tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20712228648686528752024-03-21T19:56:21.939-07:00Spirit of ElijahMalachi 4:6 "And he shall turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the children to their fathers" A blog to record my journey of catching the spirit of Elijah while learning how to do family history research in the digital age.LJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844447982186578533noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071222864868652875.post-79596756196999732462011-10-25T19:14:00.000-07:002018-01-30T11:20:01.817-08:00Why I wrote this blog<span style="font-size: 130%;"> Back in the 1980's and '90's I was quite passionate about family history research. In addition to doing a lot of work on my own family lines, I worked in a genealogy library helping to teach other people how to get started with it. However, that was a long time ago - before genealogy (or anything else for that matter) went digital. So my research methods back then were most definitely "old school". I went to court houses. I wrote letters which were mailed at a post office to various libraries and genealogical organizations. I walked through cemeteries. I cranked lots of microfilm machines. It was rewarding, but rather tedious, expensive and slow to track down new information.<br /><br />Then as time went by, my life got very busy with career and family responsibilities. I had two very active sons who kept life interesting with all their activities. When they got older, I went back to school to complete a graduate degree. After that I was immersed in establishing a career. Along the way our family moved a few times. Basically, life got full and I allowed a lot of other things to take precedence over my genealogical research. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">During the next decade or so, most of my family history records got put on the back burner. Once I packed it all up for one of our moves, I never really got it all out again to have it be an ongoing part of my activities. I would go back and dabble in it a bit from time to time whenever circumstances would allow, or if I learned of a new lead. But I was not nearly as focused on keeping up with it as I previously had been.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;">Then around 2010-2011 I decided it was time to get it all out to take stock of what records I had and to organize it again. I got into a Family History class at my church and that re-ignited the old spark of passion. An aunt and uncle I hadn't spoken to in years sent me several boxes of old family photos, documents and personal correspondences when they were clearing out closets. Filled with renewed energy for the project, I was ready to pick up where I had left off. However, I discovered the whole world of family history research had changed dramatically with the advancement of the Internet. Genealogy had gone digital while my back was turned!<br /><br />Today I have a whole new set of tools and research methods from how I did things before. So I decided to embrace those tools by using the internet as a means of both recording data I had collected and for sharing my love of family history research with others. This is why:<br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">1) I want to PRESERVE my information.</span> </span><span style="font-size: 130%;">By recording my various family information digitally and posting it on this blog, it keeps it safe, no matter what happens to my original records. P</span><span style="font-size: 130%;">otential dangers of flood, fire, mice, or other destructive elements are far less of a threat when my data and images and saved to the "virtual cloud". Beyond that, most of my family does not have much interest in genealogy. It's quite possible that when I grow old and feeble or die, someone cleaning out my house may pitch out the whole stack. Saving things digitally will insure that my many years of gathering information will not go down the drain once I am no longer there to watch over it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">2) I want to SHARE my information with others</span>. Even though no one in my immediate family is particularly interested in these records, other people might be. My great grandparents had many descendants through other lines besides my own who I know nothing about. Perhaps one of them will one day go looking. Or, it may be someone from a generation not even born yet will one day wonder where they came from. <a href="http://www.google.com/"><b>Google</b> </a>did not exist when I first started doing family history research. Now with a few clicks, people anywhere in the world can search for information. By putting the info up on the internet it will make it possible for others to find pictures, documents, stories and other information that took me years to track down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">3) I want to ORGANIZE my information. </span>I've collected quite a bit of stuff over the years. There are boxes and boxes of miscellaneous papers in my collection, in addition to the files and books I generally keep in my office. There is so much material that even with the best of filing systems it is hard to find what I need when I want to locate a particular image or piece of information. By having everything converted to digital format it's much easier to store and sort. With a few clicks of the mouse I can get to the family group I am looking for and then sort by generation. In a few minutes I can find just what I'm looking for without losing every horizontal surface of my home to stacks of paper or straining my back searching through boxes in my storage shed. It just makes sense to me to keep things this way,</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: 130%;">4) I want to VALIDATE my information.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> No matter how careful I've been, it's always possible that errors have crept in as I copied over information from court houses, cemeteries or other people's records. It is also possible some of the information provided to me by others was not complete or not accurate to begin with. By having it out on display like this, if there is anyone else who may be researching the same families, they can let me know if they notice mistakes in what I am claiming.<br /><br />I really do try to be careful in putting my information together, but I know very well I am not perfect. I do not take offense at all if someone tells me "hey - you've got that information wrong" or "you did that the wrong way".<br />I am eager to make my records as accurate as I possibly can, so I welcome any feedback from others who may find something that needs fixed.<br /><br />This blog has three main sections. The links at the TOP portion of the sidebar are tools that I routinely use that I have gathered here just to make it easy for me to access by having them all in one place. In the middle are the lessons. These are summaries of the class I took at my church that kick started my re-entry into the world of genealogy. Those are there as a reminder for my own benefit, as well as aids to potentially help others who have an interest in family history. At the bottom of the side bar are Links to information about the families I am doing research on. I keep most of my own data on FamilySearch and Ancestry.com. But I also have created separate blogs for each of the main family groups that I research as a gathering place for some of the stories and photos I have. This blog is my central key to it all so that with just one URL and one password I can readily click to everything I have. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">So if you have stumbled across this humble little blog, welcome. Enjoy. I hope you find something useful. If you have suggestions for some other resource I might want to add - please let me know.<br /><br />Whatever your reasons may be for finding this page - welcome. Isn't the digital age an amazing thing?</span><br />
<br />LJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844447982186578533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071222864868652875.post-72951523207851853782011-06-01T05:12:00.000-07:002016-11-17T10:56:12.717-08:00The People on My Pedigree Chart<br />
<b>My Parents:</b><br />
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<a href="http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=138103139">Donald Charles Pendley</a><br />
b. 25 Apr 1928 Oak Creek, AZ<br />
d. 16 Dec 1983 Camp Verde, AZ<br />
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<a href="http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=42321097">Nancy Ann Krebs</a><br />
b. 05 Dec 1930 El Paso, TX<br />
d. 21 Dec 1983 Phoenix, AZ<br />
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Married 25 Dec 1952 Flagstaff, AZ<br />
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<b>My Grandparents:</b><br />
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<i><b>Father's Parents</b></i><br />
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<a href="http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=66693408">Frank Leslie Pendley</a><br />
b. 12 Mar 1877 Austin, TX<br />
d. 14 Oct 1954 Oak Creek, AZ<br />
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<a href="http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=138113798">Jane Hibbard Hutchinson</a><br />
b. 12 Mar 1903 Stroud, OK<br />
d. 14 Dec 1979 Prescott, AZ<br />
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Married 21 Nov 1921 Flagstaff, AZ<br />
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<i><b>Mother's parents </b></i><br />
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<a href="http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=42321099">Louis B. Krebs</a><br />
b. 04 Sep 1905 Phoenix, AZ<br />
d. 13 Dec 1979 Cottonwood, AZ<br />
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<a href="http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=42321098">Florence Lucille Kurtz</a><br />
b. 28 Mar 1907 Barberton, OH<br />
d. 17 Nov 1988 Camp Verde, AZ<br />
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Married 25 December 1925 Phoenix, AZ<br />
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<b>My Great Grandparents</b><br />
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<b><i>Father's Father's Side:</i></b><br />
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Thomas Tillman Pendley<br />
b. 1848 GA<br />
d. 1889 Austin, TX<br />
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Matha Hall<br />
b. 1853 MO<br />
d. abt. 1892 TX<br />
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Married 30 Jul 1871 Austin, TX<br />
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<i><b>Father's Mother's Side</b></i><br />
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Charles Hutchinson<br />
b 18 Aug 1867 New York, NY<br />
d. 31 May 1953 Wesleco, TX<br />
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Edith Thomas<br />
b. Dec 1873 Beloit, WI<br />
d. 17 Jul 1910 Oak Creek, AZ<br />
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Married 12 Dec 1893 Benton, AK<br />
<i><b><br />Mother's Father's Side</b></i><br />
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<a href="http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=106866078">Aola Urade Krebs</a><br />
b. 20 Dec 1873 Pine Grove Mills, PA<br />
d. 25 Jan 1929 Phoenix, AZ<br />
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<a href="http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=106866179">Alta Geneva Booton </a><br />
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b. 12 Mar 1879 Mt. Zion, KY<br />
d. 26 Jun 1944 Phoenix, AZ<br />
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Married 27 Sep 1898 Cowley, KA<br />
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<i><b>Mother's Mother's Side</b></i><br />
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<a href="http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=71008452">Emery Jacob Kurtz</a><br />
b. 09 Mar 1883 Baughman, OH<br />
d. 10 Nov 1938 Sedona, AZ<br />
<a href="http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7727207">Gertrude Anna Young</a><br />
b. 18 Jul. 1881 Union Township, OH<br />
d. 29 Jul 1983 Cottonwood, AZ<br />
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Married 16 Aug 1902 Barberton, OHLJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844447982186578533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071222864868652875.post-45287998811105763422011-04-10T18:00:00.000-07:002014-11-03T09:03:06.770-08:00The Cow Report Letters<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TUDdsfJjc-I/AAAAAAAAAH8/FPgU0zkEXgc/s1600/aola%2Burade%2Bwith%2Bcow.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TUDdsfJjc-I/AAAAAAAAAH8/FPgU0zkEXgc/s320/aola%2Burade%2Bwith%2Bcow.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566692895775486946" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 232px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">Sometimes treasures of genealogy information can be gleaned from reading old family correspondences. Before the days of cell phones, email, twitter and FaceBook, people actually wrote letters to one another as a way to stay connected. Some of those letters still exist in attic trunks or tied up with satin ribbons in a shoe box under somebody's bed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">Ask other family members if they know of any correspondences, Bible records or other family records that may be around. If the person you ask does not have them, they may know who will. You could be surprised by the wealth of information available to you. I know of some who have felt a special closeness to ancestors who left detailed margin notes in old recipe books!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">I was fortunate enough to inherit a packet of family letters written by my great grandfather on my mother's side, <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Krebs&GSfn=aola&GSmn=urade&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=106866078&df=all&">Aola Urade Krebs</a>. His oldest daughter, Fern, had gone to Japan to work as a secretary for the Methodist church. For the years that she was in Japan her father wrote to her faithfully every couple of weeks. Fern kept many of those letters and I now have them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">You can imagine my excitement when I received this package of letters from my grandmother. I was sure I would learn all sorts of detail about the history of my family in the lines of those long ago correspondences. In some cases, that would have been true. Not, however, with these.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">My great grandfather worked for Central Arizona Dairy in Phoenix, Arizona. If there ever was a man who loved his cows, it was Aola Urade Krebs. Nearly all the letters to Fern are filled with infinite detail about the health and well being of each cow at the dairy. He reports meticulously how many gallons of milk were received and how much cream they gave. He tells all sorts of things about the operation of a dairy farm in the early 1900's. Then, almost as an after thought, he would quickly scribble at the bottom of the page "mother and children are doing fine."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">I was deeply disappointed by the lack of usable family history information in these letters and almost gave up after reading six or seven that were all pretty much the same story - cows, cows and more cows. But I did not give up. I am tenacious if nothing else. I kept reading page after difficult-to-decipher page in my great grandfathers wavy handwriting. Finally it paid off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">In one letter he remarks that it is his wedding anniversary. EUREKA! Until I found that note I had no idea when he had married. This gave me a solid date in the man's own hand, something I could be sure of. Over the years I have learned to appreciate these letters more than I initially did, because for all they lack in family anecdotes, they really do give me insight into my great grandfather's work ethic and his affinity for his vocation. They help me understand what was important to him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">They also inspire me to turn off the computer and write a few old fashioned correspondences of my own from time to time. I can't imagine anyone keeping even the best phrased emails for 100 years. These letters from great grandpa are about that old. Hopefully in my own letters, however, I 'll say more than "mother and kids are doing fine.".</span></div>
LJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844447982186578533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071222864868652875.post-23078628641510114202011-04-10T05:31:00.000-07:002017-02-24T13:17:24.427-08:00Getting Help from the Other Side<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TUmVX7VnmoI/AAAAAAAAAIc/Xl-mjQhLWeE/s1600/William%2BBrewster.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569146652518226562" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TUmVX7VnmoI/AAAAAAAAAIc/Xl-mjQhLWeE/s320/William%2BBrewster.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 190px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">Over on my </span><a href="http://family-of-frank-and-jane.blogspot.com/2011/02/brewster-connection.html"><span style="font-size: 130%;">"Pile o' Pendleys"</span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"> page I list my grandmother's lineage to Elder William Brewster, spiritual leader of the pilgirms who came to this country on the ship Mayflower. </span><span style="font-size: 130%;">What I did not tell there is the story of how I came to have the document which proves this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">The document is a letter from the Mayflower historical society written in 1905 to Kate Thomas (my grandmother's aunt who raised her) listing each generation from her father (John L.V. Thomas) back to William Brewster.<br /><br />I have a dim memory of my mother showing me the document when I was a very little girl. I remember being in awe of that letter, so old and so important. I handled it gingerly, imagining the lives of the generations of my family listed there in faint, curly script.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: white;">. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">My mom had the best of intentions for gathering and preserving information about our family. She really did mean well. But she did not have an organized bone in her body. Her way of dealing with "stuff" was to put it in a box to sort through and put away later. For most things, later never came. So her closets, the garage and just about any other available space in her home were filled with many, many boxes of hodge podge gathered up items that had nothing to do with each other. There was no filing system. There was no order at all. As a result of her disorganized, chaotic way of living, she lost the Mayflower letter early on and never could find it despite several frantic searches.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;">. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">After my mother died in 1983 I had the job of flying to Arizona to clean out her house to prepare it for sale. It was quite a chore. Room after room was filled with things I had no idea what to do with. Much of it had tremendous sentimental value, but not anything that would be of much worth to anyone else. Since most of my siblings lived several states away it would have been expensive to ship boxes of things none of us had seen for many years. So most of it got sent to the local thrift shop or just outright thrown away. I rented a big dumpster which was delivered to the driveway of the house where I'd grown up. I spent many hours tossing away mementos of my childhood with tears streaming down my face.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;">. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">After I finished with the house stuff I went to the garage. By that time I was tired, sore, and emotionally exhausted. I took one look at that garage and became totally overwhelmed. It was floor to ceiling boxes stacked in rows three deep on each side with just a little path to walk between them. Where would I even begin?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;">. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">I opened up several of the boxes that were easy to get to. I felt like an archaeologist sifting through layers of a life. I found scraps of the fabric I had <b><i>tried</i> </b>to make a dress out of in home ec class when I was in eighth grade. (Emphases on TRIED because I was a complete failure at sewing!) Why had she kept that? Under the cloth were piles of Campbell soup labels she had saved for some fund raiser at the school. Under that were her 1964 tax files and receipts. Under that were newspaper clippings about various people she knew. Under that were ...well, you get the idea. It was piles and piles of more STUFF that had meant something to her but probably should all just get thrown out.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;">. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">Discouraged and tired, covered in grime and sweat, I decided I had enough. I put down the box and headed for the door. As I moved to leave the garage I got a DISTINCT impression that said STOP. It was not a voice that I heard with my ears. But it was as clear a feeling as if someone were standing right next to me. </span><span style="font-size: 130%;">I turned all around to look, reassuring myself that no one was there. Again I moved to leave.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 130%;">STOP!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">The second time the feeling came it was undeniable. I did not understand it. But I knew I could not leave that garage. I was to do something. But what?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">I stood quietly in the garage for several minutes, gathering my thoughts. I began to pray, asking Father in Heaven to guide me to know what he would have me do.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;">. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">Then, in a way I cannot explain in any sort of linear, logical fashion, I was DIRECTED to open a very specific box. Mind you this was not a box that was easy to get to. Out of the dozens, maybe hundreds of boxes that were in that garage, I got a distinct impression I was supposed to open one particular box that I had to move many others to get to.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: white;">. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">When I finally got to THE box, I had a complete sense of confusion about what I was doing. It made no sense. Why was this box any more special than any of the rest of the junk that was stored out there? For goodness sakes, why didn't my mother ever throw anything away?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: white;">. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">With a tired, discouraged sigh, I began sorting through the box to try to figure out why I was getting such a strong feeling. Again, I lifted out layer after layer of things that were sentimental to my mother, but of absolutely no use to me. There were things from her time as a cub scout den leader. There were papers from the time she served as president of the PTA. Under that was a bunch of stuff that looked like grocery lists, clipped obituaries, and out right junk. I thought, "this is stupid" and turned around to leave again. This time I got such a physical shock, it was as if someone were standing right there by me and grabbed me by the shoulders, saying LOOK! I know that makes no sense. But that is what I felt. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: white;">. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;">So, feeling like I was losing my mind, I went the rest of the way through all the mess in that box. Then there, at the very bottom, there were two things: the letter from the Mayflower Society documenting my lineage to William Brewster and my grandmother's report card from the first grade.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wHdI6D84y8M/VFe4fJxMC6I/AAAAAAAACCk/NQKLJ7-dfqI/s1600/letter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wHdI6D84y8M/VFe4fJxMC6I/AAAAAAAACCk/NQKLJ7-dfqI/s1600/letter.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">As soon as my fingers touched those papers, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. Not MY relief. But it was as if I were feeling the relief of whatever presence had directed me to search that particular box that day. I knew beyond any shadow of a doubt that even though my eyes could see no one, I was not alone.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;">. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">I believe with all my heart that our ancestors are waiting for us to find them. They are eager to have us learn of their lives and to feel a connection to them. I know that our kindred dead are depending on us to complete the necessary temple ordinances so they can progress in the next stage of their eternal spiritual journey. I recognize that some folks think that is a kooky idea. But to me it is as real as watching the seasons change.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">I know that day in the garage, I was guided to find a record that will have important significance in my family for years to come. I know that when I get stuck in doing genealogy research, if I am patient and prayerful, I will at times be given help from the other side. It will not always be as dramatic as this particular experience. But I know beyond any shadow of a doubt that we are connected to others who went before us and this work of searching out and documenting family history matters.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">I am grateful to my mother, who despite her complete lack of organization, did teach me to have a love of genealogy. I am also grateful to my ancestors who helped me find this special link between them and me.</span></div>
LJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844447982186578533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071222864868652875.post-43839087516637204112011-04-09T20:59:00.000-07:002018-02-10T15:06:37.023-08:00Time to get organized!<span style="font-size: 130%;">Whether you are just getting started at gathering family papers or are a seasoned researcher, it just makes sense to have some sort of system for keeping your records and notes organized and safe. </span><span style="font-size: 20.8px;">There are a number of different ways to organize family history. There is no "right" or "best" way to do this. Some people like paper they can hold in their hands. Others prefer keeping everything electronic. Whatever system you use, some basic questions to ask may include: </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><b>What is important to keep? </b><br />(Is it original? Does it provide unique information? Do you have multiple copies?)<br /><br /><b>How should I organize my materials?</b>Find a system and stick with it. Some people put EVERYTHING having to do with a specific family together in one box or notebook. Others put all photographs together, all documents together, all correspondences together, etc. Another approach is to use color coded folders for different types of records but keeping everything pertaining to each family group in its own box or drawer. Whatever works for you, having a system of order will help you be able to get your hands on a particular item when you want one.<br /><br /><b>How can I keep my records safe?</b><br />For paper records, it may make sense to have them scanned as a back up. Be sure they are stored in such a way to minimize risk of damage, whether in plastic sleeves in notebooks in a bookcase or in file folders in a cabinet.<br /><br />NOTE: Newspaper clippings should be photo copied or scanned. If you choose to keep original newspaper clipping be sure you separate it from all other records as the paper tends to be acidic and can do damage to photos, documents or other records.<br /><br />For electronic files, it is wise to have every file backed up, whether on separate flash drives or cloud storage. Be sure file names make clear what the record is, and date each record.<br /><br />You do not have to go to the lengths of a museum archivist. But if you have special family records, setting up a system for keeping them in order and undamaged will make all the difference to future generations.<br /><br />Here are sources that may be helpful to figure out what sort of system will work best for you.<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.timeforitnow.com/genealogy/book/preface/" style="font-weight: bold;">In a Pile or a File</a><br /><b><br /><a href="https://www.familytreemagazine.com/freebie/family-tree-tips-23-secrets-organize-genealogy/">Free e-book from FamilyTree Magazine:</a></b><br />23 Secrets to organize you genealogy</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: rgb(153 , 0 , 0);"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8a1f8swv_4">Podcast on How to Organize Family Papers - American Ancestors</a></b></span></span><br />
<br />LJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844447982186578533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071222864868652875.post-49096069179078649172011-04-09T12:36:00.000-07:002011-10-09T19:37:42.222-07:00SMALL WORLD<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-libw_Q4e4Sk/TaC3RfZBjLI/AAAAAAAAAPI/nELlQRCayrA/s1600/smallworld.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593672248306273458" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-libw_Q4e4Sk/TaC3RfZBjLI/AAAAAAAAAPI/nELlQRCayrA/s320/smallworld.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;">I do not believe in accidents. Things happen for a reason. I am sure of this. But sometimes the "coincidences" that occur in our lives really are amazing. Today I have been sorting through my boxes and drawers of family history files to try to put them into some kind of order. Tucked down in the side of one of those files was a letter I received from my uncle, Bob Krebs, at least 12 years ago. Scratched on the bottom of the letter is a name and phone number for a cousin of ours who lived in Las Vegas at the time and was interested in family history.</span><br /><div><div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">The name was Fred Ferrell, someone I remember very well. About 2001 I had an opportunity to visit with Fred in Phoenix when we got together for a family gathering and to share records. I also got to know his mother well, Bertha (Bert) Krebs Elwing. Some time after our initial meeting in Arizona I visited her again at her home in San Diego. I have a picture somewhere of the two of us together taken at the San Diego Zoo.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">"Aunt Bert" was the sister of my maternal grandfather, Louis Krebs. She provided me with several wonderful pictures of her siblings and told me stories about the family that were very precious to me. However, since I have moved about five times since our visits I had lost touch, and wasn't even sure if she was still alive. (She is, now 94!) Because of all my many transitions I figured the chances of Cousin Fred still having the same phone number my uncle had given me all those years ago were somewhere between slim and none, but I decided to take a chance. Fortunately for me, not everyone is as much of a tumbleweed as I am. Fred not only answered the phone after <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">just a couple rings, he immediately remembered who I was, even though we have been out of touch for quite some time. Then, as we talked I told him of a friend of my husband's who also lives in Las Vegas, someone we have just recently learned was living there that we hope to track down. My cousin Fred immediately knew who I meant, and had in fact PLAYED CARDS WITH THE MAN just the week before. They happen to attend the same ward. What are the odds of that??? So now I am thinking there is a trip to Las Vegas to be planned in the not too distant future so my beloved can reconnect with his boyhood pal and I will be able to make contact with my family</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. This is just one more proof to me that doing family history work will bring blessings IN THIS LIFE as well as in the world to come. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffffff;">It really is a very small world!</span></div></div></div>LJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844447982186578533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071222864868652875.post-16691292724238309992011-04-09T09:26:00.000-07:002011-11-06T10:47:49.009-08:00A Legacy to be Grateful For<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_i8CYr5k9Y/TaCI92zLCAI/AAAAAAAAAOw/R_RiEqGVFPQ/s1600/Nancy%2BKrebs%2BPendlety.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 301px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593621333457700866" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_i8CYr5k9Y/TaCI92zLCAI/AAAAAAAAAOw/R_RiEqGVFPQ/s400/Nancy%2BKrebs%2BPendlety.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;">My mother, Nancy Ann Krebs, was a remarkable lady. It is largely because of her efforts that I came to have an interest in family history research.