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#52Ancestors – Favorite Photo and Most Dreaded Photo

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – 2018 Edition Challenge – Post 2

To blog more consistently in 2018, I am undertaking the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge again. The #52Ancestors Challenge is where a group of us blog about our ancestors, collateral relatives, discoveries, etc., for each week of the year.  To learn more about the challenge or if you are interesting in joining, visit Amy Johnson Crow’s site at Amy’s website.

Favorite Photo

Author as a young toddler

Oh my! Doesn’t this little tyke exude confidence.  I love her happy expression. She does not shy away from the camera.

As I grew older, I preferred to be behind the camera so I would not get my picture taken.  Why was she happy, who is taking the photo? One of my parents probably took the photo.

The photo is of me as a toddler taken at one of the many camping trips my family took in the 60’s.  Decades later, nature or nurture of those early camping trips, has played a role that my retirement plan includes getting an RV to travel the United States and Canada.

 

 

Most Dreaded Photo

The photos must go!

Why do I dread this photo? It’s a tote filled with the physical photos in my possession, thousands of photos. This 40 pound, 62-quart tote is an albatross around my neck. I have no desire to preserve them.  I do not have the interest, energy and the time to scan, label, and disseminate to whoever will take the photos. What! But, you are a genealogist, the family historian. Yes, and I have lost interest in being the Keeper of Photos. 

The photos have to go! There is no room in the future motor home. I will scan, label, and find a home for the old black and white photos with family members. Photos showing pastoral scenes go to the trash heap. Photos of my trips to Europe, Australia and New Zealand, trash. Google Earth ™ displays a much better image then the photo I originally took anyways. The rest of the photos will be categorized by family grouping. Then sent to some niece or nephew who may be so inclined to save for posterity.

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Too many interests – Not enough time

There is no excuse in not keeping up this blog. I have one competing interest with genealogy that I allow to consume my free time. Dreaming about RV’s. Getting an RV.  Looking at RV’s for sale. Building my own RV. I spend more nights reading RV blogs and viewing YouTube videos. I still have a few years of working if I want a modest retirement. However, the lure of getting an RV and being a professional genealogist on the road is very tempting. When I am not obsessing over RV’s, I am expanding my genealogy skills.

Continuing Genealogy Education

This year (2017) I attended three genealogical institutes and one seminar. Future plans include a Certification Discussion group in the fall. My goal is to be a certified genealogist.

  • Writing and Publishing for Genealogists with Dr. Thomas W. Jones, CG – July 2017 (Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research – IGHR)
  • Practical Genetic Genealogy with Blaine Bettinger, CG – July 2017 (Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh)
  • Tacoma-Pierce County Genealogical Society’s Spring Seminar featuring “The Legal Genealogist”, Judy G. Russell.
  • You be the Judge: A Practicum Using Standards to Evaluate Genealogical Work, Jeanne Larzalere Bloom, CG – January 2017 (Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy – Salt Lake City)

In 2016, I completed the 19-month ProGen Study course. Plus attended “Confusion to Conclusion” with Harold Henderson and Kimberly Powell – July 2016, at the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh.

While in Pittsburgh last year, I wanted to explore the neighborhood my great-grand parents lived. My next post will have my write-up and photos I took of my visit.

Caroll

 

 

 

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Genealogy Do-Over Week One

The Genealogy Do-Over project this past week included decluttering my old 1970’s Samsonite briefcase of my old family group sheets and notes jotted down over the years.  Since the one of the goals of the project is not to “Squirrel” I tried to keep it just to the Borucki and Budny binder.  I did hit a few of the other binders just to get rid of useless paper.

1970's Template for Family Group Sheets

1970’s Template for Family Group Sheets

The hard cover briefcase has been bulging for some time now, even after a previous purge.  In my review, I found the original newspaper clipping mentioned in #52Ancestors – No. 40 – Harry Trevelyan Saves Winston Churchill in 1899 post.  I spend three hours at the Dearborn Public Library looking a copy of the article on microfilm in July 2014.  What a time waster that was.  I also found Harry’s collection of 1937 Coronation Stamps that my father didn’t sell during his trade show days.

George VI Coronation Stamp of Tower Bridge 1937

George VI Coronation Stamp of Tower Bridge 1937

Because I tend to concentrate on making a perfect template then abandoning it the template due to boredom and dis-interest.  I decided to train myself on using Family Tree Maker 2014 effectively.  I don’t want several different Excel spreadsheets that I have to create and maintain. Most genealogists are raving about Evernote. I have OneNote on my computer that I can use instead.

YouTube is the best tool for most training needs.  I used it to find training programs when I was a trainer in a previous job.  So while getting my 45 minute cardio exercise at the gym this week, I viewed videos to pass the time away. There are a number of individuals that have uploaded Family Tree Maker (FTM) how-to videos.  Ancestry owns FTM and has their own how-to training videos.

Here is a brief list of channels I have been watching.  There are plenty more channels that you can find to assist you in your training needs or learning style.

Cousin Russ
Dear Myrtle
Ancestry’s Crista Cowen

My next goal is to clean up computer files by labeling and organizing documents and photos.  I need to get ready to build my research plan for week two.

 

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New Year – TYG’s New Goals and Do-Overs

2015 Resolutions

This is the year that I make one branch of my family tree public.  My tree is kept private on Ancestry for a number of reasons.  Mainly it needs a clean-up from a merge that didn’t go well a couple of years ago that created duplicate empty records.  I also need to update the source citations to meet Genealogy Proof Standards (GPS).

Public Family Tree

My goal by end March 31, 2015 (measurable goal); is to make the Borucki and Budny lines public here on TYG and Ancestry (specific goal).

Do help me with this goal, I am joining Geneabloggers Do-Over.  It is a personal educational learning initiative that a group of us are doing to improve our research skills.  Why, it is about taking a fresh look at your old research, breaking bad habits, creating and using effective planning tools.

Blogging Frequently

The 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge continues in 2015.  This challenge is about blogging or writing consistently.  Check out Amy Johnson Crow’s blog,  No Story Too Small.   There is a new format this year to keep the writers and readers interest.  I will continue to post 52Ancestors on Sunday’s.

Continuing Genealogical Education

The two to three year plan is to become a board certified genealogist.  In the meantime, I am working on short term goals. Here is the short list for this year.

Virtual Professional Management Conference 2015
Participate in Pro-Gen Study Group this Spring 2015
Regional Genealogical Society ConferencesOnline and virtual training

Paying it Forward

I have also been visiting my local genealogy and family history center offering advice on researching.  I find this part to be the most fun. Helping people get started on their journey of who they think they may be.

May your 2015 be a year of opportunity and prosperity.

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