52 Weeks to Better Genealogy - Challenge 5

Again, I mention the 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy. Amy Coffin (www.wetree.blogspot.com) has put together a great series of weekly blog prompts to help those new to genealogy and those who would like to strengthen some genealogy/family history skills. These prompts are listed on www.geneabloggers.com -- a valuable shared community resource.

Wow! This is new to me. How about you?

Here is this week’s challenge:
Play with WorldCat.org. WorldCat is a massive network of library content that the public can search for free (user name and password not required). Not every library is a part of WorldCat, but the vast size of the network makes it an important genealogy tool. If you are looking for a specific book or publication, enter the identifying information into the WorldCat search box and see which libraries hold the item. You may even find that you can get the item through your library’s inter-library loan program. Don’t forget to search for some of your more unusual surnames and see what comes up. The goal is to play with WorldCat and examine its possibilities for your own research. If you’re already familiar with WorldCat, play with it again. The network and collection grow and change constantly. If you have a genealogy blog, write about your experiences with searching WorldCat for this exercise.

This challenge runs from Saturday, 30 January 2010 through Friday, 5 February 2010.

Thanks to Amy for helping us strengthen our genealogy/family history skills.

Don’t forget to go to www.geneabloggers.com to see other posts about this challenge.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I am listed on the Genea Bloggers Blog Roll because I find it to be a valuable, shared community resource. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy - Challenge 4

It was great to meet Amy Coffin (of the We Tree Blog www.wetree.blogspot.com) and Thomas MacEntee and other GeneaBloggers at the Family History Expo in Mesa last weekend.

Amy has put together a great series of weekly blog prompts to help those new to genealogy and those who would like to strengthen on some genealogy/family history skills. These prompts are listed on www.geneabloggers.com -- a valuable shared community resource. Here is this weeks challenge.

52 Weeks To Better Genealogy - Challenge 4

Learn about your local public library’s inter-library loan (ILL) policy. Pick a genealogy-related book that you want to read that is not in your library’s collection. Ask the librarian how to request the book from another library. Find the different library systems from which you can request books through your own library, as this can dramatically increase the number of genealogy books to which you have access. If you have a genealogy blog, write about your experience with requesting items through your library’s ILL service.

This challenge runs from Saturday, 23 January 2010 through Friday, 29January 2010.

The latest posts on this challenge are listed from GeneaBlogger members on http://www.geneabloggers.com/ You may be interested in reading about their experiences.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I am listed on the Genea Bloggers Blog Roll because I find it to be a valuable, shared community resource. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

History-in-the-Making

As part of the 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy- Challenge 3. I’m assessing how well my own personal history is documented. Since I’m passionate about History-in-the-Making (as noted on my website http://www.familytreequest.com/), and I firmly believe we should all Rise (stand up) and Shine (do something positive), I really appreciate this particular challenge.

Like many other people, my own personal history needs some improvement. I have many scrapbooks and family pictures that are organized, as well as lots of information in no particular state of order. I have a great personal history outline that sits waiting for me to fill in. (I have even given one to my 80+ year old neighbor.) Also, after my spinal surgery, I did write my history in a book for my granddaughter, as I filled in answers to questions there. All in all, however, I feel quite disorganized when it comes to my own personal history. At the beginning of the year, I had decided this would be one area of my family history focus this year.

I’m really looking forward to the Family History Expo in Mesa, AZ on January 22 and 23, 2010. Now, I have decided to use 2 softwares to help me with my personal history. I will be taking classes about each of these softwares and will let you know how it goes. One is the Heritage Collector Suite (organize and label photos, add sound, create slideshows, etc.) It sounds like lots of fun!. The other is Personal Historian: Bringing Life to your Life History (Helps to organize and write personal and family histories)

These are the exciting new steps I plan to take to document my own life. I think the sooner I begin the better. How are you doing with your personal history?

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have an affiliate relationship with some companies that sell the above products I will be trying. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

WELCOME to my new followers!

A hearty welcome to my new followers!
Short and sweet, but heartfelt thanks.