</span><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Nancy was born December 5, 1930 - the second of five children and only daughter born to Louis Krebs and Florence Kurtz. She married my father, Donald Pendley on Christmas Day 1952 when she was twenty-two and he was twenty-four.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">After a miscarriage early on, Nancy and Don had five children in quick succession: Wayne in 1954, Andy in 1955, me (Lynda) in 1957, Alan in 1959 and Sharon in 1960</span>.</div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Nancy converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1956, the year before I was born. My dad also joined the church a bit later, but it didn't stick with him. He became inactive by the time I was very young and later had his name removed from the rolls of the church. My mom, however, did have a strong testimony, and did the best she could to live according to the teachings of the gospel. It was through the influence of the LDS church that my mother became interested in genealogy work.<br /><br />She wrote dozens of letters to people all over the country seeking information on various family lines. She placed ads in newspapers and magazines to try to make connections. Long before the Internet, she understood the importance of networking to extend family research.</span> </div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">My parents had a difficult, turbulent marriage that ended in divorce in 1970. I honestly don't have any memories of them ever being happy together, although I've been told they were in the early years. Beyond that, for much of my life my mom and I did not get along. During my stormy adolescent years we both said and did things that were hurtful to one another. Even after I was an adult with kids of my own, my mother and I were not close. Since I lived in a different state I seldom saw her and often went several months at a time with no contact at all. That was the case up until she died on December 21, 1983 at the age of fifty-three. </span> </div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Over the years since my mother's death I've had lots of time to think about her life and the challenges she faced. There is much I wish had been different, both for her sake and mine. But despite that, I am so grateful for the legacy she left me. It is because of my mother I was taught about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. My mother also made a special point to be sure all of her children valued education and had a special love of literacy. It is absolutely because of my mother that I care about family history work. She got me started with genealogy research, showing me how to fill out a pedigree chart and family group sheet when I was about ten years old. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Because I believe families can be eternal I have confidence that one day I will see my mother again. I will ask her forgiveness for the many unkind words that I said to her when I was growing up and I will frankly forgive her for the things she said and did that I once thought were so unforgivable. I have come to understand that we are all complicated people doing the best we can with what opportunities and obstacles get dealt to us. We all fall short of being our best selves. I know both my mother and I definitely did. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">One of the blessings of maturity is that finally I can put the resentments of the past behind me. Today I am very grateful for all the ways my life is blessed for having had Nancy Krebs Pendley as my mother. I will never completely understand what it was like for her to deal with her unhappy marriage, poverty, health problems, and other challenges she faced. Sadly, I know my mother did not have a very happy life. However, one of the things that did bring her much pleasure and satisfaction during her difficult life was doing genealogy. I hope that as I carry on the work that she began all those many years ago, that in some way she may be looking down and smiling.</span></div>LJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844447982186578533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071222864868652875.post-32213350259376683612011-03-08T12:19:00.000-08:002014-11-07T09:17:42.647-08:00Lesson 11 - Everybody Loves a Story<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TU8TGVpeUMI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/RYK4ph27vgU/s1600/SmartMormon.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TU8TGVpeUMI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/RYK4ph27vgU/s320/SmartMormon.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570692263691833538" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 303px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">A key lesson of family history research is the importance of incorporating journals, histories and family stories into our genealogy. When I took the genealogy class in my church our teachers, Quintin and Sue Phillips, illustrated this very well. The visual aid they used for an object lesson made perfect sense to me. Sue showed a list of the basic vital stats for one of her ancestors -Pattie Bartlett Sessions - date and place of birth, marriage and death. She then read some stories from a book based on the journals of that woman, a pioneer midwife with a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">To further reinforce the point, Quintin put out a plate of sliced homemade bread next to the book, representing something rich in taste and smell, fully nourishing. Next to the sheet of paper with the raw data he put a bowl of flour. It was a worthy beginning, but only the most basic ingredient of what it meant to "know" this person.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">I could not agree more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">Over the years I have done a fair amount of gathering of information on the Baldwin and Burlington families - ancestors to my children through my ex-husband's lines. I have been blessed with having found several wonderful aunts and uncles in that family who have been willing to continue to correspond with me and share information long after my short, chaotic first marriage was over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">One of those people is Roy Burlington of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. On several occasions Roy has generously shared copies of photographs and key information I would never have been able to find from any other source. However, until recently I've been so focused on getting to know the long dead who-begat-who of these families that I haven't really gotten to know much about the living, breathing man who was sending the information.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TU8Dxet6mLI/AAAAAAAAAJw/KsOY66aCWIU/s1600/02-06-%257E1%2B%25282%2529.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TU8Dxet6mLI/AAAAAAAAAJw/KsOY66aCWIU/s320/02-06-%257E1%2B%25282%2529.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570675412674713778" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 320px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 209px;" /></a></span><span style="font-size: 130%;">I wrote to Roy recently to tell him I would like to know more about HIM if he was willing to share some of his own stories. In response he sent me a copy of the book "<a href="http://www.paperbackswap.com/Diamonds-Water-Roy-Burlington/book/0965086844/"><b>Diamonds on the Water</b></a>" that he wrote in 2007. This book is a wonderful collections of stories, primarily of various fishing adventures set in upper Michigan, Alaska and Florida. Woven between the tales of pulling in big catches are wonderful gems which give a peek at Roy's experiences and values and a few snapshots of various family members. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">One such gem is this one, from page 13 where he is writing about his father, Ken Burlington: "I knew I was about to enter manhood at 10 years of age when he let me row the boat and bait m own hook. Just me and my Dad. He belonged to a generation of quiet fathers who seldom told their sons they loved them. They simply took them fishing." I'm only part way through the book so far, but I can tell already that it is going to be a treasure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">I am incredibly grateful to Roy for his sharing this whimsical, personal tale of life on the water, introducing me to friends and family members in a rich and meaningful way through stories.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">Tracking down names and dates of family history is important. But capturing the stories is what makes it come alive. </span><span style="font-size: 130%;">Quintin Phillips challenged the members of his family to each capture one family memory in 100 words or less. I think that is a great exercise. Not everyone is a natural writer. Some might be more comfortable simply talking into a tape recorder. We also talked about other means for keeping records - blogs, emails, notes on 3 x 5 cards, along with other possibilities. However it works for you, I would encourage you to record those stories of experiences that have been special to you - whether it be fish tales, testimony or about places you have visited. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">One of the stories my father-in-law, Fred Bennett, told that was of interest to me was of how he loaded hay using a "Johnson Fork". I did not grow up on a farm and had no idea what that was. Having him take the time to specifically describe what to him was a mundane, utilitarian tool helped me understand more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">I've also been fascinated by tales of what sort of medical or dental care were available to my grandparents or earlier ancestors. That makes me wonder what my great grandchildren might think of the story of my husband's recent hip replacement surgery - something I would just as soon forget, but might we well served to write down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">Things like how we travel, the price of groceries, how we like to cook or how we spend our time may seem pretty dull and boring today. However the world changes so very fast that even our most modern conveniences and what they mean to us may be an interesting detail to those reading it two or three generations from now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">Family history has a lot to do with doing research about long dead ancestors. However, it also can have plenty to do with recording our own lives in the here and now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">What stories do you want to record for your posterity?</span></div>
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LJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844447982186578533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071222864868652875.post-80515368516029019972011-03-06T11:25:00.000-08:002014-11-07T09:34:44.203-08:00Lesson 10 - Basic Research : Why We Need PROOF<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #330033;">There is a sign in the Family History library at my church which says: "Without Proof my family history would only be mythology."</span><br /><span style="color: #330033;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #330033;">Basic research means finding as many primary source documents as possible, and in the absence of those primary sources corroborating what we know about our family history with the best confirming documentation available.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #330033;">In terms of family history research, </span><b style="color: #330033;"><br /> "PRIMARY RESOURCES</b><span style="color: #330033;"> are those that record an event at or close to the time that it happened; original records of events may include: diaries, journals, state or federal census records, courthouse records such as deeds, will probates, birth or death records, baptism or marriage records. Also included in primary records would be ship's passenger lists and military records." </span></span><span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #330033;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://usgenweb.org/research/prim-sec-rec.shtml" style="color: #cc0000;">The USGenWeb Project)</a></span><span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span></span><br /><br /><b style="color: #330033;">SECONDARY RESOURCES, </b><span style="color: #330033;">on the other hand, are information that was recorded after the fact, usually by someone who was not present - quite possibly by someone who wasn't even alive at the time of the event the record is about. this may include "</span><span style="color: #330033;">Published records, including: family histories, indexes or compilations of census or marriage records, any sort of history (county, state, etc) and collections of cemetery inscriptions, for instance."</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://usgenweb.org/research/prim-sec-rec.shtml" style="color: #cc0000;">The USGenWeb Project)</a></span><span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;"><br /><span style="color: #330033;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #330033;">As mentioned in the previous lesson, collaboration in doing family history work is a GOOD thing. However, in light of the ease of communication which modern technology makes possible, there can be a temptation to rely too much on that collaboration by simply getting copies of what other kind people are willing to share without taking the time to verify information through the use of primary sources, or in the absence of those, the most reliable secondary sources possible.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #330033;">Fortunately, the technology available today also makes searching for primary sources easier than ever before.</span></span><span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;"><br /><span style="color: #330033;">For those looking for records in the Western United States,</span> </span><a href="http://abish.byui.edu/specialCollections/famhist/index.cfm" style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">BYU-Idaho Special Collections</span></a><span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><span style="color: #330033;">many marriage and death records as well as census records and a whole host of published manuscripts about various families.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #330033;">One source that was totally new to me was</span><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.genforum.genealogy.com/" style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Gen.Forum</span></a><span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;"> <span style="color: #330033;">This was of particular interest to me because of the information about immigration records which is a current concern of mine.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #330033;">To find records specific to any state in the USA you can check out what is available at </span></span><a href="http://usgenweb.org/" style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">USGENWEB.ORG</span></a><span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;"><br /><br /><span style="color: #330033;">I have very much enjoyed using various search tools to find information about my family lines. I have had some great successes at pushing the information I had started with back several generations which is exciting. However, until I can CONFIRM that information with corroborating documentation, it must be considered preliminary.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #330033;">Particularly when using FamilySearch, there are MANY errors in the data which come from multiple people with marginal understanding of proper research techniques combining individuals or inputting data without due diligence. While I appreciate the kind intent of folks who want to help, uploading information that has not been sufficiently proven and then trusting that all the details will get worked out in the Millennium simply isn't useful.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #330033;">Part of my goal for the coming months is to continue to extend what I know about my own family history. However, just as important will be the process of searching out documentation for what I already do know. By footnoting all of my records on Ancestry.com with scanned copies of the documents I have others following in my path or tying into my lines will be able to know that the information is accurate.