Did you already sign up for the free (I SAID FREE) class from the National Institute for Genealogical Studies ?
Louise St. Denis was so gracious in offering my readers this wonderful opportunity, this is a beginning class in Methodology. Normally this class would cost you $89 but she has made it available to you for FREE.
It starts next Monday. March 14, 2011.
So contact them this week and get signed up for this class.
If you have any trouble getting signed up or if you have questions that the website can't answer call 1-800-580-0165.
See you in class (virtually of course.)
Monday, March 7, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Family Traditions
My Aunt Lena was a pistol. She was a little sprite of a person. She looked like a little elf. She was about 4 feet 10 inches tall (that's a guess) and she weighed about 90 pounds dripping wet. She used to always tell me she was fat.
When Lena met me she was not very friendly. It took about a year for her to warm up to me, and accept me into the family. Her sister Lil told me it was because Lena was mad at my mother for not telling her about her secret (me).
From 2003 until 2008 I received an almost weekly newsletter from Lena. She would send them out to the whole family. I kept 147 of them. She would tell wonderful stories in them from when she was young and newly married. Or she would reminisce about being a child in Southwest Louisiana. She would always end the newsletter with a Cajun joke.
Today I read my cousin Peggy's blog for the first time. Peggy is Lena's daughter. Peggy's blog is about her embroidery business Cajun Stitchery. In it she tells about her life in Florida, her garden, her work, and right now she talks a lot about her Krewe and Mardi Gras. At the end of her blog I found a Cajun joke. Just like her mother used to include in her newsletters. I think that's neat. It brought back so many memories. Just this one little tradition being carried forth.
It got me thinking about other family traditions. My family had all the usual traditions, like cooking a turkey at Thanksgiving and putting up a Christmas tree. We did not have too many traditions that were special just to our family. The only one I can think of right now was that my mother always had a oil portrait made of the children (my sister and myself and then the grandchildren) when they were two years old and again when they turned 21.
My dad and I did start another one when I turned 21. Every year at Christmas time he and I would pick a date to go shopping for my mother together. We would end the evening by going out to dinner and having a drink together. It was a very special time with my dad.
My husband's family have a tradition at Christmas time. It has gone on as long as my husband can remember. Every Christmas Eve his family gathers for Oyster Stew.
My husband and I have quite a few traditions we do. For example each year at Christmas we buy a "special" ornament; and every year (for the last 13 years) we go to Mardi Gras.
How about you? Do you have any special traditions? I know this is not a unique question but I want to know the non-holiday ones. Traditions like my cousin Peggy's Cajun jokes.
I'll leave you today with one of the Cajun jokes my cousin had on her blog:
When Lena met me she was not very friendly. It took about a year for her to warm up to me, and accept me into the family. Her sister Lil told me it was because Lena was mad at my mother for not telling her about her secret (me).
From 2003 until 2008 I received an almost weekly newsletter from Lena. She would send them out to the whole family. I kept 147 of them. She would tell wonderful stories in them from when she was young and newly married. Or she would reminisce about being a child in Southwest Louisiana. She would always end the newsletter with a Cajun joke.
Today I read my cousin Peggy's blog for the first time. Peggy is Lena's daughter. Peggy's blog is about her embroidery business Cajun Stitchery. In it she tells about her life in Florida, her garden, her work, and right now she talks a lot about her Krewe and Mardi Gras. At the end of her blog I found a Cajun joke. Just like her mother used to include in her newsletters. I think that's neat. It brought back so many memories. Just this one little tradition being carried forth.
It got me thinking about other family traditions. My family had all the usual traditions, like cooking a turkey at Thanksgiving and putting up a Christmas tree. We did not have too many traditions that were special just to our family. The only one I can think of right now was that my mother always had a oil portrait made of the children (my sister and myself and then the grandchildren) when they were two years old and again when they turned 21.
My dad and I did start another one when I turned 21. Every year at Christmas time he and I would pick a date to go shopping for my mother together. We would end the evening by going out to dinner and having a drink together. It was a very special time with my dad.
My husband's family have a tradition at Christmas time. It has gone on as long as my husband can remember. Every Christmas Eve his family gathers for Oyster Stew.
