footnoteMaven

Thirty-Sixth Anniversary of the footnoteMaven Blog

noreply@blogger.com (footnoteMaven) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 18:21:00 +0000

Of The footnoteMaven Blog

Just so you know, the Web doesn't run on human years, it runs on Web-years. Every blog year is the equivalent of six human years. That means footnoteMaven celebrates six human years of blogging, the equivalent of 36 web years.

Last year I had three wishes
and amazingly those wishes haven't changed,
but there has been one addition:

May I enjoy good health

May I continue to blog in these interesting times

May I continue to enjoy writing, and you continue to enjoy reading what I write

May I never find what I'm looking for, whatever that may be

Good Health:

As you may know, or perhaps wish you didn't, I had my legs knocked out from under me this year. Both of them. Literally. As hard as some in the medical community tried they didn't succeed in killing my spirit. And to those who worked tirelessly to save me, thank you. I am not back at full strength, can't sit for more than fifteen minutes at a time, but I refuse to lay down and accept my circumstances. Every day is a gift and you know how I love presents. To all my dear friends and family a big thank you for the gifts, carefully chosen words, and an ear and a prayer when I needed it.

Interesting Times:

There is no doubt that our times, today's times of family historians, have become increasingly more interesting. Family historians are more engaged in the online world; a tech savvy, entertaining, "willing to try anything new" segment of the entire genealogical community.

We have learned to communicate with each other through the emerging and interesting aspects of social media. Facebook has become my life journal while Twitter has introduced me to some of the most interesting people on the planet. Google Plus has slipped into the conversation and "ouch!" we're pinning everything that catches our fancy. The community, education, and support I receive daily through social media is astounding. Thank you!

Magazines and books no longer pile up in the corners of our offices, instead they reside in the Cloud or on our new best friends, tablets and smart phones. Publishing has come to the genealogy masses. We can now write the book we've always wanted to read or trend with the community by publishing our own magazines.

If you have a question the online community has an answer. Online webinars have developed to the point where even if you're snowed in somewhere in this wonderful country you can continue to educate yourself with a computer and an internet connection; joining those who were able to make it to the conference in person. Pod, Vod casts and those Google+ meet-ups are anytime education. All things are becoming possible.

In the past year I've taken classes for iBook creation, creating interactive PDFs, using InDesign to publish, Acrobat to organize, Photoshop for my my many photos and still had time to search out those elusive female ancestors. All while lying in bed with my leg in the air. Love Apple TV! All those classes viewed on the big screen TV at the end of and from the comfort of my bed. Wonderful!

Everyday I marvel at the connections I make. A conversation with a friend in New Zealand, Australia, Wales, Scotland, the East Coast, Midwest, or just down my street. Online. When those online encounters translate to real life encounters it is as if we have been friends forever. Skyping and chating with my sister and my grandchildren. In real time! Isn't that amazing? Amazing!

Television continues to recognize the mysteries of our histories. Family history is becoming sexy via celebrities. And some of our own family history community members are becoming celebrities in their own right. With all the beautiful people discovering their roots before our very eyes we are now viewed as relevant, interesting, and yes, even sexy!

Not everything online is good. This year so many of my friends have traveled the world only to be mugged and left in an American Embassy in a foreign country with no money. They've had to write me and ask that I send several thousand dollars so they can get home. Of course, I'd just spoken to them on the phone and they were smack dab in the middle of the good old USA when I received their email.

My Amazon account was hacked at two in the morning. Fortunately I was awake and online catching it immediately. My bank was hacked. Many were. I've received so many emails from sites I use requesting that I change my password I've finally gotten an App to control the pesky critters.

Comments to my blog this year have hit a sad note. A perfect example:

Anonymous has left a comment on your post:

I seldom leave a response, however, I did a few searching and wound up here. And I actually have 2 questions for you if it's allright. Could it just be me or does it look like a few of the remarks looks like left by brain dead folks? ;p And if you are writing at additional social sites. I'd like to keep up with anything fresh you have to post. Would you list of every one of all your social pages like your linkedin profile, Facebook page or Twitter feed?

Signed Kohl's, numerous web cafes, cleaning and repair companies. Fill in the blank for the latest spammer.

So, to the hackers and spammers I've got my eye on you.

Writing:

I still love to write and to blog on my version of a Seinfeld blog; a blog about nothing in particular and anything and everything that strikes my fancy. And if you read me you know my fancies are rather eclectic. But that life switched to faceBook this last year where I use the "Today" posts to keep my hand in the writing game. The only drawback is that I am now a crazy cat lady whose Monkey Kitty has a larger following than Maven.

While down I outlined three books I plan to write, only to find that someone wrote one of them while I was sleeping. I paid $35 to order the book, relieved to find it was not the scholarly project I intended to write. There is still room for my book. Whew!

This last year real life fell on me like a ton of bricks. This blog has suffered and I apologize, but I love it no less. I've gained a new appreciation for the time I was afforded to speak on this blog and I look forward to regaining that precious time in the next year. That and my health. A year where I will return to my roots, writing.