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #330033;">As it says in the article</span> </span><a href="http://www.familyhistorysa.info/sourceaccuracy.html" style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Assembling an Accurate Family History</span></a><span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;"> <span style="color: #330033;">by Barry Leadbetter:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #330033;">To assemble an accurate family history one must:</span><br /><b style="color: #330033;">* </b><span style="color: #330033;">obtain each piece of information from as many independent sources as possible</span><br /><b style="color: #330033;">*</b><span style="color: #330033;">include primary sources where ever possible</span><br /><b style="color: #330033;">*</b><span style="color: #330033;">properly assess the accuracy of each source of information and</span><br /><b style="color: #330033;">*</b><span style="color: #330033;">resolve the inconsistencies, giving more weight to the sources assessed as most accurate</span></span>.<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><br /><span style="color: black;">With that in mind, I have added several new links to my resources side bar - sites to go to for primary resources for records pertaining to the Civil War, the Revolutionary War and passengers of the ship Mayflower. I am excited to explore and see what they have to offer!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;"><br /></span>LJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844447982186578533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071222864868652875.post-3377361234021302242011-02-27T16:04:00.000-08:002014-11-07T04:36:32.510-08:00Lesson 9 - Clean Up & Collaboration<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b-JMIX8JoE0/TWrt-NuPt_I/AAAAAAAAAN4/-oTBbhqeVTY/s1600/collaboration.bmp"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b-JMIX8JoE0/TWrt-NuPt_I/AAAAAAAAAN4/-oTBbhqeVTY/s400/collaboration.bmp" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578532741543081970" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 94px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 106px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">Doing family history research works best when it becomes a collaborative effort. </span><span style="font-size: 130%;">It is very common for people doing genealogy to discover other people working on the same lines so they can help each other by sharing information rather than duplicating efforts. However, that kind of collaboration can get sticky when we discover our information to be slightly different from what someone else may have. Which is accurate? How can we be sure?<br /><br />Sometimes those differences may be minor, such as a date of birth for some long dead ancestor being a week off one way or the other. Sometimes it is a big difference, like having a particular person listed in an entirely different family. When addressing the differences we find in our data, whether large or small, it is important to use tact and to give one another the benefit of the doubt.<br /><br />Using digital tools like FamilySearch or Ancestry.com provides a great way for people to contact each other to discuss issues about contradicting information so that the records posted there can be made as reliable as possible. Writing letters to others, making phone calls, or going to visit and share info can all be richly rewarding.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">Particularly when working in FamilySearch which allows other people to make changes to the information posted, it becomes especially key to take care in how we communicate and to appreciate one another's intentions even when some of the information showing may need some clean up.<br /><br />MOST online genealogy tools are closed, meaning that each person enters their data how they think it should be and no one else can touch it. If they have set their research to be made public, others can see their information which is great for collaboration. But if I am working in FindMyPast or Ancestry.com I cannot do anything to someone else's data base.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;">FamilySearch is a very different sort of program. The goal of FamilySearch is to create ONE big database for the human family that we each tie into. That means when I post a listing for my grandmother, that SAME post is what will appear for my cousins (for whom she is also their grandmother), for my aunts and uncles (for whom she is their mother) or for my grandfather (for whom she is his wife.). Any of us can go in and tinker with the spelling of the name, the date and place of key events, or post other notes, photos, documents, sources, etc.<br /><br /> It is all too easy to get our feathers ruffled if someone tells us our information is wrong or criticizes some change we made. Or, the flip side of that, some may initially get down right indignant if they see someone else has been making changes in the records that they originally posted. Particularly when someone has spent a lot of time and energy putting information into the system, or has a close personal bond to the family, it is only natural to feel somewhat territorial about how things appear.<br /><br />People approach doing family history work with all different skill levels. Sometimes mistakes will be made, even by the most skilled researchers. How we respond to those mistakes can make or break our future relationships with potential collaborators and can make the difference between having a great experience in doing family history work or one big knot of frustration.<br /><br />I really do believe that the potential for building stronger bonds between the living family members is as important a feature of FamilySearch as is the ability to record information about the dead. <br /><br />We all can learn from each other. Whether you are on the side of having the best, most accurate and complete information or on the side of having some records that could be improved - EVERYONE has something to contribute. The more we are open to sharing what we know and genuinely being willing to listen to and learn from others, the greater experience we will have.<br /></span></div>
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LJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844447982186578533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071222864868652875.post-11445713785605040702011-02-20T10:02:00.000-08:002014-11-07T03:53:32.538-08:00Lesson 8 - The Ten Minute Genealogist<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zhcY0GMwiuE/TWFXZu5IdqI/AAAAAAAAANg/7Pb_aWax8TI/s1600/clock.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zhcY0GMwiuE/TWFXZu5IdqI/AAAAAAAAANg/7Pb_aWax8TI/s320/clock.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575833913257391778" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 94px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 90px;" /></a> <span style="font-size: 130%;">One of the reasons some people are hesitant to begin working on family history is because they do not have the TIME to get serious about genealogy. Beyond that, they are afraid they will never see their dining room table again. For some people, working on family history projects has a way of taking over their life and space. But it doesn't have to be that way. Meaningful family history work can be done in manageable, bite size increments that can be kept neatly organized. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />The lesson in my family history class today was about doing family history in just 10 minutes a day. That's right. TEN MINUTES. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />The exact amount of time set aside may vary from person to person, depending on their own circumstances. For some it may be 10 minutes. For others it may be 30 minutes or an hour. However the principle is a good one. Instead of getting overwhelmed by the enormity of the task and not starting at all, or getting lost in one or two marathon sessions that we never return to, we can each set aside whatever amount of time fits for us and then incorporate regular periods of family history work into our daily life.<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">It really is amazing what a person can get accomplished in just a few minutes a day if they are willing to set aside a plan of action. How that plan will look will of course be customized to fit the individual. But here is one suggested process we talked about: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #990000;"></span><br />1. Set the timer</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #990000;"></span>2. Begin with a short prayer<br />3. Open the log you have created, and note what you will be working on that day. (This may be a simple notebook or a document in a word processing program. Use whatever works best for you. </span><span style="font-size: 130%;">)<br />4. Open whatever family history program you are using. This may be <br />FamilySearch, Ancestry.com, My Heritage or some other system. <br />5. Spend the time you have pre-determined on whatever task that you had planned. It might be checking census records for particular family members. It might be writing query letters (either by hand or online) to relatives. It might be viewing a tutorial video to learn something new. Each of those things are worthwhile and can be done in as little as 10 minutes.</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />6. STOP when your timer goes off. Don't say " Oh, I just need to do one more thing". There will ALWAYS be one more thing. Plan your time and then respect those limits. That makes it far more likely you will come back to it consistently and THAT is what will make all the difference.<br />7. Save and close your software<br /><span style="color: #990000;"></span>8. Close with prayer<br /><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">A KEY PRINCIPLE of the lesson today was that as Latter-day Saints, we are involved in a spiritual endeavor. MANY people outside the church do family history out of curiosity or from pride in their family history. That's great. But for us, it is something different. We believe we are undertaking a work that has the power to bind families together through the sealing power of sacred temple covenants. With that in mind, we should begin and end each session of family history work with prayer. Because we are doing work the Lord wants us to do we have the opportunity to ask for inspiration and personal revelation to guide us where we should go.<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">The other principle we talked about was the importance of </span><a href="http://elysesgenealogyblog.com/creating-a-research-log-the-why-how/"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><b>keeping a log</b></span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"><b>.</b> Especially because this method means committing to working in small, manageable bites it is critical that we stay on track. It is very easy to get distracted on different tangents. Also, if we don't leave a bread crumb trail of notes in a log sheet of what we checked already and what we plan to check on next we may forget where we've already been, leading to wasted effort as we follow the same trail again and again. Besides that, keeping a log allows us to see the progress we make, accumulating our accomplishments bit by bit, like marking a child's growth on the inside of a closet door. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />TIME IS UP. This entry took me about 10 minutes. What can YOU do in that time?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">Remember, it doesn't take a lot of time. It just takes a little time used well. As it says in Alma 37:6 "<i><b>Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances does confound the wise."</b></i></span></div>
LJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844447982186578533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071222864868652875.post-77678144717409214482011-02-13T16:10:00.001-08:002014-11-07T03:39:08.328-08:00Lesson 7 - ON Target : Setting Genealogy Goals<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jtxpEgIGIU8/TViJe0G3Q5I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/76r-EkfxJ6U/s1600/bullseye.bmp"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jtxpEgIGIU8/TViJe0G3Q5I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/76r-EkfxJ6U/s400/bullseye.bmp" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573355701347500946" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 133px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 144px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">In today's family history class we returned to the idea of goal setting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">We talked about some of the suggestions for genealogy goal setting that professional genealogist Jennifer Holik-Urban has posted online which can be found </span><a href="http://www.squidoo.com/setting-genealogy-goals"><span style="font-size: 130%;">HERE</span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">In some ways it seems logical to have specific outlines for what we hope to accomplish. After all, most worthwhile activities require some forethought and planning, perhaps the creation of something like the <span style="color: #990000;">...</span>M-O-A-L (Mother of All Lists) check list that Quintin Phillips uses when planning a white water rafting trip.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">However, one of the points we discussed was the difference between establishing specific goals and living in patterns that lead us toward what we want to achieve. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">I might have a GOAL to completely document all the principle players of my pedigree sheet for 10 generations. However, it is the pattern of continually seeking, learning, organizing, sharing that is what really matters. Whether I wind up with the information on every single person I planned to or not, that pattern will enrich my life and will help me accomplish a great deal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">This is more than just a matter of semantics. Goals are destination focused. Patterns are all about the process, the journey along the way. It is my hope to establish patterns that will guide me toward developing increased research skills and help me build relationships with others (extended family, fellow researchers, etc). Whether or not I get full documentation for all those generations....who knows? Sure, I aim to try. But I will consider myself to have SUCCEEDED when I have so completely ingrained the pattern of regularly engaging in research, networking and organizing records that it becomes as natural to me as brushing my teeth before I go to bed at night. If I can manage that, I have no doubt that tremendous breakthroughs will come my way despite having a few lines that today seem pretty much stuck.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">Nevertheless - Ms. Holik-Urban has some great ideas and resources for genealogy goal setting that I find very valuable to help me in my process of building patterns into my life:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">1) </span><a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Exploring-and-Creating-Genealogical-Goals"><span style="font-size: 130%;">EDUCATION </span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;">Goals- There are a variety of resources for workshops, classes, webinars and other learning opportunities to pick up new skills or sharpen expertise in doing family history research.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">Whether someone is interested in formal certificate programs such as those offered by </span><a href="http://ce.byu.edu/cw/cwgeneal/"><span style="font-size: 130%;">BYU</span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"> or the </span><a href="http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/individual_member_benefits"><span style="font-size: 130%;">National Genealogical Society </span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;">or a more casual approach such as setting aside a certain time to read books and journals, follow </span><a href="http://blogfinder.genealogue.com/"><span style="font-size: 130%;">genealogy blogs</span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;">, etc it just makes sense to commit one's self to learning all they can to be a more effective researcher.