Memory Lane Monday: 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy – Challenge #52

Memory Lane Monday

Here’s your weekly genealogy challenge:  Tools and Resources

View the entire description of this week’s challenge, by using my Examiner.com, Phoenix Genealogy Examiner link.  Click here
.  

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy has been a series of weekly blog prompts which was designed to help those new to genealogy and those who would like to strengthen on some genealogy/family history skills.

Many thanks to Amy Coffin of the We Tree blog who has put together a great series of weekly prompts for our challenge this year.  Also thanks to Thomas MacEntee who hosted this challenge on the GeneaBloggers website.  

Some genealogists have named the following among the software they will use as their tools in 2011:

With Heritage Collector Suite, you can

Organize, Find, and Share
Family History Photos and Genealogy

20 % OFF INTRODUCTORY PRICE and $60.00 in BONUSES WITH PURCHASE

Get the ultimate Family History "How to" Guidebook in PDF format.

Learn how to create a bound family history book.

Create your own scrapbooks and storybooks.

GPS Maps

Easier Scanning Interactive tutorial

and more!

Click here for more info.

RootsMagic 4,  Personal Historian and Family Atlas are also helpful tools.







It is useful to have tools for collecting pedigree charts and family dates and places, as well as tools to store pictures or written records of your personal history.  The tools and resources you use will be taylor-made to your own, unique needs and goals. Finding time to locate and choose tools and resources that help you will save you time in the long-run.

Remember the upcoming
AZ Family History Expo to be held in Mesa, AZ on January 21-22, 2011.  Attend the classes and visit the Exhibit Hall to familiarize yourself with the many tools and resources available to help you meet your family history goals this coming year.  Click here for more information or to register.

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Note from Family Tree Gal, Carolyn:  Have you joined the Family Tree Quest at www.familytreequest.com ?  I also invite you to join me on Facebook and Twitter.  Check out my Family Tree Quest Blog if you haven’t done so already. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation from Amy Coffin or GeneaBloggers for writing this reminder. I am listed on the GeneaBloggers 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.”  The links in this post are affiliate links.  I am a Blogger of Honor this year for AZ Family History Expo for which I will receive a Tweet Pass for entrance and will attend the Friday event without charge. I have attended the Expo at my own expense before and highly recommend it based on my personal experience there.

Memory Lane Monday: 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy – Challenge #51

Memory Lane Monday

Here’s your weekly genealogy challenge: Next year's goals

View the entire description of this week’s challenge, by using my Examiner.com, Phoenix Genealogy Examiner link.  Click here. 

Remember to choose only the challenges that suit you and fit into your schedule.
These challenges are meant to be a blessing, not a burden!

Amy Coffin of the We Tree blog has put together the helpful 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy series. These prompts are hosted on the GeneaBloggers website. You may be interested in seeing posts about the challenge from other GeneaBloggers.  Both sites have been voted among about the Family Tree Magazine’s Top 40 Genealogy Websites this year. 

Having a hard time deciding on your goals?  Attend the AZ Family History Expo in Mesa, AZ to set your goals and see new and exciting products.  Be educated by excellent presenters.  Join in the fun!  Click the banner below for more information.

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Looking for FAMILY-FRIENDLY GIFT IDEAS?  Click here.

Note from Family Tree Gal, Carolyn:  Have you joined the Family Tree Quest at www.familytreequest.com ?  I also invite you to join me on Facebook and Twitter.  Check out my Family Tree Quest Blog if you haven’t done so already.
 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation from Amy Coffin or GeneaBloggers.com for writing this post. I am listed on the GeneaBloggers 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.” I have been asked to be a "Blogger of Honor" for FHExpos and will receive free admission and free attendance at the Friday event.  I am recommending the Expo based on my personal experience last year and in conjunction with my "Blogger of Honor" title this year.

Family Tree Friday: I found a relative!

 Family Tree Friday

There's nothing quite like the thrill of a new discovery when the feeling combines with the heart-warming experience of finding a common ancestor.

This last week, I found a Facebook post which was attached to a public figure's post.  The name of the poster included my maiden name "Calton".  It's not a name I have seen often throughout my entire life.  I shot off an email, and I found we shared a common ancestor several generations back.  I'm thrilled!