My husband and I have quite a few traditions we do. For example each year at Christmas we buy a "special" ornament; and every year (for the last 13 years) we go to Mardi Gras.
How about you? Do you have any special traditions? I know this is not a unique question but I want to know the non-holiday ones. Traditions like my cousin Peggy's Cajun jokes.
I'll leave you today with one of the Cajun jokes my cousin had on her blog:
Louisiana Declares War on the USA . ONLY IN LOUISIANA !!!!!!!
President Barack Obama was in the Oval Office when his telephone rang.
"Hello, Mr.President Obama," in a heavily accented Cajun voice said.
"Dis' is Boudreaux, down here at Slim's in Kinder, I am callin' to tell
y'all that we declaring war on ya!"
"Well Boudreaux," Barack replied, "This is indeed important news! How
big is your army?"
"Right now," said Boud, "dere's myself, my brother-in-law Thib, my
next-door-neighbor Bubba, and a few other gator huntn' buddies. Dat
makes eight!"
Barack paused. "I must tell you Boudreaux that I have one million men
in my army waiting to move on my command."
"Wow," said Boudreaux. " call ya back!"
Sure enough, the next day, Boud called again.
"Mr Obama, de war is on! We got us some infantry equipment!"
President Barack Obama was in the Oval Office when his telephone rang.
"Hello, Mr.President Obama," in a heavily accented Cajun voice said.
"Dis' is Boudreaux, down here at Slim's in Kinder, I am callin' to tell
y'all that we declaring war on ya!"
"Well Boudreaux," Barack replied, "This is indeed important news! How
big is your army?"
"Right now," said Boud, "dere's myself, my brother-in-law Thib, my
next-door-neighbor Bubba, and a few other gator huntn' buddies. Dat
makes eight!"
Barack paused. "I must tell you Boudreaux that I have one million men
in my army waiting to move on my command."
"Wow," said Boudreaux. " call ya back!"
Sure enough, the next day, Boud called again.
"Mr Obama, de war is on! We got us some infantry equipment!"
"And what equipment would that be Boudreaux?" Barack asked.
"We got us two combines, couple of 4 wheelers, a piroque, and Thib's
John Deere.
President Obama sighed. "I must tell you Boudreaux, that I have 16,000
tanks and 14,000 armored personnel carriers. Also I've increased my army
to one and a half million since we last spoke."
"We got us two combines, couple of 4 wheelers, a piroque, and Thib's
John Deere.
President Obama sighed. "I must tell you Boudreaux, that I have 16,000
tanks and 14,000 armored personnel carriers. Also I've increased my army
to one and a half million since we last spoke."
"Lord above", said Boud, "be getting back to ya."
Sure enough, Boudreaux rang again the next day.
"President Obama, de war is still on! We got ourselves airborne! Bubba fixed
his ultra-lite wit couple of shotguns in de cockpit, and four vets from the
VFW signed up!"
Barack was silent for a minute then cleared his throat. "I must tell
you Boudreaux that I have 10,000 bombers and 20,000 fighter planes. My
military complex is surrounded by laser-guided, surface-to-air missile sites. And since we last spoke, I've increased my army to TWO MILLION!"
"Oh Lord," said Boud, "Call you back."
Sure enough, Boudreaux called again the next day.
"President Obama, de war is still on! We got ourselves airborne! Bubba fixed
his ultra-lite wit couple of shotguns in de cockpit, and four vets from the
VFW signed up!"
Barack was silent for a minute then cleared his throat. "I must tell
you Boudreaux that I have 10,000 bombers and 20,000 fighter planes. My
military complex is surrounded by laser-guided, surface-to-air missile sites. And since we last spoke, I've increased my army to TWO MILLION!"
"Oh Lord," said Boud, "Call you back."
Sure enough, Boudreaux called again the next day.
"President Obama, sorry to tell you dat we have called off de war."
"I'm sorry to hear that" said Barack. "Why the sudden change of heart?"
Well, sir," said Boudreaux, "we all sat down and had a long chat over a
few beers, and come to think that there's just no way our wives can make
enough gumbo to feed two million prisoners.."
LOUISIANA CONFIDENCE CANNOT BE SHAKEN!!