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">2) </span><a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Exploring-and-Creating-Genealogical-Goals-Part-II"><span style="font-size: 130%;">RESEARCH</span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"> Goals - Clearly there is a difference between "working on my family history" in a general way and trying to identify which ship John Burlington emigrated to America on and then to obtain a passenger list to seek the names of the three children I know died along the way. There is a time for casual meandering through records to get a feel for a family and a time for making specific lists of what information I am looking for so I can build a strategy for finding it. This is where specific research goals can really help. Ancestry.com has some </span><a href="http://learn.ancestry.com/LearnMore/article.aspx?id=11176"><span style="font-size: 130%;">good guidelines</span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"> for how to go about that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">3. </span><a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Exploring-and-Creating-Genealogical-Goals-Part-III"><span style="font-size: 130%;">ORGANIZATION</span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"> Goals - This is where I really need to focus over the next six months. Because I recently moved, all my family history records got stuffed into boxes and I have yet to set up an adequate </span><a href="http://www.suite101.com/reference/genealogy_filing_systems"><span style="font-size: 130%;">filing system</span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"> that meets my needs within the space and resources I have to work with. There are a lot of different ways to approach this. One that is important to me is to </span><a href="http://www.squidoo.com/digitizing-family-history"><span style="font-size: 130%;">digitize</span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"> all my records. Because I work full time and do some adjunct teaching at a community college on the side, I do not have a lot of discretionary time. Still, like eating an elephant, I can take on this mammoth job "one bite at a time" by committing to spend 20 minutes or an hour every weekend scanning the next stack of documents and photographs. I just need to DO IT.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">4. </span><a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Exploring-and-Creating-Genealogical-Goals-Part-IV"><span style="font-size: 130%;">WRITING</span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"> Goals - One of the reasons I feel so close to some of my ancestors is because some of them took the time to write about their lives. For a few others, there have been fascinating histories written by down downstream relations who researched their lives. </span><a href="http://www.thearmchairgenealogist.com/"><span style="font-size: 130%;">The Armchair Genealogist Blog </span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;">is a terrific resource for tips on writing personal or family histories. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />I've very much enjoyed working on writing OTHER people's histories. My own I've been more reluctant to take on, for a number of reasons. However, even if I never get around to writing an "official" history of my life, I console myself with the knowledge that my grandkids can always take a peek at my views and values, as well as some of the key events of my days by reading my various blogs:</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span><a href="http://mind-muffins.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Mind Muffins</span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;">(2006-2012)</span><br />
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<a href="http://life-by-design.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Life by Design</span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"> (2007-2009)</span></div>
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<a href="http://apprenticehuman.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Apprentice Human</span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"> (2006)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">5. </span><a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Exploring-and-Creating-Genealogical-Goals-Part-V"><span style="font-size: 130%;">NETWORKING</span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"> Goals - In this modern age of </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Genealogy/96653184251?v=wall#%21/pages/Genealogy/96653184251?v=info"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"> and </span><a href="http://wefollow.com/twitter/genealogy"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Twitter</span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"> some people forget about the good old fashioned form of networking - writing letters or going to visit. I have met many WONDERFUL people over the years who I found through seeking family records. Some were "shirt tail relatives" and others were not related at all. However, the things I learned from people like </span><a href="http://woodlands.lib.mi.us/van/britton.htm"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Bess Britton </span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;">in Van Buren County, MI or Cindy Allen in Salem OR are treasures I will never forget. I believe that as we share the spirit of Elijah with others who have an interest in family research, all our lives will be richly blessed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">So there you have it - that's a summary of the goal categories that </span><a href="http://www.suite101.com/profile.cfm/738120"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Jennifer Holick-Urban</span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"> shared in her work. Some may fit you well for your life while others you may choose to skip over for now. That's fine. The thing is, for too many people, the task of taking on a family history project can seem so big and complicated that they just get overwhelmed and do nothing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">When it comes to genealogy, like many other areas of my life, I try to remember the words of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Everett_Hale"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Edward Everett Hale </span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;">who said: " I am only one. But still, I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something I can do."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">Remember, the best, and only way to eat an elephant has always been one bite at a time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vOdaajXz4iw/TViJFC34KeI/AAAAAAAAAKI/RmlApTb1ZGA/s320/eating-the-whole-elephant.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573355258634578402" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 299px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></span></div>
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LJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844447982186578533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071222864868652875.post-61155506456105311432011-01-28T06:41:00.001-08:002015-08-12T16:23:02.195-07:00Lesson 6 - Documenting Sources<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TULVvWmo0KI/AAAAAAAAAIE/wx___xAcd1I/s1600/BURLINGTON%2Bsource%2Blist.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567247098881560738" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TULVvWmo0KI/AAAAAAAAAIE/wx___xAcd1I/s400/BURLINGTON%2Bsource%2Blist.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 268px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An important part of gathering family information is to document your sources. It really matters to record how you know what you know. One reason this important is to demonstrate that your information in reliable. Another is to help tease out where the problem is if your records don't exactly match up with someone else s.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Grandma Kurtz celebrated her birthday on July 18 every year. Her certified copy of birth record lists her birthday as June 29, 1881. I was told by my grandmother that the reason for the disparity is that babies were delivered in the county by a traveling doctor who came out to the various farms in the area and then later supplied a report to the folks at Vital Records at the end of each quarter. Grandmother suggested that the doctor may have gotten two babies mixed up, not remembering which night he delivered which baby. She said Gertrude's mother clearly knew when her daughter was born and the family information on the birth date should trump whatever the state record might claim.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What's a person to do? I have a copy of the certified record in my family history book with a note telling why I believe it is not accurate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because my great grandmother was considered a "local pioneer" and one of the oldest people in her community, there were write ups about her in local papers on her birthday each year. Because those are based on self report, they all list her birthday as being in July.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is it POSSIBLE she was born in June? I suppose. Does it matter? It did to my grandmother.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there are a series of statements that capsulize our core beliefs called "the Articles of Faith". One of those states: "We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly. We also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God." This acknowledges that while the Bible is a sacred record from inspired prophets, in all the many thousands of years of those records being handed down and then translated from one language to another, some errors have crept in along the way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just think - there is a BIG difference between celebrate and celibate. It doesn't take a very big mistake to change a lot of meaning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Likewise, in family records it is easy to transpose numbers or to hit a wrong key on a keyboard. If we rely entirely on Great Aunt Tilly's family history that has been handed down for generations without ever checking sources ourselves, it is possible to perpetuate mistakes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So check your data as much as it is reasonable to do so and leave a clear trail that proves where your information comes from.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Recording information based on personal memory is fine – you simply
ought to say that is where the information came from. Then, if or when other records come to light
which give a different date or place for some relative’s key life events,
future generations will have a better chance of knowing which information to
trust.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A worthwhile family history activity for those who live in places where
official documents or other written records are common is to periodically so searches
for “official proof” of the family information we already have. A great many records are now available online
which have made this process far easier than in the past.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For those who live in areas of the world where oral tradition is the
only record available it is especially important to get that information
written down, recording who gave the information and the date and place the
record was made. Your future descendants
will thank you for it.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;"><br />
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LJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844447982186578533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071222864868652875.post-48023430255010553842011-01-26T07:13:00.000-08:002015-08-12T15:47:08.160-07:00Lesson 5 - Planning Family Reunions<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TUA7Hcugx1I/AAAAAAAAAHE/NyLLCG_iJF0/s1600/5%2BGenerations.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566514138586335058" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TUA7Hcugx1I/AAAAAAAAAHE/NyLLCG_iJF0/s320/5%2BGenerations.jpg" style="float: left; height: 238px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In June of 1990 Ensign magazine published a short essay I wrote about the power of family reunions titled "<a href="http://classic.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=f0a42150a447b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD"><b>The Tapestry Called Family</b></a>". In that little story I talk abut family reunions that were held each year to celebrate the birthday of my great grandmother - Gertrude Anna Young Kurtz, who lived to be 102 years old.<br /><br />This picture is from her 100th birthday party showing five generations of our family. (Left to right: me , then my mother (Nancy Krebs Pendley Powell), Grandma Kurtz (Gertrude Anna Young Kurtz), my grandmother (Florence Kurtz Krebs) and down in front my two sons, Aaron and Forest Baldwin. )</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All of my life my Grandma Kurtz was the oldest person I had ever met. As a young girl, I could not imagine her ever having been like me or that I might ever be as old as she. However, as I say in my essay, through family reunions I began to see her as a whole person rather than an "ancient curiosity". Those family reunions helped me develop a strong sense of identity as a member of our clan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TUBDhuYGb0I/AAAAAAAAAHs/EYaGcSTWv9g/s1600/encanto%2Bpark%2Breuinon.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566523386093793090" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TUBDhuYGb0I/AAAAAAAAAHs/EYaGcSTWv9g/s320/encanto%2Bpark%2Breuinon.jpg" style="float: right; height: 233px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px;" /></a><br />On my father's side of the family we got together far less often. However, the few times we did left a lasting impression. My father was one of nine children and each of those nine had several children of their own, so I had lots of cousins. We were a large and boisterous clan given to lots of drama. Whereas my mother's people were generally more reserved, my dad's relatives were very intense. </span><br />
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Uncle Tom always wanted to argue politics. My Aunt Marge had once lived in Bermuda and had somewhat of a mysterious past. Somewhere between the nine there was usually some feud going on. The backbone of that family, however was the heritage to my pioneer grandparents and the sense of attachment we all had to the ranch they homesteaded in Oak creek, AZ. Even though many of us traveled far and wide and ended up living in other parts of the country, that ranch and the many stories of that place were a part of us all.<br /><br />Just as all families are different, each family gathering will be unique, depending on what you want it to be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are a number of online resources with tips for how to organize a family reunion. Here are just a few:</span><br />
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<a href="http://genealogy.about.com/od/family_reunions/Planning_the_Perfect_Family_Reunion.htm"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>About.Com</b></span></a><br />
<a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/how-to-organize-a-family-reuion"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Hub.com</b></span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.scrapjazz.com/topics/Themes/Family/2290.php"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Scrapjazz</b></span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.temple.edu/fri/familyreunion/organize.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Temple University</b></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some reunions will involve just a small group, such as when I gathered my siblings and their spouses together last summer.</span><br />
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566520816658352914" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TUBBMKe9CxI/AAAAAAAAAHc/JJ4eD4geOKY/s320/Sibs%2B%2526%2BSpice%2B-%2BJuly%2B2010.jpg" style="display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 107%;">Others will be multi-generational affairs including larger groups. Some
families only get together every few years, especially when family members live
at far distances from each other.</span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 107%;">Others
find it works best to have a regular time for gathering, acknowledging not
everyone will make it every time.</span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 107%;">My husband’s family gather together every year
