5,000th blog visitor today! (Thank you, unknown reader from New York.)

Pretty amazing, given this blog isn't even old enough to crawl yet.

No post until tomorrow-ish. I'm packing, then leaving. I'm going to a conference, but I set aside the first day as a genealogy adventure. Cross your fingers and wish me luck and pleasant clerks at the San Miguel County, New Mexico court house.

The Schmitz / Schmidt Puzzle

I don't know a whole lot about my great-great grandmother, Marie Magdalena Schmitz (1865-1947) except that she died on my birthday. Based on records, she was either born in France, London, Germany, Belgium or none of the above. She had three husbands and two daughters. Her eldest child, Gertrude, is my great-grandmother.

Gertrude's death certificate says she was born in Chicago in 1892. Her parents were H. H. Barecke and Marie Schmitz. If this record is accurate, then Marie is in Chicago in 1892.

Fast forward to 1900, the census has Marie now married to R. Hayward and living in Las Vegas, San Miguel, New Mexico. What happened to her first husband in Chicago and why did she come to New Mexico? I have yet to find the answers to those questions.

In the 1910 census, Marie is still living in Las Vegas, this time as a widow with two children. I know from a local newspaper obit that her second husband, Robert Hayward, died in 1905.

Local cemetery headstone transcriptions published online list Robert Hayward as being buried in the Masonic cemetery in town. Based on the web site, he is buried in Section N, row 4.

But guess who else is buried in Section N, row 4, right next to Robert Hayward? Asmus Christian Schmidt and Louise E. Schmidt. Could they be related to my great-great grandmother Marie Schmitz? Or is the Schmitz/Schmidt name just a coincidence?

If Marie was a young widow with a child in pre-1900 Chicago, and she had family in New Mexico, it would make sense that she would travel there to be with them. It’s the only reason I can think of for her relocation there.

I’ll be in New Mexico for a conference later this week. I’m going to try to go to the San Miguel County Courthouse and see if I can find a will for Asmus Schmidt or Louise Schmidt. Maybe there’s a connection. Then again, maybe not. I’ve learned not to get too excited. This tree is full of curveballs.

[Note to my family readers: Marie Schmitz is also Mollie Sutherland. She is Violet’s mom. She is Buster’s grandmother. Buster’s mom and Violet had the same mom but different dads. Marie/Mollie is the one buried in Inglewood.]

Texas Genealogy Events: Week of March 23-29

Straight from the Texas Genealogy Events calendar, here's what is happening in Texas for the week of March 23-29, 2009:

Tuesday, March 24

Austin Genealogical Society General Meeting, 7pm
Topic: Land Records, More Than Just Land Deeds
Presenter: Ed Dorroh

Thursday, March 26

East Texas Genealogical Society Get Acquainted Luncheon, 11:30am
Meetings are held between 11:30am and about 1:30pm (or whenever) at the Heartland Ham Co. 3400-A South Broadway, Tyler 75701.

Friday, March 27

Bay Area Genealogical Society Meeting, 7pm
Speaker: Emily Croom. "It's Not a Brick Wall Until..."

Saturday, March 28

Austin Genealogical Society Saturday Series, 10am
Genealogy Potpourri... Internet Lessons, Practicing, and Brick Wall Solving

Clayton Library Program, 2pm
How to order items using the Family History Center catalog

Van Zandt County Genealogical Society Meeting, 2pm
Location: Van Zandt County Library
317 First Monday Lane
Canton, TX 75103-1052


For further details on these events, please see the Texas Genealogy Events Calendar. Please confirm all dates and locations with the host societies and organizations.

Do you have an event you'd like to see on the calendar? Contact me using the email address at the right side of this blog. Events should occur in Texas or be of interest to Texans (neighboring states welcome). Speakers are encouraged to publicize their presentations.

Wordless Wednesday: Vacation Edition

I'm on vacation right now with little time for the blog, I so bring you a picture from travels of my past:

Mount St Helens, letting off a little steam, July 4, 2007.

Picture is mine. Copyright ME. Don't rip it off, pls, k thx.

Tombstone Tuesday: Greetings from Rankin Cemetery

Entrance to Rankin Cemetery

Russellville, Arkansas

[For my family readers who always want to know the connection: Dr. Sam's sister is buried here.]