Family Tree Gal, Carolyn

Challenge 3 Is Here! 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy is a series of very helpful blog prompts which are listed on www.geneabloggers.com. The prompts are written by Amy Coffin of the We Tree blog www.wetree.blogspot.com These prompts help beginners as well as seasoned genealogy/family history researchers who’d like to strengthen and polish some skills. I'm excited about this weeks challenge.

Week 3: Assess yourself! You’re great at researching everyone else’s history, but how much of your own have you recorded? Do an assessment of your personal records and timeline events to ensure your own life is as well-documented as that of your ancestors. If you have a genealogy blog, write about the status of your own research and steps you may take to fill gaps and document your own life.

This challenge runs from Saturday, 16 January 2010 through Friday, 22 January 2010.

Amy says - these should be fun exercises! Don't feel that you have to participate each week, nor should you beat yourself up if you miss one or more challenges. We all have so much that we want to accomplish - let alone what we want to accomplish with our genealogy blogs. This series should be one which, by the end of 2010, helps you to be a better genealogist.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I am listed on the Genea Bloggers Blog Roll because I find it to be a valuable, shared community resource. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Challenge 2 of the 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy

Amy Coffin of the We Tree blog www.wetree.blogspot.com has put together a great series of weekly blog prompts to help those new to genealogy and those who would like to strengthen on some genealogy/family history skills. These prompts are listed on www.geneabloggers.com -- a valuable shared community resource. Here is this weeks challenge.

Go to your local public library branch again. Examine the local history, archives and/or special collections section. Ask a librarian if you don’t know if your library has special collections or where they are located. Be sure to check the reference section, too, as many of the newer and more valuable books are held in that area. If you have a genealogy blog, write about what you find in your library’s local history and special collections.
This challenge runs from Saturday, 9 January 2010 through Friday, 15 January 2010.
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If you’d like to see the latest posts from GeneaBloggers members on this week's challenge, go to http://www.geneabloggers.com/52-weeks-challenge-2-local-public-library-continued/

I invite you to again to explore GeneaBloggers website www.geneabloggers.com to find new and exciting genealogy blogs, information about how to begin or improve your own genealogy blog, daily blog prompts, and to see posts from other genalogy bloggers on the 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy Challenges.

Challenge 1 of the 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy

I invite you to explore website GeneaBloggers http://www.geneabloggers.com/ to find new and exciting genealogy blogs, information about how to begin or improve your own genealogy blog, daily blog prompts, and to see posts from other genealogy bloggers on the 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy Challenges.

Amy Coffin of the We Tree blog (http://www.wetree.blogspot.com/) has put together a great series of weekly blog prompts. This is what GeneaBloggers.com has to say about it.

52 Weeks To Better Genealogy is a series of weekly blogging prompts that are a bit more challenging and are geared towards those new to the field of genealogy and family history as well as those who want to brush up on some skills which might be a bit rusty.

This is the week for Challenge 1. It runs from Saturday, 2 January 2010 through Friday, 8 January 2010. For more information and to see the latest posts from GeneaBloggers members, click here http://www.geneabloggers.com/52-weeks-challenge-1/

I hope you benefit from and enjoy this shared community resource.

Who is Family Tree Gal?

Hello. It's Carolyn Murphy, otherwise known as Family Tree Gal.

I am committed to acknowledging generational connections and igniting a sense of extraordinary purpose in individuals in THIS generation. I have some fun posts planned, and I hope you’ll become a follower. Let’s stay connected and help each other glean wisdom from the past, live mindfully in the present, and prepare confidently for the future.

Watch for future blog posts which include:
Memory Lane Monday
Talk About It Tuesday
Resource Wednesday
Thankful, Think About it Thursday
Family Tree Friday

Don't miss out. Become a follower now.

Find out more about Family Tree Gal, Carolyn at
www.familytreequest.com/about

Welcome !

Hi! I'm Family Tree Gal, Carolyn.

Let me help you discover your "roots" and strengthen the "branches" of your family tree in THIS generation. As you strengthen yourself, you strenthen your entire FAMILY TREE through the power of your positive influence. Here's where you can find me on the web.

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