Did I Take It Too Far?

Most genealogists would not dream of taking a vacation and not doing genealogy. We somehow manage to take our family vacation in an area that just happens to be the stomping ground of one ancestor or another. We visit old homesteads, graveyards, courthouses and civil war sites. We go to family reunions or visit distant cousins. Many of our vacations turn into genealogy research trips…or is it that our genealogy research trips turn into vacations. 

Whichever way it is traveling can be expensive so combining one with the other just makes sense…provided you can get your family to agree that visiting your 92 year old aunt in Missouri is almost as much fun as going to Disney World or the Grand Canyon. “Look sweetheart a probate record!”

But I think I took it a bit far when I combined my genealogy research trip with my honeymoon. 

I really can’t take all the blame. I wanted to go see the castles of Europe (very romantic) and my husband wanted to go to somewhere exotic like Fiji or Bali. Then HE suggested (see already it’s his fault) that we had never seen all of the United States we wanted to, so why didn’t we go see things like Mount Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, Washington D.C., New Orleans, the Alamo and Parker Arizona and Grantsville, Utah.

 

(Did you hear tires screeching in your head just now…I did) What? Wait a minute…Parker Arizona? Grantsville, Utah?  

Well, now that we were both Parkers it seems we were going to stop at every Parker town, city, truck stop, whistle stop and feed store with the name Parker. (Or Grant since that is his first name) It got so bad that at one point I insisted on finding a Kim somewhere in the country and going there. 

Well folks, all we could find was a town called Kimberlina, and a few places named Kimberley or variations of that name. My name is Kim not Kimberley. Yap, even on my birth certificate. My father felt I would quit possibly get writers cramp from just my last name…he wasn’t going to tack a long name like Kimberley on the front end. Plus he had a huge crush on Kim Novak.  But there were no towns, cities, rock formations, travel lodges or parks called Kim. No, wait, that’s not completely true. We found a Kim, Texas. We went there. It used to be, sometime long ago, a whistle stop. All that was there was a train watering station.

So can you really blame me when our 1978 motor home chose to break down in Salt Lake City that I jumped on the two days of “down time” to spend my honeymoon at the Family History Library? (That was the fourth day of our honeymoon…the third had been spent on the salt flats with a flat tire…I had used the time to catch up on some data entry)

I think my new husband (a non-genealogist) knew he was in trouble when I asked to take a “little” detour. We were in Austin, Texas visiting my friend Pam; Bastrop and Taylor weren’t that far away. Just a “day trip.” If he didn’t know it then he probably did when the sheriff knocked on our door and told us we couldn’t camp in the cemetery. Not camping I assured him, just visiting with grandma and grandpa.

Nope…my genealogy honeymoon didn’t end there (and neither did the marriage.) We traveled on to Washington D. C. ……..OH MY GOSH!  The National Archives.  I can’t believe I’m going to admit that I did this…I can believe I did it…just not that I would admit it. I sent hubby off for a day of site seeing on his own while I spent a day in blissful heaven at NARA.

I wish I could say that that was the extent of it…but, no.

It was a six week honeymoon/genealogy extravaganza.

What do you think…did I take it too far?

Jumping to Conclusions (Part I)

Sometimes you learn genealogical lessons in the day to day living of our lives. Stick with me here and you'll see how I found a genealogy lesson in an attempted robbery.

I was on my way home from a month long trip to Louisiana. I had spent a glorious month visiting with aunts, uncles and cousins. I had discovered first cousins and spent wonderful hours with them reviewing photos and swapping stories. I visited graves and spent a good amount of time in courthouses, libraries, and church offices. But finally I was headed home.

After a couple of days travel I pulled into a hotel in Arizona. I was very tired. I parked my car in a space right outside my door. Although I was tired it was still early (11pm Arizona time but only 9pm in Louisiana) and I could not fall asleep. So being the good little Techie in Training that I am I fired up my laptop. I decided to download some photos from my camera into the computer and maybe write a blog. I was working at the desk when I heard glass breaking. I moved the drapes aside and peered out at my car. I couldn't see anything amiss. There was a guy, however, looking into the windows of a van parked a couple of spaces away from my car. I decided that something was hincky. Stupid me, I put on some pants over my nightgown and went outside to investigate. I know, I know...STUPID. There could have been someone very dangerous on the other side of that door. Like I said, Stupid.

Luckily someone must have been looking after me, because there was nobody in the parking area. All was quiet. I checked out my car and everything seemed to be ship shape. So I went back inside, finished up my work and went to bed.

The next morning I packed up my car and left. As I was pulling out of the parking space I noticed that I ran over some kind of metal rod or brick-a-bract, a pizza box and some other trash. I drove half a block to the nearest gas station and (now pay attention here) filled my tank. (the gas tank on my car is on the passenger side) The pump was out of receipt paper so I had to go inside the station for my receipt.