Dear Lord let me live long enough to get this done. They say 72 is the new 30, so I'm in my early twenties. Funny, I remember my body being much more cooperative in my early twenties. Ah, well, plenty of time to get it done.

May I never find what I'm looking for:

May I never find what I'm looking for, whatever that may be, as it is the challenge of discovery that gets me out of bed every morning. The excitement of what the world has to offer footnoteMaven today, tomorrow and forever.

And to those who take the time to read, enjoy, comment, and

become friends, thank you! I wouldn't be here without you

and it wouldn't be nearly as much fun.

Notes:

Whatis.com defined a web year as the length of time it takes for Internet technology to evolve as much as technology in another environment might evolve in a calendar year. Early posts by old line bloggers quoted 3 months as equaling a web year, but that was in 1996 and things have sped up since then.

The author of "Manage your speed in web years," on the Business Management Daily website had the what and why of conversion. In 2006, BMD wrote:

"Ever hear of Internet time? It’s kind of like dog years: Each calendar year equals six Web years.

More organizations are realizing that they have to measure time by this new clock: New-product development speeds up from years to months. Developing new technologies accelerates from months to days. Decisions are yours to make in
hours. . .Lesson: If you’re not six times faster than your competition, you’re in trouble. Your dog days are coming."

'Twas The Night Before GeneaChristmas

noreply@blogger.com (footnoteMaven) — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 17:02:00 +0000

Another tradition! A version of "Twas The Night Before" has been posted on footnoteMaven every year since December 24, 2007. The only changes have been to include advances in technology and now, social media. So as you wait for Santa, please enjoy!

‘Twas the night before GeneaChristmas and from coast to coast,
every GeneaBlogger had penned their last post.

Had told Christmas stories both merry and bright
while blog caroling old favorites on YouTube all night.

There’d been last minute Tweets, facebooking and song.
We’d shared Christmas memories, all played along.

Nothing’s left for us now but to track Old St. Nick;
New Jersey, Missouri, Seattle, he’s quick.

Before this night’s over his reindeer’ll alight
on the roof tops of GeneaBloggers to right

The wrongs of the census, transcription, and fire;
to give each of us our one true heart’s desire.

Please, one missing ancestor, one smashed brick wall,
then dash away, dash away, dash away all.

I’ve not been naughty, I've tried hard to be nice.
Collecting old photos my one proven vice.

Reward me dear Santa I’ll promise you this;
the year 2013 will be one not to miss!

And I heard him exclaim ere he drove out of sight.
Merry Christmas To All and To All A Good Night!

Do You Hear What I Hear?

noreply@blogger.com (footnoteMaven) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 19:09:00 +0000

Said the footnoteMaven to the Bloggers all
Do you hear what I hear?
Ringing thru the web, Bloggers all
Do you hear what I hear?

A song, a song
With a Christmas Ring

Why it must be Blog Caroling

Come Blog Caroling With Us

Songs, songs
sung by a choir of
Genealogy & Family History Angels,
Blog Caroling!

carol. French carole. Originally a song to accompany dancing,
but later, by common usage, it came to refer to old,
Christmas-season religious songs.

Caroling, also known as wassailing, actually began in medieval times as a pagan ritual. The wassail, a hot beverage usually made with hot ale or mulled cider, was a ritual honoring the apple and fruit orchards in the dead of winter. Farmers went from farm to farm pouring wassail on the roots of trees while making a lot of noise to scare off the bad spirits responsible for making the days shorter and colder. Eventually the custom of going door to door singing and drinking became a Christmas tradition. (This is one of the many versions of the story of caroling, but all agree it is rooted in pagan ritual.)

Carols were formerly sung at large Christmas feasts and family dinners, in the open air on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, and at the time of public worship in the churches on Christmas Day.

You will note as you travel around caroling that the women singers far outnumber the men.

Perhaps this explains why:

In Pasquils' "Jests," an old book published in 1604, there is a story of an eccentric knight who, at a Christmas feast which he had made for a large number of his tenants and friends, ordered no man at the table to drink a drop "till he that was master over his wife should sing a carol."

After a pause one poor dreamer alone lifted his voice, the others all sitting silent and glum. Then the knight turned to the table where the women sat, and bade "her who was master over her husband" sing a carol. The story says that forthwith "the women fell all to singing, that there was never heard such a catter-walling piece of musicke."

Let The Blog Caroling Begin!
Select the name of the Blog to view the carol.

Gini of Ginisology sings Stille Nacht - "I was a tad bit early but in the Blog Caroling spirit for sure and singing right along with you." There is no such thing as too early for caroling my friend.

Fran Ellsworth of Branching Out Through The Years loves Christmas Carols so, she has a new favorite every year. This time she blog carols "O Little Town of Bethlehem." You're my kind of woman and thank you for your support.

Cheri Hudson Passey - Carolina Girl Genealogy is singing Breath of Heaven. "Excited to join in with the Blog Caroling!" Excited to hear you.

Ol' Myrt - DearMYRTLE's Genealogy Blog is caroling Andrea Bocelli's "White Christmas." Wishing everyone a happy Christmas! With or without snow, it is all about being with your loved ones. Amen my dear friend.