Talk About It Tuesday: Ancestor Approved Award

 Talk about it Tuesday
This last week I received an honor that I'm passing to others today.

Just after being asked to be a Blogger of Honor for the AZ Family History Expo (to be held Jan 21 and 22 in Mesa, AZ), I was given the Ancestor Approved Award by Bill West (West in New England blog).  I was certainly surprised and very grateful to Bill, to say the least.

       Each recipient of this award is asked to list 10 things they have learned about their ancestors that have surprised, humbled or enlightened them and then pass the award on to 10 other genealogy bloggers who they feel are doing their ancestors proud. 

Here’s my list of 10 things and my list of 10 other bloggers

1.   I have been surprised to find out that my great, great, great grandfather wrote poems, and loved both music and teaching.  I also love to write poems, and my husband and I love music and teaching.

2.  I am humbled to have been adopted into a family line with so many kind and loving people.
     

3.    3.  I have been enlightened through my mother’s example of continuing on and serving others in spite of great pain. (My mother, who died in 2000, was the youngest of 13 children.)

4.    4.  I was surprised by the antics of my fun-loving father (who died in 2001).  When I was little, he’d tell me he had some money for me and asked me to hold out my hand.  Being the tease he was, he’d place a small frog in it instead of money.  I’d scream, and he’d think it was funny.  He’d wait a few days, and I’d fall for the same trick over and over!  Finally I wised up.

5.    5.  I was enlightened about my aunt’s life and her childhood activities with my mother, grandmother and other relatives when she unexpectedly sent her life’s history to me in the mail.
I learned about life in their small town, how they kept their traditions, about her brothers and sisters, about her feelings, and much more.

6.     6.  It was enlightening to learn that my father never remembered being hugged or told he was loved by his father (my grandfather).  This seemed to bring my dad great sorrow, yet my dad became the most loving, happy man I have known.

7.    7.  It was humbling to watch my grandfather become very thin and gaunt with lung cancer (caused by many years of working in mines.  Living in mining towns was a huge part of our family history.) To see my grandmother’s undying concern and loving care for him was a great example to me of love, even during the hardest, most heart-wrenching times.

8.    8.  It was enlightening to learn from my grandmother what is was like to live in a boarding house (which was run by my great-grandmother when she had to solely support her children) and to see what a good woman my grandmother became in spite of being abandoned by her father.

9.     9.  It was enlightening to know that my great, great grandfather saw the first cannon balls roll down the streets of Nauvoo, Illinois when the persecution of the “Mormons” began there.  I can’t imagine how it would have been to have gone home and find that his family had been taken away and left across the river.

1    10.  When I read their stories, I am humbled to know of the great sacrifices that were made by my ancestors, so that I may have the privileges and blessings I have today.

I am passing this award to:

Amy Coffin     The We Tree Blog            

Thomas MacEntee     And I Helped  (I love cooking!)

Gena Philibert Ortega      Food. Family.  Ephemera                

Colleen McHugh     Orations of OMcHodoy                 

Donna Moughty      Donna’s Ireland Blog  

Chris Paton      Scottish Genes                 
Angela McGhie      Adventures in Genealogy Education  

Claudia     Claudia’s Genealogy Blog             

?                Family History Writing                    

Karen  Gowen      From the Shadows to the Page 


I believe you are "doing your family proud!"  Enjoy!


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Talk About It Tuesday is a daily blogging theme:  Talk about specific things you are doing this week to make a positive difference in your family line or about what you are doing to meet your family history goals.  For Generational Change-makers (those who have “Joined the Quest” at www.familytreequest.com), identify yourself as a GCM and tell what you are doing to meet any one of the three goals to 1) Glean Wisdom from the Past, 2)Live Mindfully in the Present, or 3) Prepare Confidently for the Future.  You may wish to record this in your journal (history-in-the-making) or personal history records.

About our daily blogging themes:  I hope you will use these themes in your own posts for blogs, Facebook, Tweets etc. as well as read them here.  Please mention the title of the theme in your own original blog posts (example:  Talkk About It Tuesday: (then your title—not in parenthesis) for blogs.  We will all benefit from seeing what you have to say on the subject. 