Genealogy and the Texas Library Association

Did you know the Texas Library Association has a Genealogy Round Table? Well, they do. They also have the 2009 Annual Conference coming up in Houston. Here are the events produced by the Genealogy Round Table:

Genealogy and WEB 2.0.: Creating an Internet Community Event Presenter: Kimberly M. Gay
Date/Time: Tuesday, March 31, 2009/ 2:00 pm - 3:20 pm
Location: Houston George Brown Convention Center
Take genealogy researching to the next level using Web 2.0. Genealogy communities are flourishing online and are the new way to collaborate in the pursuit of one’s past. From flickr and YouTube to blogs and wikis, social networking websites can help your genealogy research.
GENEALOGY ROUND TABLE.

Innovative Ideas: Managing and Collecting for a Genealogy Library
Event Presenter: Sue Kaufman
Date/Time: Wednesday April, 1, 2009/ 2:00 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. (Business meeting follows)
Location: Houston George Brown Convention Center
Resources, research, and results: learn best practices for creating, developing, and managing a genealogy collection of any size. [A business meeting follows the program.]
GENEALOGY ROUND TABLE.

Genealogy Social and Tour of the Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research
Event Presenter: Sue Kaufman
Date/Time: Wednesday April, 1, 2009/ 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research Library, Houston Texas
Genealogy Social and Tour of the Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research, 5300 Caroline
Enjoy touring one of the top genealogy libraries in the country.
GENEALOGY ROUND TABLE AND BLACK CAUCUS ROUND TABLE.

You don't have to be a librarian to attend this conference. Many of the events focus on research, technology, archives and preservation. Look for me if you go. I'll be wearing my special libraries hat.

Texas Genealogy Events: Week of March 16-22, 2009

Straight from the Texas Genealogy Events calendar, here's what is happening in Texas for the week of March 16-22, 2009:

Monday, March 16:

Brazos Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting
Third Monday of each month from 7:00 pm to 8:45 pm in the second floor auditorium of the Bryan Public Library. The Bryan Public Library is located in downtown Bryan at 201 East 26th Street.

Saturday, March 22

Williamson County Genealogical Seminar, 8:45am
Location: First United Methodist Church
1004 North Mays
Round Rock, Texas
Speaker: Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, is joint editor of the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, former trustee and a past president of the Board for Certification of Genealogists.

Houston Genealogical Forum Seminar, 10am
Speaker: Craig Scott, CG
Seminar information
Seminar registration

Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries 10am
Plano Saturday Seminar
Lynell Moss will speak to us on the Family History Library
W.O. Haggard, Jr. Library, 2501 Coit Rd., Plano, Texas, in the first floor Program Room.

Clayton Library Orientation, 11am
Discussion of the resources available at Clayton Library. Orientation lasts approximately one hour. No reservations needed, meet at the Information Desk in the library.

Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research
5300 Caroline
Houston, TX 77004-6896
832-393-2600

Rains County Genealogical Society 1pm
Location: Rains County Library
150 Doris Briggs Parkway
Emory, Texas 75440
Phone: (903)473-5000 ext 283


For further details on these events, please see the Texas Genealogy Events Calendar. Please confirm all dates and locations with the host societies and organizations.

Do you have an event you'd like to see on the calendar? Contact me using the email address at the right side of this blog. Events should occur in Texas or be of interest to Texans (neighboring states welcome). Speakers are encouraged to publicize their presentations.

Hard at Work

For the next week, there will be large chunks of time where I am not at my computer. Thus, comments left on this blog may not be approved in a timely manner. I'll have my phone, which I use to publish 90% of the comments, but reception may be hit or miss.

I'm doing a little research along the Gulf Coast for spring break. And by "research" I mean sampling the sights, sounds, food and drink of the region. Yeah, it's a vacation pretty much. My tweets and Facebook status updates should be interesting.

My Pending Social Calendar

If you follow the Texas Genealogy Events calendar (and you should because I work really, really hard on it), you know that--genealogically speaking--there's plenty going on in Texas. I'm planning to attend a couple of the events myself, so I am plugging them here.

