Busy Busy Bee

Things have been busy here lately. My part-time job has been really fun. I try to keep it out of my personal genealogy blog, but it's so new and interesting. Social media haven't fully been explored in the genealogy field, so  it's fun to push buttons and see what happens.

On top of that, I have a paying gig doing research on a prominent Houston family (locals: think GRB). The subject matter is fascinating, but my son doesn't think so. Poor guy has to go with me on research trips, but he's old enough to be responsible for his own entertainment. All those hours I've spent waiting for trains to come...I'm cashing in those chips.

My ProGen experience is winding down, but not before a huge assignment that's due at the end of summer. More on that later.

All these things keep me from doing any personal research right now, but that will change once I can get the temporary tasks done.

This is just a check-in post. More to follow when I can catch my breath.

Anatomy of a Military Pension File, Part 23

Previously, I reported on the acquisition of my great-great-great grandfather's military pension file. The documents contained within paint a picture of a man and his family about which I knew very little. I've decided to share this 103-page treasure with you a few pages at a time.

Page 40: Letter from Mrs. Lena Smith


Back in part 18 of this series, there was a letter from the government asking Lena Smith to furnish a bill for nursing (of her dying mother), and for Lena's husband to sign the statement. Below is Lena's reply to that request:

Dear Sir:

Miss Little the nurse has left Milwaukee, for Evanston Ill, and it is impossible for us to locate her. Dr. Sickles send her to us on the afternoon of the 3rd of Jan. and my mother dying on the 4th of Jan. She was dismissed on the afternoon of the 4th of Jan. at 5 o'clock. My husband paid her $4.00 before she left, personally. He never thought to ask for a receipt in that hour if bereavement. Hoping this is satisfactory I remain.

Very Resp'y

Mrs. Lena Smith

What I learned from this record:

I learned that Lena is a lot more polite than I would be. If the government was harassing me for a receipt just hours after a family member died--and after I've provided all the other receipts showing my mother's medical needs and steady decline--I'd probably write something like "HERE IS YOUR RECEIPT!" and...well....there are just so many pictures I could include with that letter. I'd probably get in trouble and not get reimbursed for the widow's medical and burial costs. Gold star to my third-great aunt Lena for exercising restraint.

On to part 24 here.

Blog Love from Genea-Musings

What a nice surprise! Randy Seaver of the extremely-popular Genea-Musings blog has featured this not-as-popular (but hopefully getting there) We Tree blog for Follow Friday!

Before this news, the highlight of my day was a propane-tank exchange at the hardware store. Now this day is looking up! Thanks, Randy!

Virtual Presentations in Genealogy

Over at Geneabloggers.com, there is a discussion about virtual presentations in genealogy. If you've ever presented, attended or not, your comments are requested and welcome.

Virtual presentations are quite common in other fields, but just starting to be utilized regularly in the genealogy world. This is your chance to be part of the conversation.

Jigsaw Genealogy

There are several steps to doing a jigsaw puzzle. First, you get all the pieces out of the box and turn them face up on the table. Then you start looking for pieces with similarities: bits of red probably go together, as do the edges. Eventually, the small clumps of interlocking pieces get joined to other clumps until you have enough to form a picture.

Genealogy is a lot like that puzzle sometimes. Currently, I'm trying to get some information on my great-grandmother Cecelia. She may be a Yost or a Jost. I do know she was born in 1892 Inzenhof, Austria, and that she came to settle in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania in 1909. By 1920, she was married, soon off to California. She died in 1931 leaving four children. My grandmother never knew her mother.

I do know that Cecelia had family in the Lehigh County area when she arrived from Austria. There is more than one Cecelia Yost/Jost in the area at that time, so a little more work is needed. 

Yesterday, I started taking the puzzle pieces out of the box and turning them face up. I am making a list of all the Yosts and Josts who immigrated from Inzenhof, Austria or its Hungarian neighbor town and/or listed Lehigh County, Pennsylvania as their final destination. I'm starting this daunting task with the EllisIsland.org. site and going from there.

After that, I will look at all the Yosts and Josts residing in Lehigh County in the 1910 and 1920 federal censuses. I've also made a note to myself to check 1900 and 1930 if necessary.

Then I will do a quick check for newspaper articles and obits from the area for any mention of Yost, Jost and/or Inzenhof, Allentown or any of the little Lehigh County villages to which these folks immigrated.