For Twitter posts, here are the hashtags:  Memory Lane Monday= #memlm, Talk About It Tuesday= #taitu, Resource Wednesday= #rwed, Thankful, Think About it Thursday= #ttaith, Family Tree Friday= #famtf (Make sure you note that there are two “t”s at the beginning of the Thursday hashtag.)

Win 2 FREE tickets to the AZ Family History Expo

Don’t miss the outstanding AZ Family History Expo that will be in Mesa, AZ on Jan 21-22, 2011.

I will be offering 2 tickets to the Family History Expo to a lucky winner.  (I debated having two winners of one ticket or one winner of two tickets and decided that attending is more fun with a friend or loved one, so I’m offering TWO TICKETS TO ONE LUCKY WINNER so that financial concerns do not need to stand in the way of sharing the experience with someone you want to be with.)

Here is what you do to enter my contest:

Please visit my website http://www.familytreequest.com to become familiar with the new concept I’m developing.  I’m combining the rewards of positive generational change with the thrill of genealogy—especially for those who have had extreme stress, sorrow or dysfunction in their family lines.  Perhaps you or someone you know would like to JOIN THE QUEST.

All you have to do is
1)  Read the homepage (required),
2)  JOIN THE QUEST if you think it would benefit you (optional), and
3)  Send an email to familytreequest@cox.net letting me know what you like most about my website.
Please write CONTEST  in the subject line and sign the email with your name, address and phone number so I can contact you if you win.

Each name will be entered once and drawn at random on January 1, 2011.   The winner will be announced on my Family Tree Gal blog on January 3.

Don’t delay.  Enter today!  The Expo is AMAZING!

Click the banner above for more information about the Expo

Memory Lane Monday: 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy – Challenge #50

Memory Lane Monday

Here’s your weekly genealogy challenge: Regional Archives

View the entire description of this week’s challenge, by using my Examiner.com, Phoenix Genealogy Examiner link.  Click here.  

Remember to choose only the challenges that suit you and fit into your schedule.These challenges are meant to be a blessing, not a burden!'

Amy Coffin of the We Tree blog has put together the helpful 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy series. These prompts are hosted on the GeneaBloggers website.  You may be interested in seeing posts about the challenge from other GeneaBloggers.  Both sites have been voted among about the Family Tree Magazine’s Top 40 Genealogy Websites this year.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Looking for FAMILY-FRIENDLY GIFT IDEAS?  Click here.

Note from Family Tree Gal, Carolyn:  Have you joined the Family Tree Quest at www.familytreequest.com ?  I also invite you to join me on Facebook and Twitter.  Check out my Family Tree Quest Blog if you haven’t done so already. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation from Amy Coffin or GeneaBloggers.com for writing this post. I am listed on the GeneaBloggers 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.”

Blog Caroling: O Holy Night

Footnote Maven has a tradition of blog caroling in which I am happy to participate.  Music certainly warms the soul and brings light and life to dreary hearts at holiday time.

We celebrate a Christ-centered Christmas along with our American traditions.  My favorite Christmas song is O Holy Night.  A couple years ago, I decided to do something different at our Christmas Eve get-together.  I asked each family member to write a paragraph or two about their favorite Christmas Carol and say why it was a favorite of theirs.  I told them I wanted it for our family records, and everyone participated.  It was enlightening and also helped us progress toward having more family history.  I was very surprised to see that many of our children and their spouses picked O Holy Night as a favorite.  I also asked the question on Facebook this year, "What is your favorite Christmas song?".  Most of the first responses were O Holy Night.

Here are the lyrics and a video by Josh Groban.
I especially love the lyrics that come after saying His law is love
and His gospel is peace:

Chains he shall break,
for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.

O Holy Night

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

Family Tree Friday: Coping with Your Imperfect Family

Family Tree Friday

 PREPARE CONFIDENTLY FOR THE FUTURE BY STRENGTHENING YOUR FAMILY TREE IN THIS GENERATION.

Since I'm all about strengthening our family trees, I wanted to include a post this season about the holiday dynamics that can come up in our real life, face-to-face "Family Tree".  Ali Brown gives permission to reprint her Holiday Survival guide when her personal information is included following her comments.  I appreciate her insight.  I hope you will, too.    