Well, sir," said Boudreaux, "we all sat down and had a long chat over a
few beers, and come to think that there's just no way our wives can make
enough gumbo to feed two million prisoners.."
LOUISIANA CONFIDENCE CANNOT BE SHAKEN!!
Happy Mardi Gras Y'all
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Families and Photos
Tim Winterbottom is an artist. His work is modern and abstract. I like my art real. Or maybe impressionist. I like Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, O'Keefe and Rembrandt. But I think my cousin has some very interesting pieces and one day I hope to see them up close and personal. So far all I've seen are some pictures of his art. But pictures are great.
Pictures are one of the things I'm going to talk about today. At least in part.
RL and his girls brought out a lot of family pictures. I saw pictures of RL's kids growing up. I saw pictures of my mother and her siblings when they were younger. And Tim brought over a ton of photos too. I am going to scan all of them and show a bunch of them to you. (As soon as I learn how to work my new scanner and how to download the photos into this blog...but that's another day. I tried today, without the aid of "Techie Tutor Tami" and I think I messed up my phone...see what happens when they leave me to my own devices.)
I got to see a drawn picture (as opposed to a photograph) of a cousin named Jacques Theaux. This cousin has a tragic tale. I actually found his story last month in a newspaper that I found in Genealogy Bank.com (A wonderful resource for newpapers http://genealogybank.com/) Jacques was in World War II and was reported missing. After being held prisoner for two years by the Germans he was liberated by the Russians. He was eventually sent to Vienna where he ended up taking his own life.
Looking at his picture made this man real. Uncle RL told me repeatedly how smart Jacques was. He spoke several languages and worked in "Intellegence."
The story of Jacques really drove home the importance of gathering not just names and dates but the stories of the people we learn about. Jacques is so much more than a name and date.
With that in mind I would like to shamlessly plug my friend Tami's blog Finding Family Stories. http://findingfamilystories.blogspot.com/2011/03/just-facts.html
Tami talks about just this very thing.
Meanwhile, back to pictures. One thing I have always wanted to find was a picture of my Grandmother and Grandfather (Mama and Papa Theaux) when they were younger. Something like a wedding photo. The only photo I have of them (and the one everyone comes up with when I ask if they have a photo of them) is one taken of them in their golden years. But this week Tim and RL came up with a photo of them when they were in their 30's or 40's. What a treasure.
Another treasure is my cousin Eric. Eric is an avid genealogist and is Tim's half brother. He has been working on our line for many years. He lost a lot of his research in Katrina, but he has put most of it back together again and shared a huge amount of information today. We spent the entire afternoon talking genealogy and walking through the graveyard in St. Martinville, Louisiana. I took many photos of family graves and felt the "graveyard frenzy fever" come over me. I decided to search for my Grandmother Romero's grave in New Iberia. (New Iberia is about 12 miles from St. Martinville.) I couldn't stop myself...I had to find that grave.
So off I went to New Iberia. My GPS (what a wonderful techie tool) took me to where it thought the graveyard should be; nope...it was someone's home. I wasn't sure I had the right graveyard in the first place. (Not very prepared...I know) You see, I don't know when she died or where she is buried. I can't find the records. But I know it was in New Iberia. And New Iberia is small. There is not that many graveyards. If I have to I'll search them all. Trouble is...many of the old graves are no longer marked. The marble has been stolen or broken away. So I gave up for today. I think the fever has passed. My bout with the graveyard frenzies has finally subsided. Once my head cleared I decided to try and approach this in a smarter way. So back to the drawing board. I will write to the church in New Iberia and see if they have a record of her death or where she might be buried.
I'm going to take a little time off from genealogy work...I have to the state of Louisiana is about to close down or maybe it's fire up ...it's Mardi Gras...Laissez les bon temps rouler (Let the good times roll you'all.)
Pictures are one of the things I'm going to talk about today. At least in part.
RL and his girls brought out a lot of family pictures. I saw pictures of RL's kids growing up. I saw pictures of my mother and her siblings when they were younger. And Tim brought over a ton of photos too. I am going to scan all of them and show a bunch of them to you. (As soon as I learn how to work my new scanner and how to download the photos into this blog...but that's another day. I tried today, without the aid of "Techie Tutor Tami" and I think I messed up my phone...see what happens when they leave me to my own devices.)