So far in this task, I've already seen some similarities. I'm starting to put puzzle pieces together. I'm seeing possible siblings. I've also been able to eliminate one Ceceilia Yost/Jost as she was married to another man.

In all my personal research time this week (yeah, right) I'll continue to turn all the Yost and Jost puzzle pieces face up. This may be a big puzzle with a lot of pieces, but I don't know how else to approach this problem. I have no family information to go on. I've already struck out in the marriage record department (though I'm still trying). 

Cecelia was young and poor when she came to America and isn't in many records. I know she worked in a cigar factory before she was married. I also know she died too young. Her story deserves to be told and I am the only one in the position to do so. That's why I'm turning over all these puzzle pieces, with the hope that it will lead to a full picture of this branch in my family tree.

Fun With Search Terms

With the weekend just a few time ticks away and me still trying to catch up from being at Jamboree, I've decided today is a great day for more Fun With Search Terms!

Periodically, I like to look at my blog's site statistics and see the keywords used to find my site. Here's what I found this round:

"john robert williamson" and "pope county"
What a coincidence! I have a John Robert Williamson of Pope County (Arkansas) in my family tree. He is my 4th great grandfather. How I wish  the blog visitor who found my blog would have contacted me. This type of search on my direct ancestors happens often. Wonder if we could have compared notes?

photos of Cameron, Louisiana
Go to flickr and type "Cameron Louisiana" into the search box. Your results will be public photos that have been tagged with Cameron AND Louisiana.

being rock stars
That information is confidential, sorry.

How to get free access to Ancestry.com
Many public libraries offer free access to special library editions of Ancestry.com and HeritageQuest. Contact your local public library to see if they do.

Pleasanton Family History Expo
This person may have been looking for the California Family History Expo, which is happening in Pleasanton, October 8-9 2010.

week 16 52 weeks to better genealogy
Ok, to the person who found me using this search string: just email me! I wrote the darn series; I have them all! Here's #16:

16. Check out the online library catalog of a university. You may use one close to you, or one in the area of your research. Colleges and universities have wonderful archives, many of which are valuable to historical research. Browse around the library website and investigate the various archival collections. Make note of ones that may assist you in your own research. Genealogy blog authors are encouraged to write about what they find and share the details for benefit of their readers.

history Lenertz family

Dude, if I had this, my genealogy and my life would be pretty complete. This unique surname is both a blessing and a curse. Contact me if you're interested in it. We can write the Lenertz family history together.

I Heard the News Today, Oh Boy

At Jamboree, it was announced that I am now the Social Media Coordinator for Family History Expos. That's just a fancy way of saying that I'll be knee-deep in the online presence for the company.

Nothing will change on this blog, though I may occasionally strong arm you into joining the Family History Expos Facebook Page, and/or LinkedIn Group. You can also follow along at Twitter @FHExpos and register for the newsletter. Family History Expos has a new website coming very soon. I can't wait for you to see it.

Guess that's it for now. No genealogy today, but a train ride is in my future. My son is very happy with today's plans. We're in the San Diego area right now. That earthquake last night was just California welcoming me back home.

SCGS10 Update 3

Yesterday at Jamboree was very busy, but I don't have a lot to show for it in blog terms. In the morning I attended the Blogger Summit, parts 1 and 2. The first session dealt with the basics, starting with "What is a blog?" The second half delved into more detail with genealogy blogs. Both sessions had moderated panels. It was fun to attend because 1) I knew everyone on both panels and 2) I like listening to the audience comments.

Then I went to lunch with Holly Hansen of Family History Expos. This will make perfect sense to some (namely those who are up to date in their blog reading).

In the afternoon, I worked the exhibit hall. I talked to a lot of people. I also thanked those who gave items to the geneablogger gift bags. This whole process took a couple of hours. It was then I realized how many people I know in this field.

After a bag drop off in my hotel room, I took in the no-host happy hour complete with music. Then we went to the Megan Smolenyak banquet.

The evening was topped off with a nice visit in the hotel bar with friends. That was my Saturday.

This morning I got up early. The first session of the day dealt with advanced topics in RootsMagic 4. Bruce covered making groups, shared events, custom reports and sentence templates. I was pleased to learn more about designing sentence templates. I don't know why this is such a complex topic for me, but I need puppets and bright pictures in my lessons.