Lorine Massey of the Olive Tree Genealogy website (and an old friend) joins us with The Huron Carol in a beautiful video. So glad to hear from you. In this post select the carol.
Pam Carter - My Maine Ancestry singing "Away in a Manger." Merry Christmas everyone! Merry Christmas to you, Pam. And yes, a healthy New Year, please.

Denise Olson - Moultrie Journal. Find out how 'Fly Me to the Moon' has become a treasured Christmas song at our house. There's a moose involved. Merry Christmas! Count on Denise for a great story to carol!

Heather Wilkinson Rojo - Nutfield Genealogy caroling O Little Town of Bethlehem, "written by a Boston minister, and a distant cousin. Enjoy!" Love the family connection, Heather.

Denise Spurlock who is Reflecting on Genealogy said... Merry Christmas to all while caroling Carol of Bells. Absolutely beautiful, Denise.

Susan Clark - Nolichucky Roots sings The Carol of the Bells. "My carol this year is a blend of Ukrainian and English traditions ~ a true reflection of my roots. Merry Christmas!" It is a joy to have caroling with us.

Mariann Regan of Into The Briar Patch (love the name) asks us to - "Listen to a male trio called "The Priests" sing the carol "In the Bleak Midwinter," with words composed by Christina Rossetti in 1872. Less than 4 minutes. My husband and I have loved this simple, spare, pure song ever since we learned it as members of the Westport Madrigal Singers in the 1970s." Would love to hear you sing.

Carol - Reflections From the Fence carols Little Drummer Boy (a repost from last year, still my fav!) Still my fav - Carol and the Boy.

Andrea Kelleher of How Did I Get Here? My Amazing Genealogy Journey blog carols O' Holy Night. A tradition all on its own. Thank you!

Linda Herrick Swisher is caroling O Come All Ye Faithful at Round Tuit Genealogy. A personal favorite.

Jennifer wishes us Happy Christmas to all! "Here are my offerings, reposts from last year, but still my most loved Christmas carols. The Wexford Carol ‘On a flesh and bone foundation’: An Irish History. Angels We Have Heard On High at ‘Over thy dead body’: The Cemetery Blog." You carol better than ever!

Debra Newton-Carter tells us "Here it is...on the verge of a deadline...my offering to Blog Caroling: The Coventry Carol. Complete with two videos, lyrics and a brief history. Hope you'll stop by to In Black and White: Cross-Cultural Genealogy."We'll all be there to enjoy! Thank you!

Shelley Bishop blog caroling at A Sense of Family says "Thanks for hosting this again this year, footnoteMaven! I'm sharing a favorite from my childhood, "Let It Snow!" by the Ray Conniff Singers." You are most welcome, and it's snowing here. Oh, you should share that iTunes Christmas list. 74?

Amanda Pape (the librarian) - ABT UNK - Carols For unto us a Child is born (from Handel's Messiah). Also, read about how Amanda sang this 25 years ago. Incomparable, why thank you!

Linda McCauley of Documenting the Details blog carols "Santa Clause is Coming to Town." In Linda's case I'm sure he is!
Vickie Everhart of BeNotForgot recycled and updated the one she shared in 2011 . . . Star of the East . . . "Merry Christmas, y'all!" Merry Christmas Vickie Love.

Kim of Footstepts of the Past blog carols White Christmas. "Love visiting all the sing along blogs each year!" And we love visiting yours!

Kristin Williams is blog caroling "We Three Kings" at Finding Eliza. I love what you've done with it.

Liv Taylor-Harris of Claiming Kin said..."Thanks for hosting this wonderful event again." Liv is blog caroling the Hallelujah Chorus. It is my pleasure to host this event and so good to see you here.

Pam Schaffner - Digging Down East is caroling Silver Bells. Here them ring!

From Susan (Scotsue) of Family History Fun carols Silent Night. Go, sing along.

Daniel Dillman tells us his contribution is irreverent as always...Catch it on his blog Indiana Dillmans. You'll know it the minute you see/hear it.

Shelley at My Genealogical Journey says "Thank you for Blog Caroling what a wonderful place to reflect on Christmas." Shelley blog carols Jingle Bells. Thank you Shelley, for your reflection.

Denise Levenick, The Family Curator says "I am soooo happy to see this feature back for 2012! Peace and joy to you, dear friend. I'm sending a new old version of my favorite carol, "Silent Night," played on the antique music box inherited by Mr. Curator. Enjoy." Denise, how beautiful!

True Lewis of NoTe's To MySelf chose Silent Night by The Temptations for her first time blog caroling. Welcome True, I love the Temptations.

Pauleen of Family History Across the Seas blogs an Australian Carol/Song, Six White Boomers. She says "Six White Boomers" is the one featured even though not my favourite but its fun and given how hot it is today I can empathise with Santa. New to me! Oh, and it's snowing here.



Jill Ball author of Geniaus says...Thrilled to see you blogging away fM. Hope that 2013 brings good health and happiness to you and Mr fM. My contribution, An Australian Christmas Carol. Thank you, good to be back. Merry Christmas to both you and Mr. B.

And my own, Good Bloggers All This Christmas Time - The Wexford Carol.