I got to see a drawn picture (as opposed to a photograph) of a cousin named Jacques Theaux. This cousin has a tragic tale. I actually found his story last month in a newspaper that I found in Genealogy Bank.com (A wonderful resource for newpapers http://genealogybank.com/) Jacques was in World War II and was reported missing. After being held prisoner for two years by the Germans he was liberated by the Russians. He was eventually sent to Vienna where he ended up taking his own life.
Looking at his picture made this man real. Uncle RL told me repeatedly how smart Jacques was. He spoke several languages and worked in "Intellegence."
The story of Jacques really drove home the importance of gathering not just names and dates but the stories of the people we learn about. Jacques is so much more than a name and date.
With that in mind I would like to shamlessly plug my friend Tami's blog Finding Family Stories. http://findingfamilystories.blogspot.com/2011/03/just-facts.html
Tami talks about just this very thing.
Meanwhile, back to pictures. One thing I have always wanted to find was a picture of my Grandmother and Grandfather (Mama and Papa Theaux) when they were younger. Something like a wedding photo. The only photo I have of them (and the one everyone comes up with when I ask if they have a photo of them) is one taken of them in their golden years. But this week Tim and RL came up with a photo of them when they were in their 30's or 40's. What a treasure.
Another treasure is my cousin Eric. Eric is an avid genealogist and is Tim's half brother. He has been working on our line for many years. He lost a lot of his research in Katrina, but he has put most of it back together again and shared a huge amount of information today. We spent the entire afternoon talking genealogy and walking through the graveyard in St. Martinville, Louisiana. I took many photos of family graves and felt the "graveyard frenzy fever" come over me. I decided to search for my Grandmother Romero's grave in New Iberia. (New Iberia is about 12 miles from St. Martinville.) I couldn't stop myself...I had to find that grave.
So off I went to New Iberia. My GPS (what a wonderful techie tool) took me to where it thought the graveyard should be; nope...it was someone's home. I wasn't sure I had the right graveyard in the first place. (Not very prepared...I know) You see, I don't know when she died or where she is buried. I can't find the records. But I know it was in New Iberia. And New Iberia is small. There is not that many graveyards. If I have to I'll search them all. Trouble is...many of the old graves are no longer marked. The marble has been stolen or broken away. So I gave up for today. I think the fever has passed. My bout with the graveyard frenzies has finally subsided. Once my head cleared I decided to try and approach this in a smarter way. So back to the drawing board. I will write to the church in New Iberia and see if they have a record of her death or where she might be buried.
I'm going to take a little time off from genealogy work...I have to the state of Louisiana is about to close down or maybe it's fire up ...it's Mardi Gras...Laissez les bon temps rouler (Let the good times roll you'all.)
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
New Family
I arrived in Lake Charles, Louisiana on Monday afternoon. First thing I did was head to the library. I spent a couple of hours at the Southwest Louisiana Genealogical Library. I had a late lunch with one of the librarians, Armajean (sure hope I spelled that right.) She and I met (along with one of the other librarians from SW LA Genealogical Library, Linda) during the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) at Samford University in Alabama years ago.
I had not seen Armajean or Linda in many moons, but like peas in a pod, we picked up right where we left off. After lunch I went back to the library and started to work on my research, however, I could not resist the temptation when a "newbie" and I started talking; I went into teacher mode. I couldn't help it. My husband says I need to learn to take that hat off when I have work that needs doing. (oops...I think I said that with a southern accent) He was there doing research with his "Mama" and she had some wonderful stories to tell. (Hi, Kenneth and Mama) Armajean and I were able to find their family in the 1910 census and point them in the direction of "Mama's" grandmother's death records. They were thrilled. I love seeing the way people get all excited with a new discovery, or when they catch the "genealogy bug."