I had a late breakfast/early lunch with Thomas MacEntee and his better half George. Now I am full from waffle overdose and need a nap. But blogging calls so I must fight to stay awake.

The end of Jamboree is near, and that makes me sad. But I had a good time. Now I can look forward to next year. SCGS11 here I come.

SCGS10 Update 2

Another busy day, another hurried update. The genealogy gift bags were a hit. I spent the morning at the pick-up point (aka the unofficial blogger hangout) greeting everyone as they arrived. I lunched with A. C. Ivory (of the Find My Ancestor blog) and Holly Hansen (of Family History Expos).

In the afternoon, I volunteered at the California Genealogical Society booth with Kathryn Doyle. It was great to talk with people in the hall, and I was happy to help the society as a "distance" member.

Then I went to Lisa Louise Cooke's class on using Google Earth for genealogy. This was a substitute for a cancelled class, but you'd never know it because it was completely full. Lisa is a great speaker and it was fun to see how excited the crowd was to see all the tricks. Lisa shared a photo (location unknown) from her family and then showed the audience how she used Google Earth and all its tricks to discover the location of the photo. Good stuff.

Pre-dinner, we had a ProGen meetup (very brief) and a photo. Then I went to the banquet. Chris Haley (nephew of Alex) was the speaker.

After the banquet, some people went to the bar, but I could barely stay awake. Long days, Texas time and my advancing age (lol) will do that to you.

SCGS10 Update 1

If you read my previous post, you know that the Geneabloggers present at Jamboree (who RSVPed for the meetup) are receiving some amazing gift bags, compliments of some supportive vendors and wonderful volunteers.

Last night, the "bag team" assembled to put together the bags. We met at the home of The Family Curator, where she provided a wonderful meal and great hospitality.

This morning I got up at 5 a.m. because I am still on Texas time. That means I am chipper and ready for the conference. I came down to the lobby to use the free wi-fi before everyone else woke up and sucked away all the juice.

This morning I will be assisting in distribution of the bags. I will also be handing out badge ribbons. Come find me if you're a ProGen group member or Rock Star.

Thank you vendors!

Members of GeneaBloggers who attend the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree are in for a treat. Numerous vendors have generously donated products that are featured in the GeneaBloggers Welcome Bags.

In the past few weeks, I have been working behind the scenes on the bag committee (insert "bag lady" joke here). I communicated with several of the vendors and confirmed delivery of the items. Also on this committee were: Thomas MacEntee, Chief Bag Officer and the man behind GeneaBloggers and High-Definition Genealogy, Joan Miller of Luxegen Genealogy and Denise Levenick aka The Family Curator and close personal friend of Miss Penelope Dreadful.

All of the vendors have been so gracious and supportive of the genealogy blogging community. I'd like to thank them.

• AgesOnline
• Archives.com
• Casefile Clues
• Family History Expos
• FamilySearch
• Family Tree Magazine
• Geneabloggers
• Generation Maps Family ChArtist
• Heritage Makers Consultant Joan B. Meritt
• High-Definition Genealogy
• In-N-Out Burger
• JAMB Conference Recordings
• Legacy Family Tree Software
• Light Impressions
• Luxegen Genealogy
• Marriott Residence Inn, Salt Lake City
• Maureen Taylor: The Photo Detective
• Miss Penelope Dreadful
• Photos Made Perfect
• RootsMagic
• Southern California Genealogical Society
• The Family Curator
• Virtual LockBox
• World Vital Records

I donated a little something, too (emphasis on the little), but it seems silly to thank myself.

So again, thank you to all the vendors and my fellow committee members for all you've done for these fantastic Welcome Bags. They're going to be a hit!

I'll be stopping by the exhibit booths of all the vendors who were a part of this project. It's going to be a great Jamboree. I hope I'll see you there.

SCGS10 Pre-Jamboree Happenings

Hello from Burbank! I'm here for the Southern California Genealogical Society's 2010 Jamboree. I rolled into town early so I could go to the SCGS Library before the crowd got here.

My short session went well. I found another Los Angeles City Directory that wasn't online and located several different family members in there.

Later, I went to lunch with a new friend (Hi, Karen) who is a first-timer at Jamboree. It's still quiet here (for a few hours), so I was trying to explain just how crazy it's going to get very soon.