"Holiday Survival Guide: How to Cope with Your Imperfect Family"

Submitted by Ali Brown on December 2, 2010 - 8:06am

Holidays are supposed to be times of great joy. Doe-eyed children, glittering decorations, and warm family moments are on display everywhere in films, cards and commercials, and it’s hard not to want to recreate these fictitious scenes in our own lives.

But for most of us, being reunited with our families can bring up a lot of old stuff. And, if you aren’t well armed with a sense of humor before the family starts pouring through the front door, anger and despair from old hurts might swallow your holiday cheer. 

Here are a few pointers for handling your family with style and grace this holiday season. Hang in there!  

Manage your expectations
Most of us would like to think that everyone has a dysfunctional family, and that no one has a family quite as quirky as our own. In a way, this is true because there’s no way anyone else’s family could possibly annoy you as much as your own. Simply maintaining this perspective could cool you off a little. But it’s also healthy to remain realistic about the family dynamic. Instead of shooting for perfection, anticipate that a spat or two might erupt while everyone’s back together. These aren’t simply dinner guests, after all.  They are -- for better and for worse -- your family!

Greet them warmly
If the relationship has been strained in the past, they are probably dreading this holiday reunion time as much as you are. Start things off on a different foot. Give them a warm hug when they walk in the door or express your gratitude for their coming to be with you. You can set the tone for the trip (and reset it every time things start slipping to the old family dynamic).

Pick your battles
Make the distinction about what is worth fighting for and what isn’t. If the conversation takes a turn you don’t want to handle, politely excuse yourself and leave the room. If you know that you are heading toward a dead-end argument, acknowledge this reality and let it go. But, don’t be afraid to defend your beliefs if you feel strongly about them. I don’t know a better way to kill an argument than by saying “We agree to disagree.”

Like everything else in life, family time is sprinkled with warm moments and frustrating ones. If the tree didn’t fall over at least once and the dog didn’t chase Aunt Susie’s cat across the dining room table, then you’d be left with nothing to talk about other than Uncle Harold’s gallbladder. After all, the best memories are the -- well, memorable ones! 

© 2010 Ali International, LLC

Self-made entrepreneur and Inc. 500-ranked CEO Ali Brown teaches women around the world how to start and grow profitable businesses that make a positive impact. Get her FREE weekly articles and advice at www.AliBrown.com

I have no material connection with Ali Brown or her products at this time.

Thankful, Think About It Thursday: Blogger of Honor

I’m grateful to have been selected as a Blogger of Honor at the 2011 AZ Family History Expo.  Please join me in Mesa Jan 21-22.  I can't wait to experience the excitement leading up to this great event and write my experiences in my family records!  It's so fun to hear from people online and to meet new people with similar interests at the Expo.

Last year was my first year to attend, and I was not disappointed in the least!  The speakers were fantastic, the exhibit hall was buzzing with happy family history seekers, lunch (served there for a small cost) was delicious.  I met some wonderful people, who have become online friends throughout this year, and I learned more about family history, genealogy and using social media and technology in regards to searching for ancestors.  The atmosphere was warm and friendly, and I can’t wait to get back there for more this year.

Please save the date:

Jan 21 and 22, 2011

Mesa Convention Center
263 North Center Street
Mesa, AZ 85201

Register now, if you're so inclined.  Click here.
I think you’ll be glad you did.

Resource Wednesday--Heritage Collector Suite, a MUST HAVE!

Resource Wednesday

Heritage Collector Suite

Your complete Family History Management System

I highly recommend this resource, I have seen it demonstrated more than once, and I can't wait to get started using it regularly this coming year!

When I first saw the features of this product, I sought out the owners and asked if we could do business together.  I met Marlo Schuldt and his wife, Leanna, at our last
AZ Family History Expo in Mesa.  Once again, I was "sold".  They are the nicest people and have an amazing product.

Here are some details:

Heritage Collector Makes Organization Fast and Easy

20 % OFF INTRODUCTORY PRICE and $60.00 in BONUSES WITH PURCHASE
Organize, Find, and Share
Family History Photos and Genealogy

Is YOUR Family History creating clutter?