Thank You All For Keeping This Tradition
I enjoyed each and every one of your carols
I experienced some new; some old
(Bloggers that is)
I listened to each beautiful arrangement
and I loved them!

Merry Christmas!

Note - Blogger has been acting up for Blog Caroling. If your contribution isn't here email me and I'll add you!

Good Bloggers All This Christmas Time

noreply@blogger.com (footnoteMaven) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 17:11:00 +0000

The Wexford Carol
("Good People All, This Christmastime")
(Enniscorthy Carol)

carol. French carole. Originally a song to accompany dancing,
but later, by common usage, it came to refer to old,
Christmas-season religious songs.

To Blog Carol I have selected probably the best known of Irish Christmas songs (and my very favorite carol), "The Wexford Carol." The Wexford Carol has roots reaching back to twelfth century Ireland, traceable to the proximity of the County and town of Wexford. The Wexford Carol was included in The Oxford Book of Carols and tells the story of the birth of Christ.

It is interesting to note that Christmas carols were rare in Ireland, but County Wexford has a 300 year tradition of handing down carols from generation to generation. Families in the area were each entrusted with a carol and with sharing that particular carol with the generations. During Christmas the carols were sung in the homes of these families and in the church by the choir. The choir consisted of six men who sang the carols unaccompanied.

Please sing along with this beautiful rendition; YoYo Ma and Allison Krauss performing The Wexford Carol.

Good people all, this Christmas time,
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done,
In sending His beloved Son.
With Mary holy we should pray
To God with love this Christmas Day;
In Bethlehem upon the morn
There was a blest Messiah born.

The night before that happy tide
The noble virgin and her guide
Were long time seeking up and down
To find a lodging in the town.
But mark how all things came to pass:
From every door repelled, alas!
As long foretold, their refuge all
Was but a humble oxen stall.

Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep
Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep;
To whom God’s angels did appear
Which put the shepherds in great fear.
“Prepare and go”, the angels said,
“To Bethlehem, be not afraid;
For there you’ll find, this happy morn,
A princely Babe, sweet Jesus born.”

With thankful heart and joyful mind,
The shepherds went the babe to find,
And as God’s angel has foretold,
They did our Savior Christ behold.
Within a manger He was laid,
And by His side the virgin maid
Attending to the Lord of Life,
Who came on earth to end all strife.

Merry Christmas

I hear you singing, my friends.
How I love Blog Caroling!!
What a joyous noise we will make
when we all come together to sing-along.

Remember, you have until midnight in
Hawaii, Today, to sing-along!

We will assemble Wednesday, December 19
to tour all the Caroling Blogs!

The date tag is a Katie Pertiet, Counting Christmas Tags No. 2 and the Christmas image is Vintage Christmas Blendables No. 1 on Designer Digital

footnoteMaven's Tradition of Blog Caroling

noreply@blogger.com (footnoteMaven) — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 17:58:00 +0000

Yes, Geneabloggers it's time for fM's favorite Christmas tradition. From the comfort of my blog, with Hot Toddy in hand, my flannel jammies and furry slippers on, I will blog my favorite Christmas Carol on Friday, December 14. (I sing so much better online than in person!)

So my fellow GeneaBloggers, I challenge each of you to blog your favorite Christmas Carol - Blog Caroling. We'll all sing along! (Blog Caroling is posting the lyrics, youtube video, etc. of your favorite Christmas carol on your blog.)

Blog Carol between today and Friday, 14 December. Post a note to the comments for this article directing us to your Blog Caroling Post and I will create a listing of all our favorites. (Please list Your Name, Blog Name, Favorite Carol and the link to your post in the comments below.)

If you sing along with us, feel free to snag the Victorian Santa Blog Caroling Badge above. When you select the badge, select "Save As" and choose the .png file. This has a transparent background and will show minus the white background.

I Once Was The Great Pumpkin - A fM Tradition

noreply@blogger.com (footnoteMaven) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 22:25:00 +0000

It was a dark and snow stormy night. The witching hour had finally come to pass. I gazed at myself in the mirror - the "Great Pumpkin" look was me all over.

The trip in this blizzard would be a long one and I had to arrive at my destination in time for Halloween. As we drove, I hung my head out the passenger door window to help the driver follow the lines painted on the road. I couldn't see my hand in front of my face. I was developing freezer burn, but that was the least of my worries. I kept yelling "hurry" but thanks to the weather there was no hurry this Halloween.

At last, the lights of my destination appeared. I was met at the door by a woman wearing a nurse's uniform. "Great costume," I remarked. She was not amused.

"How far along is your pumpkin?" she asked. "Nine months, six days," I answered. "Is it your first pumpkin?" First and most likely last I thought. "Yes," I answered. She informed me I had probably made a mistake in calculating my pumpkin growth chart, as my pumpkin wasn't large enough to be delivered for this Halloween celebration.

"Go for a walk," she suggested. "Your pumpkin will be late for the celebration. No Halloween winner for you this year."

Walk? She wanted someone dressed as the "Great Pumpkin" to walk. How long, how far? Okay, this pumpkin was getting really heavy and it was evident I would soon be viewing it from a spot on the corridor floor.