After the library, we went to lunch, where we saw Thomas MacEntee who had just arrived in town.

Later today, I'm on a secret mission. I can't tell you what it is just yet, but it's going to make some attendees very, very happy.

Stay tuned...

Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy registration opens June 10th

[I received this press release today. I thought some people might be interested in this event so I'm posting it here. I've never been. Maybe someday. --A]

Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy registration opens June 10^th.

Get in on the ground floor of one of the world’s best genealogy education experiences.  Registration for the 2011 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy opens at 9 AM MST Thursday, June 10, 2010 online at www.inofuga.org.  Some of the country’s best genealogical educators are gathering to help you gain expertise in a flash with small class sizes and hands-on research.  Whether you are a beginner or are looking for advanced skills, you can’t afford to miss this wonderful opportunity to learn from the experts.  Register early as all class are expected to fill to capacity.

The 2011 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy will be held 10-14 Jan 2011 at the downtown Radisson Hotel located at 215 West South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah.  Registration is $320 before 30 October 2010, thereafter $345. UGA members can use the coupon “SLIG2011” before October 30^th for the member pricing of $280. All coupons used by members will be verified by membership staff. Registration includes course materials, an orientation breakfast and the Friday night banquet. Evening classes and additional dinner tickets are extra.

• American Records and Research: Focusing on Localities with Paula Stuart-Warren, CG
• NEHGS part1 --New England and New York with D. Joshua Taylor
• Irish Family History Research with David Ouimette, CG
• Research of France and her Former Colonies with Earl Charvet
• Researching in Washington, DC, without Leaving Home with Rick and Pam Sayre, CG, CGL
• Professional Paths and Income in Genealogy with Kory Meyerink, MLS, AG, FUGA
• Internet Tools & Techniques with Barbara Renick
• Producing a Quality Family Narrative with John Philip Colletta, Ph.D., FUGA
• Advanced Methodology with Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA
• Accreditation and Certification with Apryl Cox, AG and Connie Lenzen, CG
• Problem Solving with Judith Hansen, MLS, AG

SLIG was established in 1996 by the Utah Genealogical Association, and has become one of the premier genealogy education experiences in the country.  Classes are taught in the mornings and finish in the afternoons leaving time for research at the Family History Library.  Optional evening classes round out the offerings providing a deep educational experience in only five days.   Evening classes are also available to the public for $10 per class.  So, if you aren’t able to come during the day, evening classes provide a great option for learning the latest techniques in a quick and easy format.

Course outlines and registration information can be found at www.infouga.org .  Registration is limited.  Come strengthen your skills to discover your roots.

The Rock Star’s Guide to Genealogy Conferences

Why do we go to genealogy conferences? Obvious answers are for the sessions, the banquets and the vendor marketplace.  But while the masses are busily getting their genealogical fix, it’s easy to overlook the alternate ways to acquire information, meet people and have fun at such events. Here are the steps to take the bull by the horns and work the conference floor like a genealogy Rock Star.  Your early-bird registration will never be the same.

Sample the wares.

Get in to the exhibit hall and work the aisles. Vendors will have their latest and greatest products ready to show you. Touch them (if permitted), test them and use them like they were your own. If software or databases are involved, run some test searches using real research issues from your own ancestry. If great-grandma’s history is a giant brick wall, bring her info to the table and make her your test subject. At the very least you’ll get a true demo of the product, and you may even get some information that will help you grow your family tree. Rock stars don’t walk sheepishly by the booths. They ask questions and get the latest information before everyone else.

Talk to strangers.

Yes, this goes against everything your mother taught you (or everything you taught your kids). However, your experience at genealogy conferences is greatly improved when you talk to strangers. Why?

·        Everyone at the conference has a common interest in genealogy. Ask someone where he or she is from and you have an instant ice breaker. Pretty soon, you’re jotting down notes just sure you’re each other’s fifth cousin.

·        You could get lucky, genealogically speaking. Through elevator rides, random banquet seating, airport shuttle serendipity, you could find yourself talking to a Very Important Genealogist, a company CEO, a keynote speaker, or the exact person who can help you get the record you can’t seem to get from (insert the name of any state here). Think I’m kidding? I’ve met all of these people along the way, all because I opened my big mouth and made small talk.

·        As corny as it sounds, strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet. Who couldn’t use more friends?