on the Saturday before Memorial Day.</span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 107%;">We
all know that is when it will be so we can plan our work and travel schedules
accordingly.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TUBCBD7rB4I/AAAAAAAAAHk/paJmV0jF8Rg/s1600/Fred%2BBennett%2527s%2B80th%2BParty%2B-%2B1999.jpg"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566521725432825730" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TUBCBD7rB4I/AAAAAAAAAHk/paJmV0jF8Rg/s320/Fred%2BBennett%2527s%2B80th%2BParty%2B-%2B1999.jpg" style="float: left; height: 259px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whether you want to have something simple in an informal setting or a more structured reunion with time for creating a formal family organization is up to you.<br /><br />At the annual Bennett gatherings each family group taking turns for who has the responsibility for organizing and providing the main dish for the meal. Everyone else brings pot luck salads and desserts.<br /><br />Some families choose to make it easy by having their reunions catered. This can be especially helpful when there are a lot of people traveling long distances. It's a bit hard to bring a casserole if you are driving cross country or coming by plane.<br /><br />There is room for many different styles in family reunions. Some have talent shows or games with a family theme. One year we had a family auction and raised money for a family member with major medical expenses. The important thing is that you plan well and be open to suggestions from others.<br /><br />This summer I hope to gather the cousins from my father's family in a Pendley Cousin Reunion. I know that not everyone will be able to come. But I am starting now to get the ball rolling so that I can organize a reunion that will hopefully be meaningful to as many as can make it. I will also create a "Cousin Directory" with photos and contact information of the entire tribe which will be distributed to everyone in the family, so whether they are actually at our gathering this year or not, hopefully they will begin to feel a bit more connected to the family.<br /><br />When was the last time you had a family reunion? Maybe it's time to start planning the next one!</span>LJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844447982186578533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071222864868652875.post-37755127044506529682011-01-25T18:51:00.000-08:002015-08-12T14:52:52.398-07:00Lesson 4 - Identifying Family Photos<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TT-eyiEfenI/AAAAAAAAAGI/rZOZMdE3W50/s1600/unknown%2BBaldwin2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566342255429515890" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TT-eyiEfenI/AAAAAAAAAGI/rZOZMdE3W50/s320/unknown%2BBaldwin2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 182px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px;" /></a> <span style="color: white; font-size: 130%;">We all have them. Somewhere in a box or drawer there are old family photos of people we have absolutely no idea who are.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">One of the saddest and most frustrating parts of family research is coming across wonderful old family photos that no one alive remembers who they are of.<br /><br />Sometimes we don't have any clues to go on at all. Other times there are cryptic inscriptions such as "mother's cousins". WHOSE mother? What cousins? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">On more than one occasion I have pounded my head against a wall trying to identify people in old photographs that had been passed down with no notes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">Other times we may know EXACTLY who is in the photo, but have no context in which to place them. For instance, mixed in a drawer with other family photos belonging to my great-grandmother was an image of a handsome young man in a bow tie with the inscription "Leslie Bostwick" written on the back. For YEARS my mother and grandmother both poured over old correspondences, bible lists and family charts trying to figure out where this man fit in to our clan. It was all in vain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"> Finally, when my great-grandmother was about 102 years old she finally admitted with a sheepish grin her secret of all those years. "He was my old beau." So he wasn't related at all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">On other occasions we will come across pictures that we know who is in and even where they belong in our family, but no one will be able to remember the when or the where or what the occasion was of the picture. That can be truly maddening!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">I am deeply indebted to my grandchildren's OTHER grandmother. She was totally faithful in ALWAYS writing the name, date and place on the back of every family snapshot...something that I, alas, was not. I have been able to figure out several of my own family photographs only by comparing them to hers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">If you have old family photos you cannot quite pin down, there are a number of ways to find clues to guide you. Try </span><a href="http://www.familytreemagazine.com/upload/photos/previouscols.htm"><span style="font-size: 130%;">THIS LINK </span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;">for tips on how to sleuth your way to answers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">In order to properly tag family photos you have now for future reference, there are a number of methods. On of my favorites is taken from an old photo of a family reunion held at the George Cook home in Summit County, Ohio which was taken around 1910 (judging from the estimated age of the child who would grow up to be my grandmother, Florence Kurtz Krebs, and the fact that her mother was wearing black which would be appropriate considering her oldest child died in 1910.) This is the picture:</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TT-TRGqJ91I/AAAAAAAAAF4/fLcl8iZL5J8/s1600/Old%2BReunion%2BPhoto.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566329586507708242" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TT-TRGqJ91I/AAAAAAAAAF4/fLcl8iZL5J8/s400/Old%2BReunion%2BPhoto.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 311px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">And THIS was my grandmother's method for keeping track who was at that long ago reunion:</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TT-S_BqVUkI/AAAAAAAAAFw/k43z87FSCUg/s1600/Old%2BReunion%2BPhoto%2BKey%2B-%2BNAMES.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566329275928629826" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TT-S_BqVUkI/AAAAAAAAAFw/k43z87FSCUg/s320/Old%2BReunion%2BPhoto%2BKey%2B-%2BNAMES.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 320px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 229px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">She took a long sheet of heavy paper and made a hole with a pencil that fit precisely over each face in the photo. She numbered those holes and then made a list of the names. I can still hold that aging old card stock over the photograph and see the faces line up by their corresponding numbers. BLESS YOU forever, dear grandma. Finding this in her papers was like finding the Rosetta Stone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">These days I am converting most of my old pictures to digital format by scanning and labeling each one. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Now that we can load photos
onto FamilySearch.org those photos will be preserved indefinitely, regardless
of what happens to the originals. They
are also </span><span style="font-size: 18.6666660308838px; line-height: 19.9733333587647px;">publicly</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> available so all the cousins for generations to come will
get the blessing of sharing them.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">For those who are somewhat techie inclined there are various on line programs for sorting and storing photos such as </span><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Identify-and-Tag-Your-Family-Photographs-With-fotobounce"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Fotobounce.</span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"> This is a great tool if you have LOTS of pictures to label with the same people being in a number of different views. You start identifying faces. The software then sorts through all the images in your collection and looks for possible matches. Of course, it still requires you to confirm or deny the match the machine thinks is the right one. And there COULD be confusion over family members with very similar features. But it has a simple facial recognition system that can save a lot of time, depending on the collection you have to work with.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">Some folks, however, want nothing to do with computers. That's fine. Do what fits YOU best.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">For writing directly on the backs of photographs your best bet it to use an acid free archival quality pen which can be purchased </span><a href="http://www.webyfl.com/archivalphotomarkingpen.aspx"><span style="font-size: 130%;">HERE</span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"> for $5.99 You can also find these at any store that carries a good selection of scrap booking supplies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">Whatever method works best for you, just remember the old Chinese proverb: "The palest ink is better than the best memory." There are many ways of doing it - but find a method that works for you so that pictures of you and your immediate family do not one day wind up in an old shoe box marked "No one knows who".</span></div>
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LJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844447982186578533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071222864868652875.post-47264238406132139662011-01-24T18:39:00.000-08:002011-10-25T19:02:13.582-07:00Lesson 3: Creating an Individual or Family Timeline<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TT4-vvXndzI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/F7oS7k7pwdQ/s1600/Timeline-for-Benjamin-Franklin.gif"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 195px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565955179366807346" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TT4-vvXndzI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/F7oS7k7pwdQ/s400/Timeline-for-Benjamin-Franklin.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">One way to make an interesting family record is to create a visual timeline. This can be done to represent one specific individual's life or to tell the story of generations.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">This can be done as simply or as elaborately as you choose. For a simple timeline all you need is a straight line and something to write with on a long sheet of paper. (See example above).<br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Another approach would be to use one of the many online tools for creating timelines, such as </span><a href="http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/graphicmap/"><span style="font-size:130%;">Graphic Map. </span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">The idea here is to use whatever tools and material are available to you to create a visual representation of a life (your own or one of your ancestors) or to create a represention of the events of multiple generations within your family.<br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">This can also be a great way to get young children or teens involved in learning that family history can be fun. If you have an artistic flair and a sense of adventure, involve the whole family in the following:<br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Begin with large piece of poster board , construction paper or a piece of blank butcher paper. Make a horizontal line at the mid point of the paper and then mark off units of time (single years or by decades - you decide what best meets your needs.) If your timeline is for a single lifepath you will begin with year of birth. If you are making a chart for several generations it could begin with date of a marriage, date of emigration, whatever event you choose. Get creative! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Next you will glue on photos, words and symbols in the area of the paper above the line to represent significant happenings. (Make color photo copies of family photographs or print them off on a computer so you can add your special images without harming the originals, of course.) Add bits of fabric, glitter, and paint if you want to make it really fancy. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">You can explore online clip art to find symbols you may want to use to represent the basics such as births, marriages and deaths or for homes, schools, jobs, and any special accomplishments you want to portray (this could be anything from an Eagle Scout award to running your first marathon!)</span></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">You may want to splurge with alphabet macaroni, glitter, beads, buttons and other objects that can be used to adorn your personal or family timeline. When it is complete, hang the timeline where all the family can admire it and be reminded of both the events portrayed in your masterpiece AND the special time you had together as a family being creative. Perhaps telling about the time you all got together and made the family timeline will be one of the special memory stories that will be passed down for generations to come.</span></div>LJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844447982186578533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071222864868652875.post-647142349177342762011-01-24T06:50:00.002-08:002020-10-01T12:48:25.421-07:00Lesson 2: Writing Personal Histories<span style="font-size: 130%;">A key part of creating meaningful family records has absolutely nothing to do with tracking down dates of long dead ancestors. A vital part of what we do as genealogists is to begin with creating a record of our own lives by keeping journals and writing personal histories.<br /><br />Let's face it, the bare-bones details of when people were born, married and died can be pretty boring. After all, the most boring part of the bible is the sections that are all who-begat-who. Does anyone really care? It is only when photographs, stories, correspondences and other information is found that I really begin to get connected to my ancestors.<br /><br />It is important that I do not overlook my own history while I am busy searching out information for my kindred dead. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">Some time ago I posted a list of questions over on one of my other blogs that can be quite useful in writing a personal history. I gave these questions to my father-in-law years ago. He made a practice of writing down the answer to just one or two questions every Sunday afternoon. When he got them all done he gave them back to me and I typed them up. This gave us a wonderful record of his life and history that is a real treasure to have.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;">I used those same questions as a "get acquainted" game in an empty nesters family home evening gathering. I cut the questions into strips and had everyone in the group pick a question out of the bowl which we then all answered out loud. It was a lot of fun. So however you may want to use them, the link to my list of questions is <a href="http://mind-muffins.blogspot.com/2010/03/questions.html"><b>HERE.</b></a><br /><br />Here are a couple other resources about how to write a life story:<br /></span><a href="http://www.familyhistoryquickstart.com/writing-your-personal-history/"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Family History Quick Start</span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span><a href="http://www.your-life-your-story.com/"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Your Life is Your Story</span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 130%;">The important thing to remember in writing a personal history is that you don't have to write about your WHOLE life. Just begin telling stories of things that you recall. Then write another. And another. Over time you can arrange these stories either topically or chronologically to weave a story of your life. The important thing is to GET STARTED!</span>LJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844447982186578533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071222864868652875.post-82757284161362940672011-01-23T16:12:00.000-08:002014-11-07T03:15:19.919-08:00LESSON 1 - WHY Genealogy?