Where did that woman dressed as a nurse go? All the doors down the corridor were closed. I started opening them, one by one, looking for the pumpkin patch.

Aha! A man dressed as a doctor was placing a recently arrived pumpkin in the patch. "I've got another one for you," I called to him. The woman in the nurse's uniform shook her head and whispered to the doctor. "Check her anyway," he ordered.

The disbelieving woman in the nurse's uniform reluctantly checked and found to her surprise that my pumpkin was well on its way. Minutes later I participated in the Halloween celebration. A new pumpkin for the patch.

"A witch or a warlock?" I asked the doctor. "A princess," he replied.

My little princess was six years old before she realized that people did not come to our door on the 31st of October asking for candy because it was her birthday, but rather because it was Halloween.

It is her favorite holiday and she firmly believes that everyone should celebrate because it is her birthday after all.

This was originally published for the 34th Carnival of Genealogy, October 2007. It's one of my favorites. A footnoteMaven Halloween Tradition. Happy Birthday Tracy.

noreply@blogger.com (footnoteMaven) — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 19:18:00 +0000

This country's collective tragedy of 9/11 is far more vivid in my mind than where I was and what I was doing nine years ago today. What happened to me that day blurs. The impressions of the events on the East Coast have taken over as my memory. While they are far more clear than what happened to me that day, I have tried to recount what was my personal experience eleven years ago today.

It was early in the morning here on the West Coast. I was in Portland. I was attending my masters of law program and was renting a house with three young men, all first year law students. I was still in bed when my daughter called. I was listening to her describe what was happening, when the young man from New York started banging on our bedroom doors. At the same time he was trying desperately to reach his family back home on his cell phone.

Image via WikipediaWe all got up and gathered in the living room. No television, we were huddled around a small radio I had taken from my room. "Who would do this," one of the young men asked? "Osama Bin Laden would be my prime candidate," I answered. Then one of the other boys proceeded to explain how this was our fault based on our foreign policy.

A foreign policy lecture? Our fault? This was not the time or the place. I went to my room to get dressed. My husband called, he was watching TV when the second plane hit. He wanted me to come home. I told him I'd drive on campus and see what the schedule was and let him know. My daughter called again. Her company was headquartered in the World Trade Center. There was no contact with the people she spoke to every day and it would be days before she knew the fate of several in the WTC who had been friends. She was shaken and wanted me to come home.

Everything seemed to be in fast motion that morning. People moved faster, talked faster. Not quite panic, but certainly not calm. By the time I arrived at the Dean's office I had heard about the Pentagon. The law school was hosting a federal judges conference that day and I recognized what were surely FBI agents.

Not a good day to have that many federal judges in one spot I thought. The conference was canceled. By now, I just wanted to go home. The school left the decision to each student as to whether or not they would leave campus. I knew nothing would be accomplished in class and that my family needed my support and I theirs. I started for home.

Home was not just around the corner. Home was a three and a half hour drive. During the drive I heard from each of my children and my husband several times. About two hours into the drive I became ill. When I arrived in town I drove straight to the Emergency Room where my husband met me. I spent the night, probably the only person in the country who had not seen any of the coverage on television. Probably best, one of my nurses had assured me.

The next days would make up for that. Some of it vivid to this day. I have heard people say they try to put those images out of their mind. I do not. I consciously try to remember them. I remember them often. The young girl holding up the photograph of her father pleading for help in finding him, exhausted rescuers covered in dust, those who chose to jump to their deaths, and the collapse of a landmark, a symbol, our security. I remember. I will always remember.

Reprinted from a 2007 post.

Another Party At Maven's

noreply@blogger.com (footnoteMaven) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:45:00 +0000

Today Is The Thirtieth Anniversary

Of The footnoteMaven Blog

Just so you know, the Web doesn't run on human years, it runs on Web-years. Every blog year is the equivalent of six human years. That means that today footnoteMaven celebrates five human years of blogging, the equivalent of 30 web years.

Last year I had three wishes
and amazingly those wishes haven't changed:

May I continue to blog in these interesting times

May I continue to enjoy writing, and you continue to enjoy reading what I write

May I never find what I'm looking for, whatever that may be

If wishes were kisses
I'd still be kissing you!

Interesting Times:

There is no doubt that our times, today's times of family historians, have become increasingly more interesting. Family historians are more engaged in the online world; a tech savvy, entertaining, "willing to try anything new" segment of the entire genealogical community.

We have learned to communicate with each other through the emerging and interesting aspects of social media. Facebook has become my life journal and Twitter continues to introduce me to some of the most interesting people on the planet. The community and education I receive daily through social media is astounding.

Magazines and books no longer pile up in the corners of our offices, instead they reside in the Cloud or on our new best friends, tablets and smart phones.

Online webinars have developed to the point where even if you're snowed in somewhere in this wonderful country you can continue to educate yourself with a computer and an internet connection; joining those who were able to make it to the conference in person. Pod and Vod casts are anytime education. All things are becoming possible.

Everyday I marvel at the connections I make. A conversation with a friend in New Zealand, Australia, Wales, Scotland, the East Coast, Midwest, or just down my street. Online. In real time! Isn't that amazing? Amazing! When those online encounters translate to real life encounters it is as if we have been friends forever.

