Call it luck or serendipity, when someone stumbles across a genealogical treasure, he is at the right place at the right time!

Fred made a trip to the local Family History Center.  Through the special FamilySearch Portal, which offers access to a number of premium resources, he was able to bring up an "old" genealogy magazine which is now out of print.  The Genealogical Helper was an essential tool in the years before the development of the Internet, a place to post queries and sometimes, find other family members or potential collaborators.

In this resource, Fred found a reference to a a surname that was in his family files, a line which had become a "brick wall" in his research.  Amazingly, the person who posted the "ad" was still living, as Fred discovered via the Internet.  He has written this individual at the same address that he posted in the Genealogical Helper and will let me know if or when he gets a response.  There is a good chance that the man is his second cousin!

And now, Fred, for you, the lyrics of a song from the Sound of Music; I know it's a kind of love song, but I just feel like you must have been living good to receive this opportunity to link to your kinfolk.  At the very least, you had a genealogy angel watching over you!  It could also be argued that, occasionally, when you reach out for help, your investment of time and effort is rewarded in a big way!

Maria:
Perhaps I had a wicked childhood
Perhaps I had a miserable youth
But somewhere in my wicked, miserable past
There must have been a moment of truth

For here you are, standing there, loving me
Whether or not you should
So somewhere in my youth or childhood
I must have done something good

Nothing comes from nothing
Nothing ever could
So somewhere in my youth or childhood
I must have done something good

Captain:
For here you are, standing there, loving me
Whether or not you should

Maria:
So somewhere in my youth or childhood
I must have done something good

Maria and the Captain:
Nothing comes from nothing
Nothing ever could

Maria:
So somewhere in my youth
Captain:
Or childhood
Maria:
I must have done something . . .
Maria and the Captain:
Something good

Read more: The Sound Of Music - Something Good (Maria And The Captain) Lyrics | MetroLyrics

Use case studies to become a better family history and genealogy researcher - Springfield genealogy | Examiner.com

Use case studies to become a better family history and genealogy researcher - Springfield genealogy | Examiner.com

How can using case studies help you to become a better family historian and genealogist?  Class activity and discussion will center on this topic on Friday, the 21st.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Family Tree - A Genealogy Case Study

Laura Ingalls Wilder Family Tree - A Genealogy Case Study

There are many case studies available that take a particular person and show you how to step-by-step research their genealogy, using a variety of methods.  See how this plays out with Laura Ingalls Wilder and the people in her life (she is a real historical person, but her life didn't necessarily follow the character in the book all the time).

Start with what you know or can find out online at wikipedia, for example.  Then using this information, go out and find some kind of evidence for the facts.

There are case studies that have been done the "wrong way" as well as the "right way"; what kind of story can you reconstruct about your ancestros, using family tradition, the census, the clues?

John Philip Colletta: Genealogist

John Philip Colletta: Genealogist

He wrote "They Came in Ships" .  If he'd never done anything else, that would put him in my heart!  I've heard him speak and if you ever have the opportunity to do that, you'll love him just like I do!

 

Check out his website!  

Ethan Stiefel Makes a New Zealand Ballet Troupe His Own - NYTimes.com

Ethan Stiefel Makes a New Zealand Ballet Troupe His Own - NYTimes.com  

Who, in your family, sacrificed comfort and close proximity to family members, for a higher calling?  How generous Mr. Stiefel is to share his vision with the NZ Ballet Troupe!  I'll just bet he has accumulated a lot of sky miles, going back and forth to the U.S. of A.

I think of our military serving, sometimes, thousands of miles from home.  Not only is it their sacrifice that must be noted, but those of their families, as well!

Back to the Ballet:  Maybe there is little about the art of dancing on your toes to compare with what the men and women in uniform do, but I do believe that there are occasions when the easy choice is not always the right or best choice.  I've found that the dreams that you pay for with sacrifice are dreams that bless your family and posterity and perhaps the fight for world peace.