<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TTzj3HhLpxI/AAAAAAAAADI/rXy9AIWHDl0/s1600/family-tree2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TTzj3HhLpxI/AAAAAAAAADI/rXy9AIWHDl0/s400/family-tree2.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565573775573624594" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 206px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 244px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">There are many reasons why people get interested in genealogy. Some people come to it out of curiosity. Some do it out of appreciation for their cultural heritage. Others begin searching for information about their medical history.<br /><br />As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have a different motivation. My faith teaches that family bonds are eternal. I believe that I will continue my family relationships in the life to come. In addition, the doctrine of my faith teaches that through sacred ordinances performed in holy temples, those who never knew of or fully understood the teachings of Jesus Christ during their mortal lifetimes can be given the opportunity to have the blessings of the gospel. So I feel a real sense of responsibility to seek out my deceased ancestors.<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://classic.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=12b07fae6f3eb010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD"><b>Elder Boyd K. Packer</b></a> said: "Family history work has the power to do something for the dead. It has an equal power to do something for the living. Family history work of Church members has a refining, spiritualizing, tempering influence on those who are engaged in it." I have a testimony those words are true.<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;">Members of the <a href="http://lds.org/?lang=eng"><b>Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</b></a> are taught that we can act as "Saviors on Mount Zion" for our ancestors by seeking out essential information about our kindred dead and performing sacred ordinances for them in the <a href="http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/"><b>Temples</b></a> of the Lord.</span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />On the church's website, in the section on Family History Work & Genealogy it says:<br />"In the spirit world, the restored gospel is preached to those who died without receiving it in mortality. Many of those in the spirit world accept the gospel, but without a body they cannot receive the ordinances necessary for salvation. The primary purpose of family history work is to obtain names and other genealogical information so that temple ordinances can be performed in behalf of deceased ancestors." Found <b><a href="http://classic.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?locale=0&sourceId=85a60bbce1d98010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=bbd508f54922d010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD">HERE</a></b></span><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />Over the years I have done quite a bit of family history research. Back when I was a young stay-at-home mother I worked hard to fit it in between managing my busy household and kissing scraped knees. Even when my kids got older, as a harried graduate student I somehow found time to make it over to the local family history library to search through old microfilm files or to locate cemeteries where I could track down critical dates. However, in the last 10-15 years I've done very little family history work. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;">Alas, too often I have allowed the demands of my professional work life to take precedence. Also, having essentially found all the "low hanging fruit" I became discouraged when I kept running in to dead ends after going back about six generations. So, little by little, I gradually slipped away from my steady routine of working on my genealogy projects. I would pick at it it fitful bursts of energy now and again, but it was no longer a regular part of my life. Then, when I moved to a different state it all got crammed into boxes and has not been looked at since.<br /><br />There is a time and season for everything, they say.<br />I am determined that my time for doing regular family history work is back. I do want to do more original research. For now, however, my main focus will be on reorganizing the information I already have and saving it all onto the web so that it will be available to others who care to share it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;">I have a STRONG testimony of WHY to do family history work. Now it is time for me to start over at square one to re-learn HOW to do it. The tools have all changed since last time I was taking this seriously. My records are a hodge podge mess in the boxes they were hastily shoved in to at my last move. It's time for me to take them all out and get them organized. It's time for me to learn some new skill sets in research. This blog will be my way of holding myself accoutable during the process of the class I am starting and to record the resources I find.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><br />REFERENCES:</span><a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/127.4-10?lang=eng#3"><span style="font-size: 130%;">D & C 127:4-10</span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"><br /></span><a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/138?lang=eng"><span style="font-size: 130%;">D & C 128: 15-18<br />D & C 138 </span></a><br /><a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/ot/mal/4.5-6?lang=eng#4"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Malachi 4:5-6</span></a></div>
LJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844447982186578533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071222864868652875.post-1815541613430164102011-01-22T23:53:00.000-08:002011-10-25T20:05:29.350-07:00Is Microfilm Obsolete??<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TT6ICKWzuDI/AAAAAAAAAFY/PhR1P22_HDM/s1600/microfilm.bmp"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 121px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 66px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566035760197646386" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TT6ICKWzuDI/AAAAAAAAAFY/PhR1P22_HDM/s400/microfilm.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">I recently read a post about microfilm soon to be discarded at the National Archives at New York City. They have a long list of records they will keep, but they also have two pages of lists of microfilm records they are looking to donate if they can find any interested takers.<br /><br />Apparently these are records that are otherwise available online or are duplicates of other collections.<br /><br />These are things like:<br />Passenger Lists of Chinese Arrivals at British Columbia, Canada Jan 1906 - June 1912<br />Federal Mortality Census Schedules 1850-1880<br />World War 1 Draft reg. cards<br />Index to passenger lists of vessels arriving at Boston, MA July 1, 1906 - Dec 31, 1920<br /><br />(To see the full list on a PDF file go </span><a href="http://www.archives.gov/northeast/nyc/2010-june-1-microfilm-list.pdf"><span style="font-size:130%;">HERE </span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">and go to last two pages)<br /><br />Apparently they are willing to donate it for the price of shipping it.<br />Contact information is:<br />David Powers at </span><a href="mailto:david.powers@nara.gov"><span style="font-size:130%;">david.powers@nara.gov</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> or Diane Leblanc at </span><a href="mailto:diane.leblanc@nara.gov"><span style="font-size:130%;">diane.leblanc@nara.gov</span></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">or call (781) 663-0130 or write to: Frederick C. Murphy Federal Center, 380 Trapelo Rd, Waltham, MA 02452.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">As more and more information gets digitized and is easily indexed by computer there is a tendency to think that microfilm will go the way of the buggy whip. But in truth, there are only two kinds of computers - those that have already crashed at some point or those that are waiting to do so. Files can be corrupted. Data can be lost. Microfilm is a stable record that can last for many years if cared for properly.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">I do hope some nice library somewhere will make a home for the films being passed on by the National Archives. The very idea of it ending up in the dust bin makes me shudder all the way down to my bones!</span></div>LJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844447982186578533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071222864868652875.post-20316226725576150832011-01-21T15:18:00.000-08:002011-10-25T20:16:53.886-07:00Who Was Elijah?<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TTzbh5Or6AI/AAAAAAAAADA/GfvLygADENI/s1600/elijahchariot.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 321px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 390px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565564614867675138" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5sGlFTbQyHw/TTzbh5Or6AI/AAAAAAAAADA/GfvLygADENI/s400/elijahchariot.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Elijah was an important Israelite prophet whose name in Hebrew means "My Lord is Jehovah" . Eliljah lived during the first half of the 9th century, BCE. His first recorded appearance is about halfway through the rein of King Ahab, son of Omri, (who founded the northern kingdom in Samaria) which would put him at about 864 BCE.<br /><br />Elijah is regarded as a "reformer prophet" - his purpose was to call the Israelites back to the worship of Yahweh and away from the evil pagan religious cults that were growing in popularity. The conflicts between Elijah and the Priests of Baal are struggles to see which was stronger: Hebrew monotheism or Pagan polytheism.<br /><br />According to 2 Kings, Elijah was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire. Jewish tradition has it then that Elijah is not really dead-- some say he continues to wander the earth and will reappear when it is time to announce the arrival of the Messiah. For this reason many early Christians identified John the Baptist with Elijah, because John announced the arrival of Jesus.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">(<span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">From Profile & Biography of Elijah, Old Testament Prophet & Biblical Figure by Austin Cline which can be found</span> </span><a href="http://atheism.about.com/od/biblepeopleoldtestament/p/Elijah.htm">HERE</a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">)</span><br /><br />In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we recognize Elijah as the Prophet who held the sealing power to bind on earth and have it bound in heaven.<br /><br />In Malachi 4:5-6 it says: "Behold I will send you Elijah the Prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he shall turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the children to their fathers, least I come and smite the earth with a curse."<br /><br />Many leaders in our church have taught powerful lessons about "the Spirit of Elijah", referring to the privilege and responsibility we have to seek out information about our kindred dead and act as "Saviors on Mount Zion" in their behalf through sacred temple covenants. </span><span style="font-size:100%;">(<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" >See Priceless Riches of the Holy Temple by Harold B. Lee</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> </span></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/6197a7c1d20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=88021b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD">HERE</a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">)<br /></span><br />I have been richly blessed by a burning desire to learn more about my family and to complete temple ordinances in their behalf. This blog will be my record of my ongoing search for new ways to find family information and a place to keep links to the various resources I turn up.<br /></span><br />Photo Credit: Elisha Watches as Elijah is Taken Up in a Whirlwind by Dore' Gustave found <a href="http://www.biblical-art.com/artwork.asp?id_artwork=29980&showmode=Full">HERE</a><br /><br />Additional References:<br /><a href="http://classic.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=02e28fbe352fe010VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD#footnote1">Hearts Bound Together - by Henry B. Eyring May 2005</a><br /><a href="http://classic.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=f7b89527730eb010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD">The Spirit of Elijah - by Gordon B. Hinkley Nov 1996</a><br /><a href="http://classic.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=d2de3ff73058b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD">The Spirit of Elijah - by Russell M. Nelson Nov 1994</a><br /><a href="http://classic.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=6b17945bd384b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD">The Mission of Elijah - by Mark E. Peterson Aug 1981<br />Elijah the Prophet - by Howard W. Hunter December 1971</a>LJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844447982186578533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071222864868652875.post-27387167855374372962000-10-01T12:39:00.001-07:002020-10-01T12:43:08.511-07:00Questions for Writing your Life Story<p> <strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">CHILDHOOD</span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br />
What was your favorite pastime as a child? Did you prefer doing it alone or
with someone else ?<o:p></o:p></p>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">---------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
Describe the house you grew up in. Where was it?<br />
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Describe your yard as a child.<br />
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What toys did you play with as a child?<br />
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What games did you play as a child?<br />
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Were you responsible for household chores? What were they? What did<br />
you like most or least?<br />
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How much was your first allowance? Was it conditional, when did it start?<br />
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Tell about any pets you had as a child.<br />
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Tell about your neighbors as a child.<br />
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Tell about school ( special teachers, friends, achievements,<br />
activities, or humorous situations).<br />
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Describe a sound from your childhood.<br />
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What smell do you remember from your childhood?<br />
___________________________________________<br />
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?<br />
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What do you remember about stores when you were a child? Can you<br />
recall shopping with mother?<br />
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Describe the downtown of your childhood.<br />
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Did you take any special lessons a child?<br />
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Do you recall any special summer trips or vacations when you were<br />
growing up?<br />
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What were you afraid of as a child?<br /><p class="MsoNormal">----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
What mischief did you get into as a child?<br />
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Did you ever steal as a child? If so, were you caught? What happened?<br />
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What do you remember about Easter as a child?<br />
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Tell about a fourth of July from your childhood.<br />
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Tell about Halloween as a child.<br />
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Tell about Thanksgivings when you were growing up.<br />
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What do you remember about Christmas as a child?<br />