That evening I drove to Sulphur, Louisiana and met my Uncle R. L. (Robert Laurent) for the first time. R. L. is in his 80s and sharp as a tack. He greeted me with a big hug and ushered me into his home. Inside were two of his daughters (Camille and Beth) and his wife Helen. Such a welcome! The girls and I gathered with R. L. around the kitchen table and I told them my story. (R. L. is the brother of my birth mother) Then they started to catch me up on their lives. About an hour into our visit we were joined by another daughter, Andree. (There are five siblings...three girls and two boys)
The five of us set there telling stories, laughing, and sharing pictures till after ten p.m. Then the girls left. R. L. and I set up till midnight getting to know each other. I am so sorry I did not know this wonderful man and his family my whole life. I have a lot of catching up to do.
In true Cajun style, my uncle told me I was staying at their home and showed me to my room.
The next morning, I went downstairs and found a note from R. L., he and Helen had gone to a doctor's appointment and I was to make myself at home. My uncle had included the line, "If you get bored, call Tim Winterbottom." He had included the phone number. I had no idea who Tim was but I figured if my uncle thought I should call him then...
Tim, it turns out, is my cousin. Now let's see if I have this straight...his grandfather and my grandfather were brothers. I think that's how it works, but I will find out more tomorrow...and so will you.
I had not seen Armajean or Linda in many moons, but like peas in a pod, we picked up right where we left off. After lunch I went back to the library and started to work on my research, however, I could not resist the temptation when a "newbie" and I started talking; I went into teacher mode. I couldn't help it. My husband says I need to learn to take that hat off when I have work that needs doing. (oops...I think I said that with a southern accent) He was there doing research with his "Mama" and she had some wonderful stories to tell. (Hi, Kenneth and Mama) Armajean and I were able to find their family in the 1910 census and point them in the direction of "Mama's" grandmother's death records. They were thrilled. I love seeing the way people get all excited with a new discovery, or when they catch the "genealogy bug."
That evening I drove to Sulphur, Louisiana and met my Uncle R. L. (Robert Laurent) for the first time. R. L. is in his 80s and sharp as a tack. He greeted me with a big hug and ushered me into his home. Inside were two of his daughters (Camille and Beth) and his wife Helen. Such a welcome! The girls and I gathered with R. L. around the kitchen table and I told them my story. (R. L. is the brother of my birth mother) Then they started to catch me up on their lives. About an hour into our visit we were joined by another daughter, Andree. (There are five siblings...three girls and two boys)
The five of us set there telling stories, laughing, and sharing pictures till after ten p.m. Then the girls left. R. L. and I set up till midnight getting to know each other. I am so sorry I did not know this wonderful man and his family my whole life. I have a lot of catching up to do.
In true Cajun style, my uncle told me I was staying at their home and showed me to my room.
The next morning, I went downstairs and found a note from R. L., he and Helen had gone to a doctor's appointment and I was to make myself at home. My uncle had included the line, "If you get bored, call Tim Winterbottom." He had included the phone number. I had no idea who Tim was but I figured if my uncle thought I should call him then...
Tim, it turns out, is my cousin. Now let's see if I have this straight...his grandfather and my grandfather were brothers. I think that's how it works, but I will find out more tomorrow...and so will you.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
I Love Podcasts
I've been driving for four days.
I started out in Sacramento, California and I'm now in Sulphur, Louisiana. I don't think I would have made it across New Mexico or Texas without Lisa Louise Cooke or The Genealogy Guys.
Before my trip I downloaded several of the Genealogy Gems Podcasts, and several of the Genealogy Guys Podcasts. I really love both of these shows. They are very different from each other and I learn a lot from them both.
I started listening to podcasts on a trip to Utah. I used to listen to lecture tapes. (For those new to genealogy conferences, they used to sell tape recordings of the lectures, now the lectures are on CD.) I don't tend to listen to the conference CDs on a trip because my CD changer is in the trunk of my car, and I can't change them out very easily on a long trip. Podcasts to the rescue.
I have a little iPod and I can load about 30 podcasts on it. That's more than enough to get me across the Salt Flats. For this longer trip I just downloaded more from iTunes (using my computer) while I stopped for the night in Gallup, New Mexico. (I can hear my son groaning and making a mental note,"Get mom a new iPod for Christmas.")
The only problems were, that while listening to the podcasts I would get such great ideas and I wanted to remember them; or, Lisa, Drew or George would give me a great tip and I ached to write it down. Not a great idea when your driving down a freeway at more than 60 miles per hour (I'm not saying how much more than 60mph.)
