Learning from Blogs

Blogs are places where I learn, exchange ideas and information, and catch up on what my genealogy friends are doing.  It seems each week I find blogs I want to follow.  Some have infrequent posts (as this one does at times), but reading archived posts can also be interesting.

Today I was reading my friend Leland Meitzler's Genealogy Blog.  His post "Discover the Van Dusens of New Amsterdam - 1627-2011" has a link to the full article in the New York Times, published on 22 July 2011.  The name Van Dusen popped right out and I knew that I would learn from that article since I research the family in New Amsterdam.  Thanks, Leland!

Each day I read the short, but informative blog written by Michael John Neill called Genealogy Tip of the Day.  On 19 July 2011 he wrote about the terms devise and bequeath.  Thanks Michael for informing us that devise refers to real property and bequeath to personal property.

Since grade school days I have been fascinated with the Lost Colony of Roanoke.  The history book account sparked an interest in mysteries that need to be solved.  My interest was later rekindled when I discovered early ancestors living in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  They weren't members of the Lost Colony, though.  Because of my interest in that part and place of history, I frequently read the blog, Lost Colony Research Group.   If you enjoy history and genealogy in combination, check out the blog, Jamestown Adventurers.  It is a part of Virginia Pioneers.net.  You might want to also check out their web page.

Now is the time to celebrate the Civil War.  There are many blogs pertaining to the war, research, reenactments and events.  I would be hard pressed to figure out my favorite.  To find some of those great blogs, check out Best of the Civil War Blogs.

For a "trip" to a foreign country, read a blog.  You don't need to pack a suitcase or make travel arrangements!  I like the blogs Scotlands Genealogy and Scottish GENES.  Linda Elliott writes a great blog about genealogy, English genealogy in particular, at Mad About Genealogy.  Family Tree Tours brings us the blog, Heritage Travel.  There are photographs, links, videos and many research tips.  If you have European ancestry, be sure to click and read.

Some bloggers write to share family experiences, such as can be found at my sister-in-law's blog, Those Old Memories.  Others share research travels and experience.  One of my favorites is Reflections From the Fence, written by Carol Stevens.   Travel with Carol as she and her husband and dogs go searching for adventure and ancestors.  Learning skills are shared at Adventures in Genealogy Education written by Angela McGhie.

There is a lot to learn by reading blogs, such as the Library of Congress Blog.  Not every post contains information about genealogy, but they are interesting and you will a great deal about the library, history and yes ... genealogy.  The Allen County Public Library's blog, The Genealogy Center, brings news about the library, plus research information.

If I didn't mention your blog, it doesn't mean I don't read it and enjoy it.  Hey bloggers ... keep up the good work!

The Vietnam Wall

If you have ever been to the Vietnam Wall in Washington, DC, I am sure you share my feelings that it is awesome and sobering.  Even the traveling Vietnam Wall evokes the same feelings.  There are 58,195 names on the wall.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall page provides a way of searching for names on the wall, determining their exact location.  If you locate a person of interest, there may be more information, such as a photograph, biographical information and postings from friends and relatives.

The Virtual Wall has links to state and town/city information on those whose names is inscribed on the wall.

Take a virtual tour of the Vietnam Wall at View the Wall.  Let your computer explore the names and areas of the wall in your search for a relative or loved on.

They are lost but certainly not forgotten.  As I have seen my reflection in the Vietnam Wall, I am thankful for the sacrifices that these men and women gave so that we can all be here to enjoy our freedom.  May they rest in peace.

Midwest Family History Expo

Mark your calendars for the next Family History Expo, July 29-30, 2011 in Overland Park, Kansas.  More details are available at the Family History Expo web site.  You can save $25 by registering NOW online.

The Expo will begin with an inspiring message from Lisa Louise Cooke, the producer and host of the Genealogy Gems Podcast.  She will also be teaching.  Once you hear her keynote speech you will want to start learning new research methods.

M. Bridget Cook will be the featured speaker at the dinner on July 29th.  She is a best selling author and biographer.  Her book, Shattered Silence, has been featured on Oprah, Dr. Phil, Good Morning America and other national TV shows and in magazines.  She will also be teaching classes at the Expo.  All of these great speakers and classes can be found at the agenda on the Midwest Family History Expo web site.

There will be vendors and more vendors, including FamilySearch, AGES-online, RootsMagic, Geni.com and the Jackson County Genealogical Society.  Be sure you stop by the Ask The Pros table in the exhibit hall.  Who can't resist free genealogical advise? We don't even use a crystal ball!

Young and old alike (including those in the middle) will enjoy and benefit from the Family History Expo.  The theme this year is "Where Ol' Dogs Learn New Trick!"  Indeed they do, but we also teach puppies about old tricks they need to know.

This is the 2nd Annual Family History Expo in the Kansas City area.  It will be held at the Overland Park Conference Center, 6000 College Blvd., Overland Park, Kansas.

PS .... my new book Genealogical Research in Nebraska will be available at the Family Roots Publishing Co. vending booth.

Keeping Company with Cyndi

Have you noticed that Cyndi's List has a new look? The purple is still there to welcome us to her web site, but things have changed and I think for the better.

I begin my morning with an online preview of my bank activity as I don't want to become insolvent! Next are the newspapers that I read online and then social networking and blogs and weather. Time is then devoted to Cyndi's List. It doesn't take long to click on the "Browse New Links" button and see the new activity. On a daily basis this is updated, not only for new links, but for new data that is added.