My son lives in New Zealand.  He chose to be there where he could make a living in the field in which he received formal training.  He chose New Zealand, also, because he liked it.  Do we miss him and wish he was closer to "home"?  All the time.  However, he is broadening his horizons in several areas, starting a new family, and making a contribution. 

Our ancestors didn't stay, (some of them), in the same place all their lives.  There was always that one that chose a different life, a less traveled path.   Hopefully, they enriched their lives, the lives of their family, and the lives of those around them.  Hopefully, we can document the footprints of their "beyond the blue horizon" walk and bring them back, at least on paper, to back to the memories of those who stayed behind, or rather, to their descendants.

Kaylee, born a year ago in Auckland, New Zealand.  My son, living and working there, married a lovely girl from the Republic of China, and voila!  I am the grandmother of a sweet new branch on our tree.

A Grave Interest: Cemetery Statues of Hope

A Grave Interest: Cemetery Statues of Hope

Learning more about graves and cemeteries extends our understanding of the culture of the past.

Scientists find 800,000-year-old footprints in England | Fox News

Scientists find 800,000-year-old footprints in England | Fox News

If you are a genealogist and get back this far, I'll give you this blog!

Sunset Bayou Cemetery records, Eglin Field, Okaloosa County, Florida (Microform, 1956) [WorldCat.org]

Sunset Bayou Cemetery records, Eglin Field, Okaloosa County, Florida (Microform, 1956) [WorldCat.org]

We learned in our class at the Center for Lifelong Learning, "Beyond Basic Genealogy", how to utilize WorldCat for locating genealogically interesting records.

A Work in Progress

What is a "Blog"?  One of the things it isn't: It isn't static.  In fact, you might consider it as a body of work that is in progress. 

EOGN (Eastman Online Genealogy Newsletter) has several facets to it.  One such facet is an encyclopedia of genealogical terms and information.  I love that this particular addition to the Encyclopedia is information about a Texas genealogical society.  So, have you explored this resource to find a society that is in the area where you're researching?

If you're wondering how Dick Eastman can accumulate so much information for his blog, it's really no secret that he accepts submissions for the Encyclopeida of Genealogy.  Has your historical or genealogical society submitted their information?

Follow the Global RootsTech Conference Online

Ten thousand people will be in Salt Lake City, Utah, this week, for the annual RootsTECH Conference.

Would you like to join them?  Well, in a sense, you can!  Several sessions will be shared online, and you're invited to attend.  Follow the conference online, at no cost or inconvenience.

Look at the list of topics and tell me which ones you don't want to miss!

Megan Smolenyak: What Race Is Bruno Mars?

Megan Smolenyak: What Race Is Bruno Mars?

When talking about race isn't rascist: When ethnicity and heritage and race is indicative of family history.

Rescuing and Digitally Preserving the Cultural Heritage of the Great Smoky Mountains | The Signal: Digital Preservation

Rescuing and Digitally Preserving the Cultural Heritage of the Great Smoky Mountains | The Signal: Digital Preservation

This Library of Congress Post reminds us that each and everyone of us can preserve our own family's cultural heritage.  Learn the art of scanning photos, heirlooms and practice "journaled" scrapbooking.  Write your memoirs and encourage your family to do likewise.

In a day when what others do seems to be more important (celebrity watching, poring over the latest "Pins" at Pinterest, etc., let us not to forget that each of us has something unique to share.  But to share it we have to create our own personal history, first.  Maybe not a comprehensive project, but steadily in a family newsletter or whatever.

Imagine a World Without Cyndi's List, FindAGrave & NEHGS » Mocavo Blog - News, Announcements & More from the World's Largest Free Genealogy Search Engine

Imagine a World Without Cyndi's List, FindAGrave & NEHGS » Mocavo Blog - News, Announcements & More from the World's Largest Free Genealogy Search Engine

Please!  Read this article and the CNN article as well.  Rise up genealogists and other interested people.

