Through Fifty Years of Genealogy

What a wonderful walk 

down memory lane!

I am very fortunate to be both attending and presenting at the BYU Conference on Genealogy and Family History, which is celebrating 50 years on this campus.

BYU assembled a wonderful display of genealogy through the past 50 years.  Located near the Vendor Hall, it was frequently filled with people exclaiming, "Oh, I remember those!"

So, let me show you some of this wonderful display...

The Entrance

This old card catalog brought a flood of memories to my mind.  I have spent hours hunched over drawers, where the items I was looking for were usually on the bottom.

We were each given a card like the one above.

If we completed three activities, we were awarded a BYU brownie - the best in the world.

The above two cards are given to each patron. 

They outline the services that are available from BYU.

 Now, this is where I literally got a lump in my throat.  I used to spend hours and hours copying information from pedigree charts and family group sheets that my parents had painstakingly recorded.  Those copies would be sent to Salt Lake City, or given to relatives who may have asked for them.

 My dad was so excited when he could finally afford a wide-carriage typewriter!  He only typed with his two index fingers, but he was as fast as me!

 Kerry had to try his hand at the old standard typewriter.  When I helped my parents fill out their information, part of the pedigree chart had to be folded under.

 Paper!  We used lots and lots of paper!  Actually, I still do.  I miss those old Research Outlines that were sold for twenty-five cents at Family History Centers.  And, I still have them for ever state.

 Oh, the reference books.  I actually own every single one of the books on this chart.  Some of them were printed when my parents were first beginning their research in the late 1940's and early 1950's.

 I still have my overhead projector and my slides.  When I first began speaking back in the 1980's, I actually lugged it around with me, along with 3-ring notebooks filled with my overhead "slides" that were in sheet protectors.

I learned early on that they needed to be housed in a notebook in sheet protectors after dropping a stack of them.  They went sliding like they were on ice.

 Displays are often found on charts in living rooms as people proudly display their heritage.

 Oh, my aching right arm!  I, along with hundreds of thousands of other genealogists, can remember the cranking of the microfilm reels.  They even had readers for left-handed people.

When patrons in the Family History Center would ask for advice for their first visit to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, I told them to bring along a bottle of Tylenol for their back and arms and shoulders.

Before the advent of Family History Centers, all microfilm had to be viewed in Salt Lake City.  None could be sent anywhere.

 With the advent of computers, processing became faster.  I used to own a computer similar to the one above.

Just look at that screen!

 Studies have shown that children do better in life when the feel a connection with their past.  I have never seen such a time when so many children have been involved!

I was raised going to cemeteries and courthouses, and I'm grateful to see the younger generation getting on board.

 Family history now takes center stage in people's homes.  Or rather, it can take center stage.  There are many tools and apps available at our fingertips to sharpen our knowledge and skills.

The home base for genealogy and family history is now our own home.  The days for travel to the actual place where our ancestors lived have lessened.  Research and processing and recording can be done in a quiet corner of our home as we recall the stories associated with our ancestors.

This display was such a delight to walk through.  It brought back memories and "aha" moments as I realized I have used every one of these tools to get to where we are today.

What about you?

Do these spur some memories in your life?

The Best RootsTech Week Ever!

I am home from a whirlwind week at RootsTech.

And, I might add that I thought it was the best one ever!

I arose at 3:30 am EST to make the drive to Columbus, Ohio to catch my flight.

I landed at 11:00 am MST, and my feet hit the ground running.

Pat Richley-Erickson asked if anyone would like to meet up at the Blue Lemon for lunch at 1:00, 

so I joined a whole bunch of genea-friends in a "getting reacquainted" lunch.

Need I say it was wonderful?

Afterward, I needed to get myself grounded.

I went to Deseret Book, and spent the rest of the day at the Family History Library.

It was humming, but not to the point of being overwhelmingly busy.

I just kept watching this missionary with a pointer.

What a great idea to keep from reaching over someone all the time.

I ran into friends Randy Seaver, Kim and Denise Levenick, all from California.

I couldn't believe I left my flash drive at home, 

but the vending machines saved the day!

I went back to the hotel and rested up for what would be a busy few days.

I had planned to attend the Innovator's Summit,

but, opted to go on a tour of the Provo City Center Temple instead.

I have watched the reconstruction of this burned out tabernacle into a

Temple of God.

Words cannot begin to describe its beauty.

I eventually made it to the Innovator's Summit, but missed out on every class, due to being swarmed by people I hadn't seen in ages.

It was just glorious to meet up with them.

I eventually made it back to the hotel to rest up.

The evening was filled with a Media Dinner, where we were cued in on the number of participants and youth attending on Family Discovery Day.

Then, a wonderful treat for all of us!

Paula Madison, a former executive with NBC, told of her story unfolding as she searched for her grandfather, Samuel Lowe.

The search went from Harlem to Jamaica to China.

We then saw a private viewing of the documentary based on the story.

She would also be one of the keynote speakers the next morning.

Ambassadors and Bloggers had an invitation to tour the Expo Hall at 7:30 am,

so I dressed quickly and made it there in plenty of time.

Again, I met up with people I may only see once a year.

Paul Nauta did a wonderful job taking us quickly through the Hall

before taking us through a private area that led us out to our seats.

The excitement kept building and building.

Over 25,000 were registered.

It was wonderful!!!

Here are some photos of the entire week.

I won't go into detail on all of them, for many were posted on my FB page during the week.

Amy Johnson Crow, True A. Lewis, Bernice Bennett.

Crista Cowan giving an Ancestry presentation.

Audrey Collins and her monkey shoes.

This is just before I gave my recorded session, which was streamed the next day.

FamilySearch friends Michael Benson, John de Jong.

Jan Gow of New Zeland, Pat Richley-Erickson.

