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. 

Enjoy Yourself at the AZ Family History Expo Exhibit Hall

Here is a list of exhibitors at the AZ Family History Expo.  I hope I haven’t left anyone out.  As you can see there is a wide variety of displays accompanied by friendly people to answer questions and provide tools and tips to make discovering your ancestors and strengthening your family line a pleasant and rewarding experience.

AGES-Online

American Family Chiropractic

Ancestral Quest

Ask-The-Pros

The Blog House

Criminal Research Press

Daughters of the American Revolution

Digital Scrapbook Memories

DMT Publishing

DNA Consultants

do Terra

Easy Family History

Family History Expos and Prize Drawing Area

Family History Society of Arizona

Family Roots Publishing

FamilySearch

Family Tree DNA

Flip-Pal

Gene Tree

The Genealogical Institute

Genealogy Gems Podcast

Generation Maps

Heritage Collector

Legacy Family Tree

My Vintage Roots

The Perfect Word
PhotoTree.com

Prize Drawings

Roots Magic

Sons of Confederate Veterans

Stories to Tell

Story Time Felts

Timeless Footsteps

Universal Genealogy Center

Visit My Past

West Valley Genealogical Society

Stop by the Expo.  There is no charge to visit the Exhibit Hall.  There are fees to attend classes.

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.  Flip-pal, Generation Maps, and Heritage Collector are my affiliates.

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.

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

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.