If this is your first time to click on the new links, you can catch up by going to each day's entries. It may take time, but the results are worth the check. There are many other links and categories for searching on her web site, but just like taking morning pills, I won't miss a click on "Browse New Links."

Genealogy Summer

I am devoting this summer of 2011 to genealogy. That includes time spent with family as they are part of the genealogy. It will be fun!

In a few days I will be leaving for northwest Nebraska for a family get-together. From there my sister-in-law (we are the You Go Genealogy Girls) and I will leave for Salt Lake City. This is our third annual trip to spend time in the Family History Library. We are driving and will be there for two weeks.

On Thursday, June 16th, the Family History Expo will be here in North Platte, Nebraska. I will be one of the speakers. The next day we leave for Rapid City, South Dakota for a one-day Expo. The other circuit lecturers are going on to Sheridan, Wyoming from there. I will be coming back to North Platte, doing laundry and repacking to join them in Loveland, Colorado for the Colorado Family History Expo.

That takes care of June. On July 6th I will arrive in Alliance, Nebraska for the Civil War Conference on July 8th and 9th at the Knight Museum and Sandhills Center. I will be presenting three lectures.

The fun doesn't end there, so stay tuned to the Family History Expo web site for more details of what is happening in July and August. Maybe an Expo will be coming to your area. You won't want to miss the experience of attending one of them.

In August I will presenting a noon lecture about my new book, Genealogical Research in Nebraska. This will be at the North Platte Public Library on August 18th. Packed up and ready from there, I will journey to northwest Nebraska for my 50th Class Reunion. Yes, I admitted the years.

My wish list includes a trip to the east coast in September to visit family in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. Of course, I have already started on to-do lists for genealogical research.

While I'm in Salt Lake City, read about the trip and what I'm discovering at the You Go Genealogy Girls blog. If you are near one of my summer lecturing events, be sure to introduce yourself and say "hey."

Family History Expos Announces New Events for 2011

The spirit of family history is alive and well. Family History Expos rise to the challenge to reach out to more individuals seeking expert assistance by setting up more events in more cities, bringing education closer to home for both the curious and experienced family history seeker. There will be three events held prior to the 3rd Annual Colorado Family History Expo. The Expo will be in North Platte, Nebraska, Rapid City, South Dakota and Sheridan, Wyoming. Not your area? New events are lining up across the U.S., so stay tuned.

President and founder of Family History Expos, Inc., Holly T. Hansen, commented, "With rising fuel costs and other factors in our economy, we have taken the challenge to create more events closer to home for many of our customers and newsletter subscribers."

The circuit event will feature notable speakers, exhibits, a lite lunch/dinner and the opportunity to "Ask-the-Pros" a few personal research questions. Each event will culminate with a closing session and prize drawings for the attendees.

North Platte Expo - June 16th 4 pm to 9:30 pm

Holiday Inn Express

300 Holiday Frontage Rd.

North Platte, NE 69101

Rapid City Expo - June 18th 9 am to 5:00 pm

Rushmore Plaza Holiday Inn

505 North Fifth Street

Rapid City, SD 57701

Sheridan Expo - June 21st - 4 pm to 9:30 pm

Holiday Inn

1809 Sugarland Drive

Sheridan, WY 82801

Colorado Family History Expo - June 24th, 25th - 8 am to 6 pm

Embassy Suites, Loveland - Hotel, Spa & Convention Center

4705 Clydesdale Parkway

Loveland, CO 80538

Visit FamilyHistoryExpos.com for more information and to get in on early-bird registration. You can also contact them at:

Family History Expos, Inc.

PO Box 187

Morgan, UT 84050

801-829-3295

expos@fhexpos.com

See 'ya at an Expo!

Something About Blogs

Everybody has their favorite blogs that they faithfully read. If you are a reader of mine, thank you. As a writer of blogs, I am all too aware that it takes time and thought to prepare a blog. Writing comes easy for me. Even so, I find myself at the end of the day, with somewhat blurry eyes, mentally reminding myself that I didn't blog as planned. There is always tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.

Along the way, faithful readers loose interest or they move on to other new, fresh material in other blogs. Sometimes a blogger will post a few lines or a paragraph stating that life has interfered. They have illnesses, family problems, not enough time at the moment. In fact, maybe they have not received enough support.

Have you, the reader, thought to thank a blogger? Occasionally it pays off to say those two very important words, "thank you." Maybe you are not a writer, but you are a reader who has a voice. Let it be heard. You an also express your opinion. Don't be afraid to do it. The genealogy community awaits your response.

At the end of most blogs there is a place shown as Comments. Just click there and leave a message. As a blogger I look forward to receiving comments. Some are just words of praise and others are suggestions or differences of opinion. I welcome all of those because eventually they have an influence on how I blog, write and ultimately how I view my research.

Genealogy is not an isolated endeavor. Whether you are a hobbyist or a professional, contact has to be made with people. Eventually there is sharing, whether for pay, as a volunteer or family member. There are differences, but basically information or ideas are shared. Blogs are a sharing of ideas and thoughts. There are a wide variety of genealogy blogs on Internet, all needing readers and contributors of comments. Please feel free to comment!

I have my favorite blogs also. When there are days, weeks or months of silence I usually move on to something else to read. That doesn't mean the blog has ceased to exist or that you can't support the blogger. If there is a link to that person's e-mail on the blog, click on it and leave an e-mail saying that you miss the reading the blog.

Appreciate the blogs you read. Consider starting your own blog, for all the right reasons. Most importantly when you read a blog you like, leave a thank you that can be seen.