When I came back out to my car I noticed that the small (vent) window of the back seat on the passenger side of the car was broken out. I mean smashed, and shattered. On the passenger side. Right above the gas tank.
I was furious. Someone must have broke the window while I was in the store. I had not noticed the window being broke while I filled with gas so...er go...the window was broke after I filled with gas.

I pulled my car around to the front of the store and stormed toward the door. I was addressed by a nice looking young man who informed me that he worked for a mobile glass repair and he could fix that for me and that it would be covered by insurance, my deductible waived. My response was, "I bet." I jumped to the conclusion that he must be the one who had broke my window to drum up business.

I marched into the store and demanded duck tape and cardboard to seal up my window. They didn't have any. Now I jumped to the conclusion that since I HAD to come into the store to get the receipt, giving that "repair guy" the time to break my window, that someone in the store must be in on it. I was seeing red. I was livid, frustrated, annoyed, overly tired, and just plain pissed.

I tore out of that place like the hounds of hell were on my tail. I got about a block and pulled over, took several deep breaths and called my husband. He calmly (he's always calm when I get hysterical) told me it would probably take most of the day to get it repaired but that I should call AAA and get started with the process. I didn't want to waste a day in Arizona dealing with glass guys and with my luck AAA would send that mobile glass guy that I was sure busted my window in the first place. So I elected to drive to the nearest place where I could find duck tape and cardboard. Three blocks later I found a auto parts store where the clerk provided me with said items.

After my makeshift repairs I got in my car and headed out.

 I don't know why I did it, I have no idea why I turned the car around and headed back to the hotel, but I did.

Post Jamboree Recovery

I am in that between time. Betwixt and Between as my mother used to say. It's kind of an emotional combination of let down and rev up. I am recovering from one conference (Jamboree) and getting ready for the next one. (FGS)

While it is good to be home and sleep in my own bed. I miss the excitement that always surrounds conferences. The brain overload from endless classes and the fellowship of those who share our addiction.
I've barely unpacked, the laundry caught up and the suitcases put away but I can't hardly wait for it to start all over.

On the other hand. I'm bushed. I have tons of learning I want to put into practice and I need to catch up on household chores. Not to mention my research and the research for my clients that needs to get done. I have e-mails to catch up on, blogs to read, books to cruise, microfilms to order and view, lectures to produce and articles to write. Whew! Oh and I have to get all of it done before I leave again in September.

Not to mention my "other" life. I have friends, family and animals that all need to hear from me at least a little bit.

Now September may seem like it's a long way off, but my calender is so packed with "to do" items that I'm not sure my husband and I will find the same three days off to take a little vacation.

The GeneaQuilters SCGS Jamboree Quilt

The Quilt Gets Hung

There is so much to do at the Southern California Genealogical Society's Genealogy Jamboree. In addition to classes by world class teachers, and shopping for wonderful tools to use in your research; there are raffle tickets for fab give aways, like books, and videos and other wonderful prizes. This year the GeneaQuilters took on the challenge to produce a quilt that could be raffled off to benefit the Southern California Genealogical Society's Scholarship fund.

The quilt turned out beautiful. I am so proud, I contributed two blocks to this quilt and I think they turned out great, if I do say so myself. There were many people who had a hand in making this quilt a reality. Go to the GeneaQuilters Face Book page to learn more about the putting together of this quilt.

The lucky winner will get not only the quilt, but a book with a picture of each quilt block along with the person who created it and the story behind the block.

I am informed that more than 100 tickets have been sold and it's only Saturday.

Didn't it turn out great

You'd better buy your tickets soon. This is a one of a kind quilt; and this picture does not do it justice. (But I feel it only fair to warn you...I'm going to win this quilt....I am going to win this quilt....I am going to win this quilt....(positive thinking)

GeneaBloggers Welcome Bag

GeneaBloggers really knows how to take care of their bloggers. Not only did we get our customary “blogger beads” (a strand of “Mardi Gras” beads that we wear to identify ourselves as bloggers) but each GeneaBlogger received a Welcome bag chock full of wonderful things.

We got a multi USB hub; a Google For Genealogists Webinar on CD from Thomas MacEntee; a WikiTree Tee-Shirt from WikiTree.com; a couple of laminated “at a glance” sheets from Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.; a Family Tree Builder genealogy software CD from My Heritage; in addition to pens; discount coupons and so much more…

I’m telling you about all the wonderfulness in the bags not to make you jealous, but to first of all, let you know how fantastic this group is, and secondly, to give a big THANK YOU to the vendors who supplied all the goodies. (Disclosure statement: I do not endorse any of these companies nor am I supported by any of these companies.)