That's when I had a technology break through. (See the little light bulb above my head?)
I now cart my little digital voice recorder in my purse and when George, Lisa or Drew hit me with one of their great tips, or a wonderful web site, I pull out my little digital marvel and record it. Then when I get to wherever I land that night I listen back and note down what I want to keep; or go to the web site they mentioned. (I know some of you are saying..."well, duh!" But remember, I'm technologically challenged.")
But, I'm catching up.
I'm catching up on the podcasts too. (It is amazing how many you can listen to while crossing the desert.)
If you haven't discovered podcasts yet...what are you waiting for? Consider this your "engraved invitation." Lisa Louise Cooke produces the Genealogy Gems Podcast (at http://genealogygems.tv/) and Drew Smith and George Morgan produce the Genealogy Guys Podcast
(at http://genealogyguys.com/.) Both shows are also accessible by doing a Google search on their podcast names. They're FREE. However, the content is priceless.
I wouldn't go across the desert without them.
I started out in Sacramento, California and I'm now in Sulphur, Louisiana. I don't think I would have made it across New Mexico or Texas without Lisa Louise Cooke or The Genealogy Guys.
Before my trip I downloaded several of the Genealogy Gems Podcasts, and several of the Genealogy Guys Podcasts. I really love both of these shows. They are very different from each other and I learn a lot from them both.
I started listening to podcasts on a trip to Utah. I used to listen to lecture tapes. (For those new to genealogy conferences, they used to sell tape recordings of the lectures, now the lectures are on CD.) I don't tend to listen to the conference CDs on a trip because my CD changer is in the trunk of my car, and I can't change them out very easily on a long trip. Podcasts to the rescue.
I have a little iPod and I can load about 30 podcasts on it. That's more than enough to get me across the Salt Flats. For this longer trip I just downloaded more from iTunes (using my computer) while I stopped for the night in Gallup, New Mexico. (I can hear my son groaning and making a mental note,"Get mom a new iPod for Christmas.")
The only problems were, that while listening to the podcasts I would get such great ideas and I wanted to remember them; or, Lisa, Drew or George would give me a great tip and I ached to write it down. Not a great idea when your driving down a freeway at more than 60 miles per hour (I'm not saying how much more than 60mph.)
That's when I had a technology break through. (See the little light bulb above my head?)
I now cart my little digital voice recorder in my purse and when George, Lisa or Drew hit me with one of their great tips, or a wonderful web site, I pull out my little digital marvel and record it. Then when I get to wherever I land that night I listen back and note down what I want to keep; or go to the web site they mentioned. (I know some of you are saying..."well, duh!" But remember, I'm technologically challenged.")
But, I'm catching up.
I'm catching up on the podcasts too. (It is amazing how many you can listen to while crossing the desert.)
If you haven't discovered podcasts yet...what are you waiting for? Consider this your "engraved invitation." Lisa Louise Cooke produces the Genealogy Gems Podcast (at http://genealogygems.tv/) and Drew Smith and George Morgan produce the Genealogy Guys Podcast
(at http://genealogyguys.com/.) Both shows are also accessible by doing a Google search on their podcast names. They're FREE. However, the content is priceless.
I wouldn't go across the desert without them.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Interview with Louise St. Denis
Ok, here is the long awaited interview with Louise St. Denis from the National Institute for Genealogical Studies (www.GenealogicalStudies.com). Wait till you hear about the wonderful gift she is giving my readers...
Last week I interviewed Louise using Skype. Since that interview (my first Skype experience ...except for my practice runs) I have been using Skype about once or twice a week. It is wonderful to see my son when I call; or to see the documents that my friend Jane has found. I remember when I was in the third grade the teacher gave us all a little booklet on telephone etiquette. In that little comic book type pamphlet was a page on the "phones of the future." Well, I'm here to tell you the future is now. One of those phones, depicted in my pamphlet, was a picture phone that would allow you to see the person you were talking to. I am amazed at our technology. Can you imagine what someone experiences if they were born into a world of horse and carriage but witness the development of the automobile. Or someone who lived during the 1920s watching the "creation" of the television. That is what we are seeing today with this "boom" of technology. I can't wait to see what the next 30 years brings. Imagine.
