What is GeneaSpy?

GeneaSpy is an avid genealogist who attends national, regional, and local genealogical conferences, to learn about genealogy.

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Jamboree 2017; Day 3

Sunday, 11 June 2017

 Last day! I hate the last day of conferences, plus I must drive two hours south to get home. Because of that, like last year and the year before, I skipped the last session, which I really wanted to attend! It was called, “Using the Bureau of Land Management Tract Books” by Michael John Neill. Well, at least I have the syllabus. Today, I attended another breakfast with Janet Hovorka of Family ChartMasters. Her talk was called, “Saving What’s in Your Attic” and was very helpful and informative talk of preservation. Later in the morning, I got a one on one with Diane Richard concerning some questions I had with my North Carolina ancestors. She was extremely helpful and even offered to email me some info on record repositories concerning the two counties I was interested in. Jamboree 2017 was definitely another success this year! I learned a lot, met new friends, saw old friends, and had a great time. I will be back in 2018!


Today’s classes I attended:

·       Breakfast: “Saving What’s in Your Attic” – Janet Hovorka, MLIS.

·       Two States, Multiple Counties – What’s a Border?” – Diane L. Richard.

·       Did Your Ancestors Own Slaves?” – Janice Lovelace, PhD..



  Here are some pictures from this day: 


Mark Olsen of  Mackiev Software donated these for my society!

Diane L. Richard - All things North Carolina!

Thanks for the pic Janet Hovorka! Love my DNA chart!

Thanks to SCGS and Jamboree! You guys are the best!!!

Official photo from the NextGen Genealogy Network meet-up.

Thanks again to all the wonderful people who put Jamboree together. You guys do so much work all year round to make this happen. A special thanks to Lise Harding and Kathy Holland - the social gurus of Jamboree - You guys rock!

See you next year!

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Jamboree 2017; Day 2

Saturday, 10 June 2017

 I started off by going to a breakfast sponsored by FamilySearch and featuring Michael Provard speaking about some lesser known search techniques on FamilySearch’s website. Mr. Provard was very knowledgeable and a down to earth speaker. Off to classes next with George Morgan and Gena Ortega. Just before lunch I attended a panel discussion on young genealogists and your local society. The panel brought up some interesting questions concerning how young genealogist feel when they attend a local genealogical meeting with mostly retired-age people. That was followed by most of the panelist having lunch together with the NextGen Genealogy Network, which I am a founding member.

 The afternoon consisted of three more classes with Drew Smith, DoctorMichaelLacopo (inside joke), and Miss Peggy Lauritzen. The day was capped off with a dinner banquet with the Reverend David McDonald. Before he went on, Denise Levenick presented the “Suzanne Winsor Freeman Memorial Genealogy Grant” to a young genealogist from Utah, Mindy Jacox. Next, Rev. Dave went on with his presentation, “If I’da Known the Future, I’da Got Here Sooner”. I believe I heard this before, probably at SLIG, but to hear it again blew my doors off! I am glad we have him in the genealogical community.

Today’s classes I attended:

·       Breakfast: “Using FamilySearch to Hunt Your Heritage: Advanced Research Tips” – Michael Provard.

·       Extend Your Research Using Digital Special Collections” – George G. Morgan.

·       Wives, Girlfriends, Widows, Exes and Mistresses: Documenting Women” –Gena Philibert-Ortega, MA, MAR.

·       Panel: “The Next Generation: Young Genealogists and Your Society” – Melanie Frick, MLS, Lisa Medina, Deborah Sweeney, Eric Wells (Construction Master), Paul A. Woodbury, Randy Whited.

·       Your Ancestor’s FAN Club: Using Cluster Research” – Drew Smith, MLS.

·       She Came from Nowhere… A Case Study Approach to a Complex Genealogical Problem” – Michael D. Lacopo, DVM.

·       Away, I’m Bound Away… Migration into the Shenandoah Valley” – Peggy Clemens Lauritzen, AG.



  Here are some pictures from this day: 


In the morning with Michael L. Strauss, AG.

Michael Provard at the FamilySearch breakfast.

George G. Morgan's sold out class!

The guys behind the live stream.

Getting ready for Gena Ortega's class.

Panel discussion led by Melanie Frick.

Paul Woodbury, Randy Whited, and Lisa Medina.