Now the only problem is…do I keep all these goodies to myself or do I do a give-away here on my blog? I have to tell you I really am leaning towards being selfish and keeping all these wonderful things. But I haven’t given you guys anything in months…hummm…I’ll need to think on this a bit longer.

I’m thinking about running a contest to find a new name for my business. I was calling myself Heritage Hunters but it turns out that there is someone using that name. So even though that has been my business name for the last several years I need to change it (this time I’ll get it copyrighted or trademarked.) So maybe I’ll make up a goodie bag of my own for the winner of the NAME contest. I’ll use some of the things that were in this bag (if I can bear to part with anything) and add some other goodies. What do you guys think…anybody up for a contest?

First Day (Friday) at Jamboree

Last night, after a day of fascinating lectures (more on this below) I attended the live broadcast of the GeneaBloggers Radio Show. What a hoot. There were about 15 bloggers in attendance and many more listening in via their computers. (Technology still blows my mind) There is also a chat component going on during the broadcast. Thomas MacEntee did a masterful job of remaining focused even though there was a lot of crazy shenanigans going on around him.

This was followed by an ice cream social sponsored by Geni for the GeneaBloggers. My kind of event…did I mention I like to eat? There was your choice of chocolate or vanilla ice cream and a huge variety of toppings. A couple of crazy bloggers danced the hula complete with grass skirts and Pete the Parrot even got in on the act. I think things started (started?) to get out of hand when Pete met Perkins the Penquin. Don’t remember if that was before or after Randy Seaver put a skirt on his head. (Remember folks this was ice cream, imagine what happens when they hit the bar!)

Patricia and Footnote Maven

Everyone screams for ice cream

Sheri Fenley

Who is that with a grass skirt on their head?

Susan Kitchens 

Not everything at Jamboree is crazy party type fun…we actually get in a little learning too. Overwhelmingly the favorite class today seemed to be “Prostitution in the Wild West” presented by Jana Sloan Broglin, CG. From what I hear it was very informative and well presented. I myself went to Warren Bittner’s class “Elusive Immigrants – European Case Studies in ‘Exhaustive Research.’” One of the other bloggers (Amy Coffin) used a wonderful phrase for Mr. Bittner calling him a “newly minted CG.” I loved that turn of phrase so I repeat it here along with my congratulations to Mr. Bittner. (Can’t remember which person tweeted that particular phrase…if it was you sing out and I will give you credit.) Great class, well presented. This was a BCG skill building class and I learned a little bit more about what constitutes an “exhaustive search.”

GeneaBloggers Hard at work

Lisa Louise Cooke gave a superb presentation of what can be done with Google Earth. I purchased her two CDs (Google Earth for Genealogists) a couple of months ago and now I really must set aside a few hours to explore this wonderful resource. I know once I get it figured out I’m going to be working with it for hours and hours, it looks like it could be a lot of fun.

My last class of the day was with George Morgan. He took a subject that could have been fairly dry (Agricultural Census Schedules) and turned it into a very informative lecture with a few laughs thrown in. I now see how I can use these schedules to put flesh and muscle on my ancestors bones. By looking at the schedules and determining what the farmers in my family were growing and determining where they would take their goods to sell them, I can get a more accurate account of their day to day lives.

 Well, that was the first day of Jamboree and I can’t wait for tomorrow.

Jamboree

Well, here it is the first official day of Southern California Genealogical Society's Genealogy Jamboree. It is off to a roaring start...The first lecture everyone is looking forward to attending is "Prostitution in the Wild West" presented by Jana Sloan Broglin, CG. While it looks like it might be a rippen good time I have elected to go the more sedate route and attend Warren Bittner's (another CG) "European Case Studies in 'Exhaustive Research' (For those who are unfamiliar: CG = Certified Genealogist)

Yesterday I volunteered at the Kids Camp. Wow, that was amazing. We had between 40 and 50 kids and about 20 - 25 parents. They participated in all kinds of great events from interviewing to being interviewed. (by Lisa Louise Cooke for her Podcast "Genealogy Gems") The kids also got to earn credits for their merit badges if they were Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts. They made "journaling jars" and played Genealogy Bingo. I know I'll be volunteering again.

My friend Elyse Doerflinger is over the top excited. She is threatning to burst into confetti at any momemt. She is young. I'm too tired (read too old) to get THAT excited but I have to admit...I'm pretty jazzed. This conference, more than any of the others I attend, has that kind of affect. It is the most friendly, most energetic...I don't know what it is exactly, but I want more of it. It's almost as good as caffine.

Haven't made it into the vendor booth yet, and class is about to start. So I'll be tweeting about that a little later (blogging about those things tomorrow too.) For now let me tell you about the I Pad give away....

Susan Kitchens got a huge laugh when she gave away an "I Pad" it was a EYE PAD.  It's kind of a visual joke so you may have had to have been there....

And why aren't you?  Next Year...Promise yourself...Next Year.