Leave your mark.
Celebrities give autographs. Genealogy Rock Stars give business cards. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a business. When you’re sampling the vendors’ wares and talking to strangers, you need to leave them with something to remember you by. At the very least, your cards should have your name and an email address or phone number. If you add a mailing address, you can use the cards for vendor drawings as well. Don’t stop there, though. Consider going the Rock-Star route: make some 2-sided cards and put your social media information, research interests or surnames on the back. You never know who you will meet at a genealogy conference. Don’t get caught without cards.

Face your fears.

When planning which sessions to attend, consider choosing the topics about which you know the least. Are you clueless about German genealogy? Go to that class. Does the thought of writing a blog boggle your mind? Attend the session that will help you untangle the confusion. When you tend to the weakest link, you’ll eventually build up a strong chain of genealogy education. Face your fears! It’s the genealogy Rock Star equivalent of bungee jumping.

Play hooky.

Presentations are great, but some of the best information is uncovered outside genealogy sessions. Use the steps listed above and get yourself situated to be part of the conversation. In more casual settings outside the classrooms, lecturers, publishers, vendors and various A-listers are more apt to share the real scoop in the genealogy world. Be flexible with your class schedule and give yourself permission to go with the flow. What happens if your favorite genealogy author or presenter is sitting next to you in the hotel lounge? Do you look at your watch, stick to your rigid schedule and make a beeline for the next session? Or do you seize the opportunity for some great one-on-one genealogy conversation? Rock stars know the answer. They don’t even ask the question.

Break curfew.

Great things happen at genealogy conferences including sessions and exhibits all day long. It takes a lot of people to make those things happen and their only free time is at night. If you hit the early hay, you’ll miss the chance to mingle with the backstage crew. I know you’re tired after a long day, but you owe it to your Rock-Star persona to suck it up and partake in the after-hours festivities. Whether it’s dinner at a restaurant or simply a group of people chatting in the hotel lounge, some of the best experiences, memories and friendships come from the after-hours magic.

Vendi, Vidi, Vici

Conferences are short, sweet and memorable. Give yourself permission to experience it all and then go out and do it. That’s how genealogy Rock Stars roll.

Are you going to Southern California Genealogical Society’s 2010 Jamboree this month? Come find me. I have a little something for the Rock Stars. J

ProGen Meetup at SCGS Jamboree

If you are a member or alumni of the ProGen group and are going to the SCGS Jamboree next week, please join me for a brief meetup and photo on Friday, June 11 at 6:00 pm. We will be in the Marriott, in the little seating area between the hotel desk and the restaurant (right by the coffee bar). We'll take the picture at 6:15, giving you plenty of time to get seated for the banquet if that's in your plans.

If you can't make it for the meetup, come find me at Jamboree. I have a ProGen badge ribbon for you.

Randy and Sheri, I've counted you as alumni and hope you will be able to join is. I have ribbons for you, too. If you know of other alums I may have missed, let me know. I'm bringing a couple extra ribbons just in case.

See you there!

Pre-Conference Prep

I don't have anything exciting for the ol' blog this week. School just got out, I'm trying to figure out why my pool is turning green and there's a whole list of things to do before Jamboree.

Here's what I need to get done:

Charge the camera and clear the memory card. You never know what will happen at Jamboree. I intend to get all paparazzi on the Geneabloggers crew and document everything.

Charge the netbook and make sure it gets in the carry-on bag. How else can I report every waking minute of Jamboree to those who couldn't make it?

Get my i-Tunes playlists all sorted out. Genealogy podcasts for the plane ride to CA, tunes for the car ride to Burbank. Very important part of the experience.

Make sure the "essentials" are packed. Rock-Star badge ribbons are part of this category.

Must remember to pack the printed conference schedule. Everything I have to remember, volunteer hours, etc. is written on that schedule. I may want to write my name on that schedule in case I forget who I am.

Is there anything else I am forgetting?

WE made the "Best Of!"

Last week I wrote a post titled From the E-Mail Bag: Help a Reader Out. One reader asked me a question and gave me permission to publish it and my answer. I did so, but asked readers to give their answers, too.

Well that post made Randy Seaver's Best of the Genea-Blogs for the week!

The whole reason that post is valuable is because of all the great comments provided by others. So while I am writing this in part to thank Randy, I am also writing it to congratulate the commenters who deserve top credit for the honor. Y'all are the best part of We Tree in my book!