Good Idea: Listening to Genealogy and History Podcasts

Here's a good idea from another Genealogy Blog.

I used to listen to genealogy and family history podcasts; I don't have a long commute to anywhere, but perhaps there are quiet places I could go and eat lunch and listen.  I am so glad that this blogger gave me a gentle reminder.

February News and Events in Northwest Florida and Thereabouts

• Genealogical Society of Okaloosa County:
  

Come hear about "Murder, Mayhem and Many Mrs.'s" and learn what can be accomplished with online resources in family history research.
Using genealogy, history and online resources, Elizabeth Crowe will paint a lively picture of Colonel Guy Wyman, the founder of Navarre, at the Genealogy Society of Okaloosa County meeting, 10 a.m. February 8 at the Northwest Florida Heritage Museum in Valparaiso. 
There’s never a dull moment in the story of Wyman and his family:It’s a story of murder, mayhem, madness and four wives.  The man was about the same age as Albert Einstein and Pancho Villa; he served in Pershing's calvary unit; and lived to see the space age!

Libbi Crowe, a Navarre resident, is the author of Genealogy Online, and is now writing the 10th edition. Crowe’s father really was a rocket scientist and she has been involved with computers since the early days. Her family got involved in genealogy after discovering an old Bible with family records going back to 1812.

• Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida

Victorian Valentine's Day Tea,
Saturday, February 15th, 2:00-3:30p.m.;
Celebrate Valentine's Day in a unique and fun way this year. 
 Men, women and children will enjoy a variety of teas and light refreshments while learning fun Valentine's Day facts, Victorian traditions and tea etiquette.
Cost:  $15 or $12 for Museum Members
Space is limited!  Reservations are required.
Call:  (850) 678-2615    

Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida
115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso, FL  32580

• West Florida Genealogical Society:

Saturday, February 1, 2014
Place: West Florida Genealogy Library. 5740 N. 9th Ave, Pensacola, FL
850-494-7373
Time: 10:00 AM
Speaker: Jerry Merritt
Topic: Let’s Find Your Roots!

Saturday, February 1, 2014 is the West Florida Genealogical Society’s Annual African-American Help Day. Jerry Merritt’s program will show techniques for beginning as well as experienced researchers, with an emphasis on locating hard-to-find information about African-American genealogy.

Mr. Merritt has been a popular presenter with WFGS members. His programs provide practical and easily understood methods for all genealogists.

Following the program, the West Florida Genealogy Library will be open and volunteers will provide research assistance using library computers and other resources. Since computer access is limited, attendees are encouraged to reserve a space by calling 478-6168. Personal laptops and tablets may be used; no reservation is required for them.

Basic Forms - Family Tree Magazine

Basic Forms - Family Tree Magazine

Do these people want you to subscribe to their magazine?  You bet.  And it's a great subscription to get.  What you might not think about it that even some subscription web sites (like Ancestry.com, etc.) have free stuff.  Here, at Family Tree Magazine, you can print out free charts.

To find other sites where you can print out charts or learn what forms might be helpful, check Cyndi's List  or the FamilySearch Wiki.  

Famous Family Trees - Celebrity Trees & Famous Folk

Famous Family Trees - Celebrity Trees; Famous Folk

Advantages of being related to a celebrity or famous person:

• Their genealogy has already been researched.
• They might have the financial resources to travel to the homeland (and send you pictures)!
• It might get your children finally interested in genealogy.

If your relative has been a United States President, he may have his own library.  Can you think of other reasons you might relish the thought of being kin to a famous person?

The Ancestry Insider seeks to clear up confusion...

The Ancestry Insider 

This is a blog that I read frequently for a better understanding of two primary genealogy websites that I depend on: Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.