The Houston Genealogical Forum is hosting a seminar with Craig Scott, CG, on March 21. I wasn't initially planning on signing up for this event, because I don't have much time at home this month. However, I've heard nothing but good things about Craig Scott, so I figured this was one opportunity I shouldn't miss. Registration form is here, if you're interested.

The Lone Star Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists is holding a meeting April 4 in Waco. You must be a member (or the guest of a member) to attend. This is another event that doesn't fit well into my personal calendar, but I can't *not* go to my first meeting. I'm not a professional genealogist, but I figure if I breathe the same air as them for a while, I might pick up some wisdom along the way.

Alex Lenertz in the 1880 Mortality Schedule

Mortality schedules were included in the federal censuses for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Questions were asked regarding people who died in the last 12 months prior to enumeration. Information on these schedules includes a person's name, age, sex, color, marital status, place of birth of subject/father/mother, profession, month of death and cause of death.

My great-great-great grandfather, Alex Lenertz (indexed as Alexr Lenertz), is listed in the 1880 mortality schedule for Mankato, Minnesota:




Here is his name (Lenertz, Alex), age (56), sex (M) and color (W). Place of birth for Alex and his parents is blank. He was actually born in Luxembourg.

His occupation is listed as "stone mason." The quotes indicate he died in the same month as the person above him on the list, which was August (meaning August 1879). Cause of death is "gangrene."

At the time of Alex's death, six of his nine children were minors, ranging in age from about 17 to 3 years of age. John Lenertz, my great-great grandfather, is listed as 19 in the 1880 census, likely assuming the role of man of the house for his widowed mother.

I accessed this mortality schedule page via Ancestry.com. If you have a subscription go to the search page and follow the path: Search > Census > U.S. Census > U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 > Minnesota > Blue Earth > Mankato Ward 3 and 4.

(Cliff's notes for my family readers who need help keeping all these people straight: Alex Lenertz > John B. > John A. > Buster)

Christmas in March

I received a package in the mail last week. It contained two notebooks full of Lenertz genealogy information. I cannot even describe how much this bolsters my Lenertz research. Mine is a small branch, with a very uncommon name, removed from the rest of the group when my ancestor went to Oklahoma. To have these details, two notebooks full...it's better than presents.

But wait, it gets better. My great-great grandfather had 9 siblings. There was one elusive sister about which I knew next to nothing. She was in a couple of censuses as a child and then she was gone. These notebooks came from someone married to a descendant of that mystery sister. She's not a mystery anymore! She went on to get married and have many children.

And...it gets even better! These notebooks include articles and obituaries of Lenertz ancestors from Minnesota newspapers. They are about my great-great grandfather's siblings and offspring. There are even some newspaper photos.

Thanks to the generosity of Dan in Minnesota, the pieces of my Lenertz puzzle are starting to fit together and reveal the picture of a family history about which I used to know nothing.

Brother, Sister and Black Velvet: Smile for the Camera 11

The 11th edition of Smile for the Camera is themed Brothers & Sisters. "Were they battling brothers, shy little sisters, or was it brother & sister against the world? Our ancestors often had only their siblings for company. Were they best friends or not? Show us that picture that you found with your family photographs or in your collection that shows your rendition of brothers & sisters. Bring them to the carnival and share. Admission is free with every photograph!"

My selection isn't new to this blog. It was previously featured in the "Adventures with Cordy" diary series.

Below is a picture of my grandmother and her brother. It was taken on vacation in 1976.

These two lost their mother in the 1950's and their father in the 1940's. Their dad's demise was quite extended and sad. Their older brother passed away in the early 1970's. At the time of this photo, they were all that was left of this Williamson family.

It's pretty clear these two were close and got along fine. I like this photo because it clearly portrays a happy time (possibly *really* happy). I wish I knew the story beind the image...what was so funny and why the four seniors on this vacation were packin' so much booze. I also love how the men in my family embraced the versatility and comfort of the jumpsuit well into the 1990's.