Eric Wells and Deborah Sweeney.

Melanie Frick did a great job with all the questions!

The NextGen Genealogy Network get together.

Mary Roddy and Miss Peggy.

TNGGN lunch.


Drew Smith gave a great presentation today!

The Linkpendium gurus - Wolf & Karen Leverich!

Dr. Michael Lacopo - Always takes a great photo!

Drew Smith popped into the Genealogy Gems booth.

Peggy Lauritzen's presentation on the Shenandoah was excellent!

Dinner banquet.


A present for my dad from Jane Van Tour. He loved them!

Mindy Jacox with Denise Levenick.

Rev. David McDonald - Awesome!

Saturday, June 17, 2017

Jamboree 2017; Day 1

 Friday, 9 June 2017

 Jamboree!!! The first day was great! Classes all day, vendor hall opened, and a splendid dinner banquet in the evening. I saw several, actually more than I expected, friends, from San Diego. We should have organized a picture of all of us! A lot of the bigger vendors I just saw in Raleigh, but there were several local ones I haven’t seen in a while. I was glad to see the BLM there again. Last year I had them print out all my 3x great-grandfather's land patents in Alabama. This year I forgot to have them print ones from another family line… errrgh. Nice to see Christine Woodcock of Genealogy Tours of Scotland all the way from Ontario (no, not Ontario, California… Ontario, Canada!). Also, it’s always a pleasure to see author and genealogy lecturer Ron Arons of Criminal Research Press. Ron has a profound sense of humor and quite the intelligent tap dancer (he went to Princeton and tap dances!). My good friend Randy Seaver of Genea-Musings was in full Jamboree mode (again) this year.



 The dinner banquet was grand. Jane Van Tour of SCGS asked if I would like to sit at the VIP table. Again, I had to explain that I am not a VIP, I’m just a genealogist wanting to learn. I gave in though! Who wouldn’t want to sit with Lisa Louise Cook and her family! The main event was called “Texas Ranch House: Unveiling “Keeping House” in the Census”, a recalling by Lisa Louise Cook of her family’s experience on the PBS reality show “Texas Ranch House” about a family living in 1867 Western Texas. Lisa was very revealing in her details and the behind the scenes adventures they endured. It was quite emotional at times. Lisa’s husband and one of her daughters were there at tonight’s banquet. I bought the DVD right before I can’t to Jamboree from Amazon. I can’t wait to see it!


Today’s classes I attended:

·       Why Become a Professional Genealogist: Preparing for an Exciting New Career or Avocation – Jean Wilcox Hibben, PhD, MA.
·       Google Apps for Your Society – Randy Whited.
·       Too Many Marys: Solving Identity and Same Name Conundrums – Jill Morelli, CG.
·       Generating Genealogy Blog Content – Michael John Neill.
·       Treasures in Township Records – Peggy Clemens Lauritzen, AG.
·       Decoding Secret Societies: Sisterhood in Fraternal Organizations – Michael L. Strauss, AG.



  Here are some pictures from this day: (some are blurry)




The original blogger lounge with Randy & Linda Seaver and Thomas MacEntee (far right).


One of the new digital signs.

Registration tables.


Getting ready for the first class. I like my back corner seat!


Books! And I forgot to browse them!


Do I feel lucky? Lots of prizes! Randy Seaver won a prize!

Busy vendor hall.



I spy the Genealogy Guys Podcast team! Drew & George!

Bruce Buzbee of RootsMagic.

Family Tree Maker booth. Thanks again to Mark Olsen!

LegacyTree Genealogists all the way from Salt Lake City!

The one and only, Randy Seaver!

Diahan Southard presenting at the Genealogy Gems booth.

Christine Woodcock of Genealogy Tours of Scotland.

Ron Arons of Mind Maps fame.


Jill Morelli, CG.

Good friend Elyse Doerflinger-Morales expecting "James" soon!


The hipsters sit in front for Michael John Neill.

Wolf Leverich of Linkpendium and Richard Sherer.




Friday banquet 



Texas Ranch House memorabilia. 

Hannah Fullerton and father, Bill Cooke.


Jane Van Tour introducing Lisa Louise Cooke.

Dessert!

Lisa Louise Cook.

Such an in-depth look into Texas Ranch House!

That's it for Day 1... stay tuned for Day 2!