I gather from this that some folks are concerned about alliances that have occurred, several very recently between these two organizations.  I think that the message I'm getting from the blog is that this:

• Good things happen when the big guys partner with each other on preservation projects, especially digitization of records.  More records accessible to more people is good, right?
• FamilySearch doesn't show any sign of closing free access of the historical records featured on the site.  Is that assumption on my part correct?
• If I could afford it, I would take advantage of the best that each genealogy website has to offer; since I do have budget, I continue to search for record sites that offer free or low cost access.  I use FamilySearch both at home and at the Family History Center, so that I can utilize the premium web sites that are offered at that location.  I depend greatly on Ancestry.com's United States collection (also available at the Family History Censter) and occasionally, I activate my "at home" subscription to Ancestry, also.
• I have more than enough to do with the sources available just between those two sites and hope for state and local governments to continue to try and make their collections more available through digitization projects, on the Internet,

What's Happening in NWFL and thereabouts...Updated

Happy New Year!

 Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida: Did you know that the museum is a member of Panhandle Historic Preservation Alliance?  
Check out the historic alliances in Okaloosa County, and/or other Panhandle counties.  Road trip, anyone?  In addition, the calendar of activities and events for the Alliance is posted at THIS PAGE.

The Heritage Museum's Valparaiso archives are available to research by appointment.   And one last word about this amazing institution: it is the building where the Genealogical Society of Okaloosa County gathers the second Saturday of every month!

Want to know what is happeninng in the rest of Florida?  Check out the Florida State Genealogical Society site; I'm excited because their annual conference will be held in Gainesville, FL, this year! 
The three-day conference will be held at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center in Gainesville, Florida on 28 - 30 March 2014.

I can't contain my excitement about another event that is just a little bit further afield than Gainesville:    The NGS 2014 Family History Conference will be held at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, Virginia. Mark your calendars for 7–10 May 2014.

The Salt Palace Convention Center

Feb. 6-8th, 2014:  If you really want to get out of Dodge (no one gets this phrase, anymore, unless they are "older"), there is the RootsTech event in Salt Lake City.  I know at least two people from our local area who are attending this year--I'm impressed!  A serious 21st Century family historian aspires to events like this one.  Many of the lectures, presentations, etc.  will be available to the general public at some point.   

West Florida Genealogical Society January Program:  This will happen on January 4, 2014!  The program will feature Charlene Grafton; her topic is "What's In Your Genes?"--"Human Disease Traits.

Charlene is a survivor of Stevens Johnson Syndrome caused by a severe reaction to Septra DS in 2009; she is also the author of What's In Your Genes: Human Threads Linking Genetics and Genealogy.  She is a participant in the Personal Genome Project with Dr. George Church at Harvard. 

Bay County Genealogical Society sponsors Dick Eastman at their Spring Seminar!  This will be an event you won't want to miss.  Richard "Dick" Eastman is an internationally known lecturer and author of Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter.  Did you know that the BCGS received an award in 2012 recognizing their efforts at preservation of local records?  It's a well deserved award, too! (March 22nd, 2014).

The Genealogical Society of Okaloosa County January Program: The January 11, 2014 meeting will feature a presentation by Hank Klein entitled Publishing and Enjoying Your Genealogy Work. Mr. Klein has completed three books on his and his wife's ancestors, and is working on the fourth. Several of his articles have been published in the GSOC Newsletter and his interesting presentations to the Society are highly regarded.

January 10th, 2014 Registration Date for Center for Lifelong Learning, 
Fort Walton Beach: I have LINKED TO the registration schedule here for you, so that you can mark your calendars, now, for the Winter/Spring Session which begins shortly.  You will need to look, also, at the Course Listings of all the classes that are offered, this session.  There are three genealogy related classes and other classes that might be of interest to a family historian, heritage lover, or anyone!  My friends, Hilma and Tom teach the ABC's of Genealogy; my friend, Marc teaches the FamilySearch Family Tree, and I will do Beyond Basic Genealogy. *

*More about Beyond Basic Genealogy in my next blog!

Gloria Ex Amore Patriae

Gloria Ex Amore Patriae

Do you have Danish royalty in your ancestry?  What type of traditional clothing/costumes did your fore fathers and mothers wear?