Texas Genealogy Events: Week of March 9-15, 2009

Straight from the Texas Genealogy Events calendar, here's what is happening in Texas for the week of March 9-15, 2009:

Monday, March 9:

Humble Area Genealogical Society Meeting, 7pm
Lonestar College, Kingwood Campus
Speaker: Emily Croom
Topic: The Other Half of the Story: Researching Female Ancestors
See society web site for more information

Wednesday, March 11:

Houston Genealogical Society Bus Trip, 8:30am-5pm
Destination: Rice Fondren Library - Woodsen Research Center

Collin County Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting, 7pm
Meeting location: W. O. Haggard, Jr. Public Library
2501 Coit Road, Plano, Texas

Thursday, March 12

Clayton Library Presentation - Houston, 2pm
How to order items using the Family History Center catalog
Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research
5300 Caroline
Houston, TX 77004-6896
832-393-2600

Denton County Genealogical Society Meeting, 6:30pm
Location: Denton Public Library
Emily Fowler Central Library
502 Oakland St
Denton, TX 76201

Saturday, March 14

Clayton Library Friends Seminar - Houston 9:30am
The Irish Are Coming
Mr. Fintan Mullan and Dr. Brian Trainor
Ulster Historical Foundation

East Texas Genealogical Society Meeting
Presenter: John Sellers
On the Road in Rusk County
Location: Rusk County Library
106 East Main Street
Henderson, TX 75652


For further details on these events, please see the Texas Genealogy Events Calendar. Please confirm all dates and locations with the host societies and organizations.

Do you have an event you'd like to see on the calendar? Contact me using the email address at the right side of this blog. Events should occur in Texas or be of interest to Texans (neighboring states welcome). Speakers are encouraged to publicize their presentations.

Back to School: Q & A

On my post Back to School: Report Card, Terri had some questions which were left in the comments. Instead of returning my reply in the comments, I created this post so everyone can read my responses.


How long have you been taking these classes?

I had planned to start September 2008, but a pesky hurricane got in the way. Two weeks without power, four weeks to get back on track, I started in November, 2008.

The format isn't classes in the traditional sense. It's 3 CDs with about 16 lessons. There are no due dates. I have to stay motivated and disciplined to keep the wheels turning.

Do you find that you are learning a lot from them?

Some material is new, some I already know. This course is helping me fill knowledge gaps. I'm also getting practical experience with citations.

I've only done about 25% of the assignments, so I'll have a better answer down the road.

How much time do you have to devote to these classes?

I spend 3-4 hours a week on reading, notes or assignments. Even if I only have a few minutes to spare one day, I'm always trying to make forward progress. I have been known to take a week off if life gets in the way.

At this pace, I finished an assignment every 2-3 weeks.

Do you feel it is worth the money asked?

For now I'm going to say yes, but ask me again when I'm done. I did pay extra for the grading option. So far, feedback has been minimal but positive. I don't know if the graders are supposed to praise the good and sugar coat the bad OR I actually did everything right, so there wasn't much to constructively criticize. I'll know more after I submit and receive other assignments.

The cost of this course seems comparable to the price of a semester class at a university.

Terri, I hope these answers help. This American Genealogy course is not difficult. Beginners can do it. Intermediate researchers can challenge themselves further by selecting more difficult genealogical problems to solve for the assignments. You get out of it what you put into it.

Share and Share Alike: The Will of Alexander Lenertz

Below is the will of Alexander Lenertz (d. 1879). It can be accessed or copied from the Blue Earth County Historical Society, file #588.

In the name of God, amen. Alexander Lenertz, of the city of Mankato, in the County of Blue Earth, + State of Minnesota, of the age 51 years, being of sound mind + memory + considering the uncertainty of this frail + transitory life, do therefore make, ordain, publish + declare, this to be my last will + testament: That is to say, first, after all my lawful debts are paid + discharged, the residue of my estate, real + personal, I give, bequeath, devise + dispose of as follows, to wit:

First, to my daughter Catharine I give + bequeath five dollars.

Second, to my beloved wife Margaret Lenertz, I give, bequeath + devise all the residue of my estate, both real + personal, to have to her use during the time of her natural life, + after her death the same to be divided between my children, John, Michael, Joseph, Alexander, William, Henry, Frank, Mary + Margaret equally, share + share alike; provided however, if my said wife shall marry after my decease, then + in that case, she shall have only such share of my said estate as is or shall at the time of my death be allowed to her by the laws of this State, + the balance shall then, at the time of her marriage, be divided between my said children, John, Michael, Joseph, Alexander, William, Henry, Frank, Mary + Margaret, share + share alike.

