Thankful Thursday: Family History Expo's M. Bridget Cook

Today, I’m grateful to have attended the AZ Family History Expo last weekend. As usual, it was well organized with awesome presenters, vendors, and amazing people who were there to have a good time and to learn a lot.

I appreciate being asked to be a Blogger of Honor and met some wonderful fellow bloggers—some of whom may become life-long friends.

I especially appreciated coming to know M. Bridget Cook, who delivered the Distinguished Keynote Presentation at the Friday Night Banquet. She is the mother of three who loves “discovering and sharing the dynamic possibilities of each human soul”. Since my focus on helping and healing family lines is similar to hers, I was very interested in her topic for the ‘Friday night presentation: “Handling and Healing the Skeletons in Your Genealogical Closet”. Her words helped those present realize how our personal stories can help family members survive and thrive. Even those whose history is horrific, can choose to change their lives for the better and become a powerful influence for good.

This is what the Family History Expos site says about Bridget and her books:
“Always curious and awed by the extremes of human behavior, Bridget Cook authored national best-selling Shattered Silence, the Untold Story of a Serial Killer’s Daughter (Sweetwater Books, Cedar Fort 2009) with Melissa G. Moore, daughter of the infamous Happy Face serial murderer. Despite its title, this book has been inspiring millions of people and has been featured on Oprah, Dr. Phil, Good Morning America, 20/20, People Magazine, E! Animal Planet, In Touch Magazine and in other prominent news leaders throughout the world.


Also the author of Skinhead Confessions: From Hate to Hope (Sweetwater Books, Cedar Fort 2008) with former high-ranking, neo-Nazi skinhead leader TJ Leyden, the book and its message now turn thousands away from gangs as TJ works together with universities, law enforcement and military to educate youth and adults alike on the dangers of gang activity and extremist groups. TJ and their book, Skinhead Confessions has recently appeared on Dr. Phil, The History Channel’s Gangland Series, and CNN. TJ often makes regular appearances on CNN and NPR as a national pundit for tolerance and peace activism.

Currently working on Holocaust survivor stories, Bridget continues to delve into the inner workings of families who have suffered tremendously horrifying situations, and yet have triumphed over their circumstances. In addition to her motivational speeches and workshops, Bridget is also a dynamic business leader and entrepreneur. Her incredible energy has led her on a diverse path of business, publishing, humanitarian, genealogy, and even social work as a tracker and mentor for troubled and gang-related youth in Colorado. Having an authentic interest and flair for writing family histories and conducting research, Cook has also been a staff member on Everton’s Genealogical Helper and also The Handybook for Genealogists (Tenth Edition) and currently owns three businesses.”

I enjoyed two of Bridget’s classes about writing personal and family histories at the Expo. I’m grateful for her newfound influence in my life.

Watch Bridget's inspirational video

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Disclosure of material connection: I was a Blogger of Honor at Family History Expos and received free admission and a free dinner and admission to the Friday night event. I am an affiliate of Amazon.com.  Links in this blog are affiliate links. 

Today’s the Day for the AZ Family History Exp

The day has finally come to attend the AZ Family History Expo.  Head on over to the Mesa Convention Center.  There is an abundance of classes to choose from.  Each person who registers receives a complimentary copy of the CD Syllabus with their registration packet when checking in. The syllabus is a compilation of class handouts for the more than 100 classes being offered.

The classes are fabulous, the presenters are well-prepared.  There is something for everyone.  Last year I was amazed at the attention to detail in every facet of every class and in the Exhibit Hall.  There were also giveaways that made the Expo so much fun.  I hope you can attend this fantastic event.

At the Door Registration is $75.00 (2 days)
One Day Registration is $40.00
Attend just a few classes for $12.00/ a class

Arizona Family History Expo
Mesa Convention Center
263 North Center Street
Mesa, Arizona 85201

January 21-22, 2011

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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 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.

Helping and Healing Family Lines

The Family History Expo is almost here.  As a Blogger of Honor, I will be letting you know about some of the great speakers, exhibitors and all-out fun at this event.

Bridget Cook will speak Friday night.  As an author and researcher (among other things) Bridget continues to "delve into the inner workings of families who have suffered tremendously horrifying situations, and yet have triumphed over their circumstances."  She is currently working on Holocaust survivor stories. (from www.fhexpo.com)

Watch this interesting 4 minute video

Register now for this unusual and insightful evening! Tickets are only $33.00, and include a delicious dinner, keynote presentation, and your free, signed copy of Shattered Silence, the Untold Story of a Serial Killer’s Daughter. Keep in mind, tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance to insure your dinner and your keepsake book. Register online today or call 801-829-3295! Click here for more information.

Friday January 21, 2011 at 6:30 PM
Mesa Convention Center, 263 North Center Street, Mesa, AZ 85201
FREE parking

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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 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.

Don't Miss the Expo or the Friday Night Event!

The Arizona Family History Expo takes place January 21-22, 2011 at the Mesa Convention Center, 263 North Center Street, Mesa, Arizona 85201.  There's still time to register.

Don't miss out.

Also, take note of the incredible Friday night event. 

Handling and Healing the Skeletons in Your Genealogical Closet
Friday Night Banquet & Distinguished Keynote Presentation
Featuring M. Bridget Cook, Transformational Speaker &
National Bestselling Author

Register now for this unusual and insightful evening! Tickets are only $33.00, and include a delicious dinner, keynote presentation, and your free, signed copy of Shattered Silence, the Untold Story of a Serial Killer’s Daughter. Keep in mind, tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance to insure your dinner and your keepsake book. Register online today or call 801-829-3295!   Click here for more information.

Friday January 21, 2011 at 6:30 PM
Mesa Convention Center, 263 North Center Street, Mesa, AZ 85201
FREE parking

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a Blogger of Honor for the AZ Family History Expo. I will receive free admission and am invited to the Friday night event free of charge.  I highly recommend this event, however, based on my last years attendance for which I paid full price.  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.”

Announcing the WINNER of 2 Tickets to the AZ Family History Expo

On December 13, 2010, I announced a contest to win 2 tickets to the AZ Family History Expo to be held January 21-22, 2011.

The Winner is

JOAN SOWARDS!

Congratulations, Joan.

For the rest of you, I hope you will not miss this amazing event.  Click below for more details.

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.