But I digress...
Back to the interview.
I let Louise know that I was focusing my interview with my beginning genealogy students in mind. However, the classes offered through the National Institute for Genealogical Studies are not just for beginners alone. If you go to www.genealogicalstudies.com you will find a large variety of classes from which to choose. Everything from "Basic Level Methodology" to "Genetics and Genealogy," from "Paleography" to "Probate Records," and everything in between. You can take one class or many. You can purchase classes individually or in packages (this saves you some bucks.)
If you get real serious about your Genealogical Education you can even earn credits through the University of Toronto. This is a certificate program and you can earn a certificate (or many if you so desire) in American Records, Australian Records, Canadian Records, English Records, German Records, Irish Records, Scottish Records, General Methodology, or Librarianship.
Check out the offerings...go to www.genealogicalstudies.com and sign in. Then click on "Courses" (you'll find the button at the top of the page...this opens a drop box...click on "Courses"). Here you will find links to all the courses I named above. Click on the American Records course (or any other course work you might be interested in...but if you are a beginner I recommend starting with the American Records basic level methodology classes). You will see that the course work is divided into segments...Basic, Intermediate and Advanced with a ton of elective courses following.
Some of the general classes include: Writing Your Family History Book, Social Media for the Wise Genealogist, Protect your Precious Documents, Producing Your Family Video, Planning a Research Trip and many more.
Louise assured me that beginning students should not be afraid to venture in. You will be walked through everything you need to know. For example if you sign up for the Social Media class you don't have to already be a FaceBook Fanatic or a Mad Tweeter. The class will teach you everything from top to bottom. She also told me that if you have no desire to join Twitter or FaceBook, you don't have to, the class will still work for you.
Prices range from $49.50 to $160.00 with the average course costing $89.00. The $89.00 courses qualify for credit in the certificate programs and there are assignments and exams. Louise pointed out that, "When you take a course that has exams you challenge yourself and you are sure you know the materials. You'll see what you know and what you don't know."
When I asked Louise the difference between a certificate program and a certification program Louise compared this certificate program to a lawyer, "A lawyer gets his BA and his MA and that's his education, that's what a certificate in Genealogical Studies is. When the lawyer goes on though, and wants to practice law, he has to pass the bar, well, that's what Certification is."
I highly recommend the courses at Genealogical Studies whether you are planning on becoming a professional genealogist or just want to improve your skills for your own gratification.
Now for the surprise: Louise St. Denis has graciously offered a free 8 week Basic Level Methodology class for FREE to my readers. (That's an $89.00 value) But it starts soon...(March 7) so don't delay...take advantage of this offer. You won't regret it. E-mail Louise at Stdenis@GenealogicalStudies.com or Info@GenealogicalStudies.com Let her know that I sent you (Kim von Aspern-Parker from Le Maison Duchamp blog). Send her your name, e-mail address, and be sure to ask her if there is any other information that she needs.
I'm going to take it...and the Social Media class. See you there.
Last week I interviewed Louise using Skype. Since that interview (my first Skype experience ...except for my practice runs) I have been using Skype about once or twice a week. It is wonderful to see my son when I call; or to see the documents that my friend Jane has found. I remember when I was in the third grade the teacher gave us all a little booklet on telephone etiquette. In that little comic book type pamphlet was a page on the "phones of the future." Well, I'm here to tell you the future is now. One of those phones, depicted in my pamphlet, was a picture phone that would allow you to see the person you were talking to. I am amazed at our technology. Can you imagine what someone experiences if they were born into a world of horse and carriage but witness the development of the automobile. Or someone who lived during the 1920s watching the "creation" of the television. That is what we are seeing today with this "boom" of technology. I can't wait to see what the next 30 years brings. Imagine.
But I digress...
Back to the interview.
I let Louise know that I was focusing my interview with my beginning genealogy students in mind. However, the classes offered through the National Institute for Genealogical Studies are not just for beginners alone. If you go to www.genealogicalstudies.com you will find a large variety of classes from which to choose. Everything from "Basic Level Methodology" to "Genetics and Genealogy," from "Paleography" to "Probate Records," and everything in between. You can take one class or many. You can purchase classes individually or in packages (this saves you some bucks.)