Television continues to recognize the mysteries of our histories. Family history is becoming sexy via celebrities such as Martin Sheen and Kim Cattrall. With all the beautiful people discovering their roots before our very eyes we are now viewed as relevant, interesting, and yes, even sexy!

Writing:

I still love to write and to blog on my version of a Seinfeld blog; a blog about nothing in particular and anything and everything that strikes my fancy. And if you read me you know my fancies are rather eclectic. It amazes me that after five years I still have anything to say, or at least anything to say that others will read.

This last year real life fell on me like a ton of bricks. This blog has suffered, but I love it no less. I've gained a new appreciation for the time I was afforded to speak on this blog and I look forward to regaining that time in the next year. A year where I will return to my roots, writing.

May I never find what I'm looking for:

May I never find what I'm looking for, whatever that may be, as it is the challenge of discovery that gets me out of bed every morning. The excitement of what the world has to offer footnoteMaven today, tomorrow and forever.

And to those who take the time to read, enjoy, comment, and

become friends, thank you! I wouldn't be here without you

and it wouldn't be nearly as much fun.

"Ever hear of Internet time? It’s kind of like dog years: Each calendar year equals six Web years.

More organizations are realizing that they have to measure time by this new clock: New-product development speeds up from years to months. Developing new technologies accelerates from months to days. Decisions are yours to make in
hours. . .

Lesson: If you’re not six times faster than your competition, you’re in trouble. Your dog days are coming."

A Little Tech At RootsTech

noreply@blogger.com (footnoteMaven) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:17:00 +0000

I LOVE business cards. I collect them, but you knew that. In preparing for RootsTech, the genealogist's technology extravaganza, I decided to add a little tech to my cards by way of a QR Code (Quick Response Code).

Now, there has recently been much discussion regarding QR Codes on genealogy and design blogs, a RootsTech Lecture about them (Genealogical Resources for QR Codes from Thomas MacEntee), and some vendors in the exhibit hall using them on their cards and their products. Even the TechLess Mr. Maven asked me to download a scanner for his iPhone so he could check them out in his hunting magazines. I view this as an indication the QR Code's time has come.

Kerry Scott author of Clue Wagon, and the article (What Do Modern Business Cards Look Like For Genealogists), in talking about QR Codes asked, "Does it make sense to include them on the card itself? Because the QR code is just going to direct you to my website, which is already printed on the card. If you have a card, you probably don’t need a QR code. To me, the QR codes make more sense on objects other than business cards, because they mostly serve as an alternative to them."

Kerry was responding to a post by Michael Hait, Planting Seeds (21st Century business card designs) discussing the need for a QR Code on your business card. Thomas used an image of Michael Hait's business card as an example in his QR Code Lecture, Genealogical Resources for QR Codes.

Here is my two cents worth. I agree with Michael that we need QR Codes on our business cards, but not as limiting as his discussion. I agree with Kerry; why have them if they are only going to direct you back to a website listed on your card? So, I included a QR Code on my business card and created a page just for RootsTech explaining Shades, how and where to find it, and a sort of why should anyone listen to me section. If I were to attend another conference I could alter this page for the next conference specifically without designing a new QR Code and having new business cards printed. By the way, I met Kerry at RootsTech. She is absolutely lovely and thinks I may have a new career in QR Design. Hmmm!

Now those who have spent anytime at footnoteMaven know I couldn't add just the QR Code, I would have to do something unique. On the back of my card is a photographer's imprint from the mid-1800s. I removed the photographer information and added my QR Code. Shades is, after all, a magazine about old photographs and this seemed only fitting. I may just have outsmarted myself though, some people thought it was just part of the design and never noticed it was a QR Code. I will ponder this in future designs.

Joining me with "A Little Tech At Roots Tech" are the following tech savvy bloggers.

Caroline Pointer
For Your Family Story

Becky Jamison
Grace And Glory

Bret Petersen
Branches Of Your Tree

I'm certain their were others, I just didn't receive them. I'm also writing an article about how to make a QR Code, How To Make A QR Code Beautiful, Some Of The Most Beautiful QR Codes I've Seen, and Some of the VERY interesting things I'm doing with QR Codes in Genealogy and Old Photos. Check back.

An Early Valentine to Kim von Aspern

noreply@blogger.com (footnoteMaven) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:37:00 +0000

MY FAVORITE HAPPENING at any convention is the interaction with my fellow Genealogy Bloggers. RootsTech was certainly no exception.

Just before leaving I got a FaceBook note from Kim von Aspern, Le Maison Duchamp, saying she wanted to meet in Salt Lake City, as she had a photograph to show me and added the words that get my attention every time - women wearing glasses.

RootsTech is huge, but Kim and I finally bumped into each other and I was treated to a beautiful photograph of seven women, several wearing the eye-wear fashion of the time period, pince nez glasses. Kim explained she had been on a treasure hunt to find a photograph containing seven women, as Kim is one of seven sisters and is starting a blog aptly named Seven Sisters Genealogy. The photograph could not be more perfect.