THE PERFECT SOLUTION to your frustration and stress.
SAVE MONEY. CREATE your own family history gifts.
PRESERVE priceless memories

                           

Everything You Need to Complete a Variety of Family History Projects

    * Organize Photos, Documents, Audio Files, Video Clips and More
    * Avoid frustration and costly mistakes
    * Keep associated photos and files together
    * Find Any Photo in Seconds
    * Photo Identification
    * Archive and Search CDs and DVDS
    * Safeguard Files With Backup System
    * Create Sharable PDFs
    * Save Hard Drive Space
    * Easy to follow user manual.  No computer jargon.

Perfect for the beginner and also for those who have boxes and boxes of “stuff”.

When you don't know where to begin, begin with Heritage Collector Suite!

For more details, click here. Check out the awesome bonuses.

For other genealogy records (pedigree charts, etc.)
I recommend Roots Magic Software.

Between the two products, you'll have things under control!

Happy organizing!

By the way, these are great gift ideas.

For other family-oriented gift ideas click here.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I make a point to recommend only those products which I feel will be of value to my readers. With this in mind, I'm disclosing that I am an Amazon Affiliate.  I own the Family Tree Quest website, and Heritage Collector drop ships products for me.  When links in the above post are clicked, I make a commission if a sale results.

Challenge #49 - 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy

Memory Lane Monday

Here’s your weekly challenge: National Archives, Genealogy

View the entire description of this week’s challenge, by using my Examiner.com, Phoenix Genealogy Examiner link.  Click here.

Remember to choose only the challenges that suit you and fit into your schedule.
These challenges are meant to be a blessing, not a burden!

Amy Coffin of the We Tree blog has put together the helpful 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy series. These prompts are hosted on the GeneaBloggers website.  You may be interested in seeing posts about the challenge from other GeneaBloggers.  Both sites have been voted among Family Tree Magazine’s Top 40 Genealogy Websites this year.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Looking for FAMILY-FRIENDLY GIFT IDEAS?  Click here.

Note from Family Tree Gal, Carolyn:  Have you joined the Family Tree Quest at www.familytreequest.com ?  I also invite you to join me on Facebook and Twitter.  Check out Family Tree Quest's Blog if you haven’t done so already.  

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation from Amy Coffin or GeneaBloggers.com for writing this post. I am listed on the GeneaBloggers 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.”

Christmas Card Giving is Expensive!

Resource Wednesday

No more expensive postage this Christmas!  I sent eCards from American Greetings.

I am one of those people who values the personal connection that comes when giving and receiving cards.  I value the sweet sentiments the words convey—when they are usually left unspoken in the “busy-ness” of life.  To me, this is an important, often-neglected part of strengthening our family trees with secure bonds that words from the cards can convey—often better than we can say them ourselves.

Each year, I send out about 125 cards.  The last few years I’ve had an internal debate with myself going on.  Do I continue to send Christmas Cards, do I pare down my list, do I quit sending cards all together?  I’ve learned that I value the relationships of the people I rarely see (due to moving out of the same city and/or state).  In spite of the expense of postage, I still managed to stay in touch with most of them—those who included some details about their lives and experiences.  The connection was worth the expense.

Thank goodness technology has helped me solve my dilemma!  This year, I purchased a subscription from American Greetings after my FREE TRIAL.  My cards got delivered via the Internet with the click of a button.  Since it is my first year, importing the addresses and selecting my Christmas Card “group” was a bit time consuming, but well worth the savings on purchasing cards and postage.  I’m all set up for years to come, and I will mail some cards to loved ones who do not use the Internet.  I win all the way around!  I’m so happy about this and just wanted you to know.

I became an affiliate of American Greetings and Blue Mountain Arts to be able to share these great money and energy-savers with you.  Smilebox (affiliate) has some great selections as well.  Most offer some FREE services.  I bought an inexpensive membership and have sent cards for birthdays, other holidays and special occasions.  I’ve even posted cards to friends Facebook pages. I’ve been able to include personal written messages.  I think you can include pictures or video, but I haven’t explored that yet.  It’s wonderful!  Give it a try.

You’ll find them listed on my HOLIDAY IDEAS and SPECIALS page of my website, or simply click the links in the post above or on the buttons below!  Enjoy!