If you get real serious about your Genealogical Education you can even earn credits through the University of Toronto. This is a certificate program and you can earn a certificate (or many if you so desire) in American Records, Australian Records, Canadian Records, English Records, German Records, Irish Records, Scottish Records, General Methodology, or Librarianship.
Check out the offerings...go to www.genealogicalstudies.com and sign in. Then click on "Courses" (you'll find the button at the top of the page...this opens a drop box...click on "Courses"). Here you will find links to all the courses I named above. Click on the American Records course (or any other course work you might be interested in...but if you are a beginner I recommend starting with the American Records basic level methodology classes). You will see that the course work is divided into segments...Basic, Intermediate and Advanced with a ton of elective courses following.
Some of the general classes include: Writing Your Family History Book, Social Media for the Wise Genealogist, Protect your Precious Documents, Producing Your Family Video, Planning a Research Trip and many more.
Louise assured me that beginning students should not be afraid to venture in. You will be walked through everything you need to know. For example if you sign up for the Social Media class you don't have to already be a FaceBook Fanatic or a Mad Tweeter. The class will teach you everything from top to bottom. She also told me that if you have no desire to join Twitter or FaceBook, you don't have to, the class will still work for you.
Prices range from $49.50 to $160.00 with the average course costing $89.00. The $89.00 courses qualify for credit in the certificate programs and there are assignments and exams. Louise pointed out that, "When you take a course that has exams you challenge yourself and you are sure you know the materials. You'll see what you know and what you don't know."
When I asked Louise the difference between a certificate program and a certification program Louise compared this certificate program to a lawyer, "A lawyer gets his BA and his MA and that's his education, that's what a certificate in Genealogical Studies is. When the lawyer goes on though, and wants to practice law, he has to pass the bar, well, that's what Certification is."
I highly recommend the courses at Genealogical Studies whether you are planning on becoming a professional genealogist or just want to improve your skills for your own gratification.
Now for the surprise: Louise St. Denis has graciously offered a free 8 week Basic Level Methodology class for FREE to my readers. (That's an $89.00 value) But it starts soon...(March 7) so don't delay...take advantage of this offer. You won't regret it. E-mail Louise at Stdenis@GenealogicalStudies.com or Info@GenealogicalStudies.com Let her know that I sent you (Kim von Aspern-Parker from Le Maison Duchamp blog). Send her your name, e-mail address, and be sure to ask her if there is any other information that she needs.
I'm going to take it...and the Social Media class. See you there.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
In A Past Life
Once upon a time I was a Journalist. I wrote for magazines and newspapers. I did many, many interviews. But that was long ago and far away. (More years than I care to count I can assure you.) So when I decided to write a blog I immediately knew I wanted to interview someone. Since I teach beginning genealogy classes I wanted to interview someone who could advance my students. To me advancement usually means gaining new knowledge. That means learning new things…that means classes…that means Louise St. Dennis.
Louise St. Denis is the managing director of the National Institute for Geneological Studies (Genealogical Studies.com) the certificate program offered through the University of Toronto.
I cornered Louise at RootsTech (not hard to do, she never seems to leave her booth…she’s very dedicated). She is also passionate about her product. I told Louise I was new to blogging and that I wanted her to be my first interview and she said she would be happy to oblige me. She suggested I Skype her. I left Louise’s booth and made my way to my friend Tami.
I have to confess; when Louise suggested I call her for the interview using Skype I probably turned a paler shade. I had never Skyped. I knew what it was because I had seen my son do it; but that was the end of my knowledge. Once again I turned to Techie Tutor extraordinaire, Tami Glatz.
While I was not new to interviewing I was new to the technology I would be using. Tami assured me that there was nothing to it and when we had finished our day at RootsTech she gave me a Skype lesson.
There really was nothing to using Skype. Basically I downloaded Skype to my computer and then entered the name of the person I wanted to contact (their Skype name which may be different than their given name). Then hit the button marked with the little phone icon. It works pretty much like a cell phone; with the added bonus of being able to see the person you are speaking with, should you choose to.
Give it a try…if you don’t have a child or grandchild handy that is using Skype, call me…I’m Kimmyvon.
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