But wait, there's more to Kim's story of photographs. You see, during her treasure hunt she was bitten. You know what I'm talking about. We've all experienced that bite. The "how could all these wonderful photographs reside in the orphanages we call antiques stores? Aren't they crying out to go home?"

While in an antiques store near her home Kim decided to empty the orphanage by purchasing as many photographs with clues as she could afford, hoping to reunite them with their living relatives. When the store owner discovered Kim's plan he offered her all the photographs she wanted at a very reasonable price. Oh, my!

Over the next two days, in fits and flurries, a very patient Kim teased me with the treasure trove. One photograph in particular took my breath away; a large framed wedding photograph from Paisley, Scotland. And bless her, Kim is going to allow me to stick my finger in the research. Be still my heart.

There's more, much more. Kim has a U.S. Navy "on deck" photograph with everyone in the photograph identified. Amazing! Kim says this will be her first project and I can't wait to see what she finds. Perhaps she'll even write about her finds for Shades Military issue. (Yes, Shades has been given CPR and will be out with "School Days" in March.)

And then came the reason for the valentine. A gift, a very generous gift from Kim to me, the photograph to the left. On the face of it, a very unassuming cabinet card of a middle-aged man. Not a woman wearing glasses. Not a bridal party. No, but when I turned him over. . .

You see, I've outlined three books I'm working on; my goal to see one published this year. They are "women wearing glasses," "visiting cards," and a book on "photographer's imprints."

This is where the man to the left became my valentine from Kim. I have been looking for this particular ornate photographer's imprint on a cabinet card, because it comes with a very sad photographic story.

What, you can't see the imprint on the back? You will, we'll both see you in the bookstore.

Thank you Kim. I LOVE LOVE LOVE you!

Stoic Man. Cabinet Card. Bradley & Rulofson. Original Cabinet Card privately held by the footnoteMaven, [address for private use,] Preston, Washington. 2012

The link to this article can be found by selecting the title "An Early Valentine to Kim von Aspern."

What If. . .Santa Could

noreply@blogger.com (footnoteMaven) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 08:03:00 +0000

My favorite footnoteMaven Family Christmas Story!
Merry Christmas To You All!

Dillon, Heather, Wyatt

My daughter called. Wyatt, he of the Who's The Man On That Coin fame, had written a letter. A letter to Santa. A letter to Santa in March.

"Wow," I said. "He really is giving Santa a lot of time. It must be something big, what is it? A car?"

"No," my daughter answered. "Here, why don't I let Wyatt tell you." She handed the phone to Wyatt, and I heard him asking in the background, "Which Grandma is it?" "My Mom," she replied. It's always good to have your Grandmas straight, especially when you're going to talk about Santa I thought.

"Hi Grandma."

"Hey, Wyatt, I hear you wrote a letter to Santa." I cheerfully responded. "What did you ask for?"

"Do you want me to read the letter?" he asked.

"I'd love it, Wyatt."

He dropped the phone and ran to get his letter.

He got back on the phone and immediately started reading. "Merry Christmas, Wyatt to Santa. Can you bring my Dad's Dad back?"

I paused for a moment while he waited for my response. Needless to say I wasn't expecting this and I didn't want my emotions to show in my voice. Wyatt's Dad, my son-in-law, lost his father to MS when he was twelve years old. They were very close. They had done everything together; hunting, fishing, camping, all the "boy stuff." My son-in-law talks of his father often and still visits his grave.

"Wyatt, that's a lovely wish. Why did you ask for that?"

"It would make my Dad very happy," he answered so matter of factly.

Yes, yes it would. Things are so clear and simple when you're six while being at the same time so extremely complex.

"Grandma would like to write about your letter on her blog, if it's O.K. with you," I told Wyatt.

"Can you put it in the newspapers," he wanted to know.

"No, just on my blog. Will that do?"

"With the Alien Baby," he sounded a bit more excited. "Yes, with the Alien Baby," I confirmed. Thank heaven someone in my family reads me.

"Yep, Grandma," he yelled as he dropped the phone and ran off; Grandma time now boring him.

Oh WyMan, what a pure heart and an old soul. What if . . . Santa could! Why, I'd even write him.

Originally posted in December 2009. The Boys have grown and should now be thoroughly embarrassed by their Grandmother writing about them.

Twas The Night Before GeneaChristmas

noreply@blogger.com (footnoteMaven) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 15:49:00 +0000

Another tradition! A version of "Twas The Night Before" has been posted on footnoteMaven every year since December 24, 2007. The only changes have been to include advances in technology and now, social media. So as you wait for Santa, please enjoy!

‘Twas the night before GeneaChristmas and from coast to coast,
every GeneaBlogger had penned their last post.

Had told Christmas stories both merry and bright
while blog caroling old favorites on YouTube all night.

There’d been last minute Tweets, facebooking and song.
We’d shared Christmas memories, all played along.

Nothing’s left for us now but to track Old St. Nick;
New Jersey, Missouri, Seattle, he’s quick.

Before this night’s over his reindeer’ll alight
on the roof tops of GeneaBloggers to right

The wrongs of the census, transcription, and fire;
to give each of us our one true heart’s desire.