Peggy inn front of the Family History Library.

Group shot with Doris Kearns Goodwin.

Bruce Feiler, of "Walking the Bible" series.

Ruby Baird is 14 years old, and is the youngest Ambassador.

This was her fourth year attending.

The chart printing booth was busy the entire time.

Scot and Maurine Proctor, two of my favorite people.

RootsTech swag.

Stan came riding in on his Harley Davidson.

Sheri Dew and Wendy Nelson

I am a FamilySearch Wiki Missionary, and this was our meeting.

It was good to put names and faces together.

RootsTech is an event I look forward to every year.

It was the first year I have attended alone.

There aren't many others in my family actively involved in tracing their family history, 

and sometimes I can see their eyes glaze over when I mention it.

RootsTech gives me an opportunity to recharge and be with people who are genuinely interested in family history, and get excited about it.

Over 4000 youth attended this year, and there was a visible sense of energy with them being there.

Last year, there seem to be a bit more rowdiness.

This year, I detected none.

Where else could you get that many youth to give up a Saturday morning to come and listen in on classes about genealogy!?

I am not back in Ohio, and have been in recuperation mode ever since.

But, I am going to do what I counsel others to do after they re

urn from a conference:

1.  Don't put notes and flyers on a shelf, only to rediscover them a year later.

2.  Put some of the new things into practice - right now!

3.  Review some of the streamed sessions.

4.  Save up for next year!

A Perfect Combination

Right in the middle of winter, when we all have the dreary doldrums, a dazzling marriage of two conferences is taking place.

We can't help but win!

The Federation of Genealogical Societies and RootsTech have combined forces to hold the largest conference yet.  And, I will be there!

I am already prepared to both attend this conference, and be one of the speakers.  The FGS conferences have always been worthwhile to attend, and this one will be no different.  My attendance at a previous RootsTech conference left me longing to increase my technology skills even more.

I can't wait!  Though there will be thousands of attendees, I expect no problem in finding fellow bloggers, Facebook friends, and genealogy colleagues.  We just always seem to be in the right place at the right time.

Having been to the Salt Palace for a previous RootsTech conference, I know:

•  This is a large venue that will require the most comfortable shoes I own.  We are staying just a stone's throw away at the Marriot, and it doesn't sound far.  BUT, this is Salt Lake City, and the streets are wide and the blocks are long.  Brigham Young said the streets must be designed to be able to turn a wagon pulled by four horses around.  I only have two legs, so I must accomodate.
•  I must bring the right glasses.  All of them.  I will need my trifocals, my readers, and sunglasses. Bright sun on snow reflects into my eyes, rendering me useless.
• I must learn to condense.  A cross-body bag forces me to weed out what I don't need to lug around.  My hands are free to look over products in the Exhibit Hall.  My arms will be free for plenty of hugging.
• I look forward to all of the address labels that will be arriving for the holidays.  They are great for filling in entry slips in the Exhibit Hall.
• Business cards are a must!  It's even better when you remember to bring them.
• I get hot.  I get cold.  Therefore, I love clothing that doesn't wrinkle.  I have a light jacket I just bought that can easily be wadded up and put into that cross-body bag.
• I take pictures.  I use a camera, a real one.  I just don't like to fill up my phone.
• My Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 goes with me, too.  I love being able to take notes on Evernote.  That is just one of the most wonderful techy-things ever!  
• The Family History Library is across the street!!!!!!

I love attending conferences.  And, I love the networking and the camaraderie that happens when meeting friends that I have only known "virtually".  But, even more important to me, I am there to learn.

Yes, I am there to speak.  But, I am also there to learn.  I have been involved in family history all of my life.  I have spoken to thousands of people in hundreds of venues.

But, I need to learn.

Prepare to attend this combined conference, either in person or through live-streaming.  You will learn things that you didn't know that you didn't know.

That, I know.

https://www.fgsconference.org/assets/files/TwoConferencesOneLocation.pdf 

Combing Research Trips With the Living and the Dead!

One of the toughest things about genealogy research is combing the living and the dead.

Let me clarify!

First of all, I love my living family.  They have helped me become who I am today, both through tears and frustration!!  They are near to me.  They are dear to me.

Second, I love my ancestors, and those that have passed on that are really not that far back in my genealogy.  I love the detective work that goes along with piecing their lives together.

I do not like combining the two. 

While raising a young family, I found it difficult to spread out my research on my dining room table when I knew I might be called away to pick up a child, bring something out of the oven, answer a phone call, etc.  I was never quite sure what I would find when I returned, for the dining room is the hub of our home.  I didn't have a genealogy room that I could simply close the door on.

When we would take a trip, my husband would try to find some time for me to dash into a library while he held the kids at bay in the children's section, or entertain them while I labored in a cemetery.

He never once complained, for we are both library people.  But, we didn't have the chance to spend hours, like we would both love!

Then comes Salt Lake City.

 Mr. Kerry's family was centered in Utah, so we would go there quite often.  Many of my genealogy friends would give me envious glances when they heard I was off to Utah again.  But, most of these trips involved activities with the living - weddings, reunions, funerals, etc.  I cherish those times, but there was never, ever a time for research in the genealogy mecca known as the Family History Library.

Once, when in Utah for a wedding, we stayed in the hotel adjacent to the FHL.  For two days, I longlingly looked out our window as we dressed to go to dinners, rehearsals and then, the wedding.  When the events were over, we arrived back at the hotel when the library only had twenty minutes before closing.  I dashed through the doors, found what I needed, printed it off and had five minutes to spare.

My dream is to go to Salt Lake and learn and research and come away filled with knowledge, sources, and lots of avenues I have not yet pursued.  The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy beckons me, and I want to come!  http://www.slig.ugagenealogy.org/

I can dream, can't I?