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Describe getting a Christmas tree as a child.<br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>YOUTH</strong><br />
<br />
What do you remember about yourself as a teenager. What was important<br />
to you?<br />
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Describe a typical school day during your junior high years.<br />
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<p class="MsoNormal">Describe the fashions that were popular when you were a
youth. What is popular now?<br />
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Describe your favorite dress or a special outfit you wore as a youth.<br />
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Tell about any exciting experiences in scouting or any clubs you were<br />
a member of as a youth.<br />
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Tell about how, when and where you learned to drive.<br />
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Tell about your first crush. What was he or she like?<br />
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Did you develop any particular talents (art, music, dance, sports, handiwork,
etc) during your youth?<br />
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<br />
Who did you admire during your youth?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">---------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
What were your goals? Did you have any
particular career in mind? If so, did
you pursue it or take a different path?<br />
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Tell about a trip to the dentist.<br />
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Tell about the medical care you had while growing up - How does this<br />
compare to today?<br />
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If you went to college, describe the experience. If not, tell whatyou were
doing in your 20's.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">----------------------------------------------------------------------<strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><o:p> </o:p></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE</strong><br />
<br />
Tell about your courtship<br />
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How did you become engaged?<br />
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Tell about your wedding. Where was it? Who was there? Was there a<br />
reception? <br />
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Describe your wedding dress (or wife’s wedding dress).<br />
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What were your fears, expectations, anticipations, etc. about getting<br />
married?<br />
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What convinced you most in your choice of a spouse?<br />
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How did you meet your in-laws? Describe your relationship with them.<br />
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Describe your first home or apartment on your own or when newly married.<br />
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<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><o:p> </o:p></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>FAMILY</strong><br />
<br />
Tell about your Mother. (Describe physically, her personality,<br />
talents, role in your home. How did she
spend her day?)<br />
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Describe your father. What was he like physically? What work did he<br />
do? Personality?<br />
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Tell about your parent’s philosophy of raising children, discipline,<br />
rules, etc.<br />
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Tell about your brothers and sisters.<br />
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Describe your grandparents.<br />
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Describe a night at Grandma’s house.<br />
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Tell about a favorite relative.<br />
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Tell about any ancestors you have heard special stories of.<br />
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Tell about property your family owned.<br />
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What were your family finances like as a child? How did that effect you?<br />
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Tell about anything you may have inherited from a family member.<br />
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Tell about the birth(s) of your child(ren).<br />
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Tell about each of your children’s names and how they were chosen.<br />
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Describe your relationship(s) with your child(ren).<br />
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Tell about a humorous or clever thing one of your children said.<br />
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Tell about a family crisis and how it was resolved.<br />
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Tell about family feuds and how they were or were not resolved.<br />
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Tell about your feelings toward your grandchildren.<br />
------------------------------------------------------------------.<b><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>CAREER </strong><br />
<br />
Describe your first paying job. What was your salary?<br />
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Tell about the places you have worked. <br />
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Tell your feelings about the work you have done. If you were to start<br />
all over, what work would you choose?<br />
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<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>LIFE EXPERIENCES<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Describe any sports you have played.<br />
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Were you ever in a theatrical production? Tell about it.<br />
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Do you speak a foreign language? If so, how did you learn? If not<br />
would you like to? Why?<br />
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Have you ever won a contest or a special prize?<br />
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Were you ever in the military? If so, when and where did you serve?<br />
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Describe the influence of wars on your life.<br />
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Where were you on an important day in history?<br />
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Tell about a special trip taken as an adult.<br />
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Tell about some of the changes you’ve seen during your life (technology,<br />
fashion, politics, etc.)<br />
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Tell about tools you have used.<br />
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Describe an invention which impressed you during your life.<br />
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Have you ever tried anything really dangerous? How did it feel?<br />
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Tell about a dramatic experience involving weather.<br />
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Have you ever had a serious injury? Describe how it happened and tell of your
recovery.<br />
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Tell about some special challenge which you were able to overcome.<br />
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Tell about a camping trip you went on.<br />
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Tell about any hobbies or collections you have or have had.<br />
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Tell about your first car. What type of car do you have now? What<br />
kind of car would you like?<br />
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Describe a parade you were in or one you saw.<br />
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Tell about animals you raised.<br />
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Tell about a garden you have had.<br />
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Describe the typical groceries you buy today and tell what they cost.<br />
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Describe how travel has changed during your life.<br />
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How do you celebrate Christmas now? Do you have any special<br />
traditions that are meaningful? If so, why?<br />
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Describe how you celebrate other holidays now.<br />
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What was your most embarrassing moment?<br />
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Tell about a favorite fishing experience .<br />
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Tell about a city you have visited.<br />
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Tell about the coldest winter you can remember.<br />
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Tell about any natural disaster you may have experienced,<br />
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Tell about a significant loss you experienced.<br />
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Tell about a funeral you attended.<br />
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Describe a turning point in your life.<br />
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Tell about a special gift which you received.<br />
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Describe a dream you have had.<br />
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Tell about a gift which you gave someone else that you have special feelings
about.<br />
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Tell about the strangest food you ever ate.<br />
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Describe the house where you live now.<br />
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Describe your yard where you live now<br />
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Describe your life today.<br />
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Describe yourself physically.<br />
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Do you have a special talent or skill?<br />
<b><br />
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<!--[endif]--></b><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>RELIGION</strong><br />
<br />
When did you first go to church? What are your earliest memories of church?<br />
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What kind of prayer did you say before you went to sleep? Who taught you to
pray?<br />
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Tell about religious practices in your home when you were growing up.<br />
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How do you feel about religion now?<br />
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Describe your beliefs about God.<br />
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What is one of your favorite scriptures, and why?<br />
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Tell about influential spiritual/religious leaders you may have met or how a<br />
particular church teacher influenced you.<br />
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If you could meet any spiritual leader (living or dead) who would it be and
why?<br />
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Describe your conversion to the gospel.<br />
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Tell about an experience when you shared the gospel with another person.<br />
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Tell about an experience when you stood up for what you believed was right.<br />
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Describe your Sabbath days<br />
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Tell about a faith promoting experience from your life.<br />
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Record your testimony.<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY</strong><br />
<br />
How do you feel about politics?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
What kind of music do you like now? Do you recall any special type<br />
of music from childhood?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
What do you think about television? Do you have any favorite shows?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
How do you feel about winning? How do you feel about losing?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
What do you think brings good or bad luck?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
What personality trait do you admire most, and why?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
Tell about your philosophy for handling money.<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
What is your greatest joy? Your greatest sorrow?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
What was the best advice you ever got? Did you follow it?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
What is the biggest lesson in life you have found to be true?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How do you feel about reading? What did you read as a child?
What do you read now?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
What would you like to be doing five years from now? Ten years from now?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
Describe your attitudes towards death.<br />
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If you could meet any movie star you wanted, who would it be and why?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
If you could meet any political leader you wanted, who would it be and why?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
What goals do you have at this point in your life?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
What are your most precious and deeply imbedded values?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
Tell about your views on growing older.<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
How has the women’s movement affected your life?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
How has the civil rights movement affected your life?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
Tell the influence that music, theater, dance, art or literature has had on
your life.<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
What are you afraid of?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
Tell about how you deal with anger.<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
What are your food preferences? What do you like and dislike?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
Describe your favorite dessert.<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
What flowers do you like?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
What one possession you own is dearest to you?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
If you were stuck on an island with just 5 books, what would you want them to
be? Why?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
Describe your favorite season.<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
Describe a favorite summer day<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
Describe a favorite autumn day.<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
Describe someplace in nature that is special to you.<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
If you could travel any place that you wanted to, where would it be and why?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
If you had a time machine that would allow you to go to any time you<br />
chose, when would it be? Why?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
Do you consider yourself more of an introvert or an extrovert?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
What is your idea of a dream vacation?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
Are you more of a leader or a follower?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
Are you generally on time for things or often late? How do you feel about this?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
Would you like to be famous? Why or why not? If yes, in what way?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
What would you like to be remembered for?<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br /></p></span>LJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14844447982186578533noreply@blogger.com