Likewise I make, constitute and appoint my wife Margaret Lenertz sole executrix of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name + affixed my seal the 23d day of September in the year of our lord, one thousand eight hundred + seventy eight –

Alexander Lenertz (seal)

The above written instrument was subscribed by the said Alexander Lenertz in our presence + acknowledged by him to each of us: and he at the same time published + declared the above instrument so subscribed to be his last will + testament; and we at the testators request, + in his presence, have signed our names as witnesses hereto, and written opposite our names our respective places of residence.

Qui-inus [Quivinus? Or Quirinus?] Leonard, of the city of Mankato
County of Blue Earth, State of Minnesota
Henry Willesheim, of the city of Mankato
County of Blue Earth, State of
Minnesota

Filed Sept 9th 1879
J. E. Porter
Probate Judge

Back to School: Assignment 4

I finished assignment 4 for the National Genealogical Society American Genealogy course. Each assignment has an online lecture of sorts, several reading assignments and one or more written tasks. When I say I'm done with assignment 4, it means I've done all of those things.

For this lesson, I had to examine genealogical materials in a library and write a report of what I found. There were specific questions I had to answer.

My nearest library does not have a genealogy department. They barely have a genealogy shelf. It's just a branch library. I could have chosen the Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research, but I decided to pick a library about which I knew very little as a way to challenge myself.

I chose the Montgomery County Memorial Library. Their main branch in Conroe, Texas has a wonderful genealogy department. The NGS assignment required me to look up many different types of materials. In doing so, I was able to learn more about this library and its holdings.

The second part of the assignment was a lesson on citations. In high school, I had MLA drilled into my head. In grad school, APA was forced upon me. Now I have to learn a whole other way to cite sources. It's not difficult, just frustrating to make the adjustment.

Lesson 5 deals with censuses. I think I'll get my first ProGen3 assignment out of the way before I dig in to the census work.

Pieces of History: Wordless Wednesday

Cypress Grove Cemetery, New Orleans

Photo taken January 2009

Clayton Library's Day in the Sun

The Clayton Library renovation is done and the official public ceremony is today.

Mitch Clendening of The Seeker was kind enough to point out a local news fluff piece on the event. There is also a Houston Chronicle article about the Clayton. Be sure to watch the video on the left side to get a feel of why this place is such a gem.

Texas Genealogy Events: Week of March 2-8, 2009

Straight from the Texas Genealogy Events calendar, here's what is happening in Texas for the week of March 2-9, 2009:

Monday, March 2:

Clayton House Grand Opening, 1:00 pm
Public ceremony for the grand opening of the newly renovated Clayton House on the grounds of the Clayton Library and Center for Genealogical Research. Houston Mayor Bill White, city council members, and others will be on hand for this event.

Montgomery County Genealogical & Historical Society, Inc.
Monthly Meeting, 6:30 pm
Montgomery County Memorial Library, 104 I-45 N, 1st floor meeting room, in Conroe, Texas.

Tuesday, March 3:

San Angelo Genealogical and Historical Society Meeting, 7:00 pm
First Baptist Church, First Place, 14 East Harris Avenue, San Angelo, Texas. Visitors are welcome.

Thursday, March 5:

Mid Cities Genealogical Society Meeting (Euless) 7:00 pm
Speaker: Bernard Meisner
Topic: Tracing Urban AncestorsPast MCGS President Bernard Meisner will discuss how he has tracked the family of Andreas and Barbara Meisner through the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, applying a variety of tips, techniques and data sources.

Saturday, March 7:

Houston Genealogical Forum Meeting, 10:00 am
Speaker: Lisa Struthers, MLIS, Director of Albert & Ethel Herzstein Library, San Jacinto Museum of History
Topic: Live online tour of the library online catalog
Bayland Park Community Center
6400 Bissonnet, Houston

Genealogical Society of Kendall County Meeting, 10:00 am
Boerne, Boerne Public Library


For further details on these events, please see the Texas Genealogy Events Calendar. Please confirm all dates and locations with the host societies and organizations.

Do you have an event you'd like to see on the calendar? Contact me using the email address at the right side of this blog. Events should occur in Texas or be of interest to Texans (neighboring states welcome). Speakers are encouraged to publicize their presentations.