Please, one missing ancestor, one smashed brick wall,
then dash away, dash away, dash away all.

I’ve not been naughty, I've tried hard to be nice.
Collecting old photos my one proven vice.

Reward me dear Santa I’ll promise you this;
the year 2012 will be one not to miss!

And I heard him exclaim ere he drove out of sight.
Merry Christmas To All and To All A Good Night!

The Ghost Of Christmas Past

noreply@blogger.com (footnoteMaven) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:26:00 +0000

MARLEY was dead: to begin with.
There is no doubt whatever about that.

~ Charles Dickens ~
A Christmas Carol

It happened as I was reading the blog caroling posts. I was visited by The Ghost Of Christmas Past. The Christmas Carols conjured up the Ghost and its images of that Christmas past. Not all family history is the way we would have written it if we were given a choice. We all know that from experience. This remembrance is of a Christmas tragedy, there is no happy ending; if you would like to stop reading here, I will understand completely.

It was December 21. I left my office at lunch to pick up those last minute odds and ends. Small things for the children's stockings and some food favorites for Christmas dinner. The world at that time didn't walk around with a bluetooth in its ear, a cell phone in its purse or pocket, or in my case even an answering machine.

When I returned to my office a Sheriff's Deputy was waiting for me. I knew something was desperately wrong, but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't speak. "You need to call your Mother," he said. "I'm very sorry." I heard a loud and painful moan, and then realized it was coming from me.

The night before, my Father ("There'll Be No Hell For Dogs") had gone out in his front yard to listen to the neighborhood carolers and suffered a heart attack. The paramedics arrived, revived him and transported him to the hospital. My youngest Brother and my Mother went there with him. He was sitting up in bed and talking. He told my Brother he was fine, that he loved him, and that he should go home. My Brother left, my Mother stayed. My Mother was a cardiac intensive care nurse in the very unit my father was a patient, she would not leave him. Mom and Dad talked and decided to call the rest of us in the morning when Dad would be discharged.

Several hours later, during the early morning hours of December 21, my Father suffered a massive heart attack in the hospital and died.

My other Brother and I both lived in California. After speaking with my Mother we made arrangements and traveled to Florida. Going in the house was so difficult, Dad was everywhere. He had spent hours putting up the Christmas decorations, there were presents under the tree with his name on them, and his tools were sitting on his workbench in the garage, just where he had left them when he went out to listen to carolers.

Most of this time is a blur. I think the mind does that to make the memory of the pain less knife sharp. If only the family tragedy ended here, but it doesn't.

My Father's brothers arrived from Missouri for the funeral. They looked so much like Dad. It was a comfort and yet so visual a reminder that he was missing. During the funeral one of my Uncles stood next to me and held my hand, none of us knowing that at that very moment his pain was about to become immeasurable.

At that very moment, in Missouri, in my Uncle's backyard, his daughter, my cousin, was taking her own life. She left no note. The family has speculated for years on her reasons and her timing. My Uncle always believed she was murdered. The police reports were thorough and final, it was a suicide. She was obviously in pain, but this act of suicide was so selfish. Selfish and cruel.

As adults we know that not every Christmas is "Merry and Bright." Christmas memories are what you make of them. I have made some wonderful memories for my children and their children, I did it for them, for me, and for Dad. How he loved Christmas!

I work very hard for good memories, but every year at this time some memories of Christmas past slip into my conscious thoughts and they are still painful.

The next visit will be from The Ghost Of Christmas Present in Part 2 of A Charles Dickens Christmas COG.

The original story was told December 2007.

Do You Hear What I Hear?

noreply@blogger.com (footnoteMaven) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:26:00 +0000

Said the footnoteMaven to the Bloggers all
Do you hear what I hear?
Ringing thru the web, Bloggers all
Do you hear what I hear?

A song, a song
With a Christmas Ring

Why it must be Blog Caroling

Come Blog Caroling With Us

Songs, songs
sung by a choir of
Genealogy & Family History Angels,
Blog Caroling!

carol. French carole. Originally a song to accompany dancing,
but later, by common usage, it came to refer to old,
Christmas-season religious songs.

You will note as you travel around caroling that the women singers far outnumber the men.

Perhaps this explains why:

In Pasquils' "Jests," an old book published in 1604, there is a story of an eccentric knight who, at a Christmas feast which he had made for a large number of his tenants and friends, ordered no man at the table to drink a drop "till he that was master over his wife should sing a carol."

After a pause one poor dreamer alone lifted his voice, the others all sitting silent and glum. Then the knight turned to the table where the women sat, and bade "her who was master over her husband" sing a carol. The story says that forthwith "the women fell all to singing, that there was never heard such a catter-walling piece of musicke."

Let The Blog Caroling Begin!

Cindy Scherwinski of In My Life, carols Enya singing Silent Night.

Karen Krugman of Genealogy Frame Of Mind says "Got the eggnog and my sweetie as we blog carol to "All I Want For Christmas Is You," by Vince Vance & the Valiants.

Bill West, West in New England, Hi fM! Here's my now traditional "I Saw Three Ships."

Joan of Roots'N'Leaves says - Merry, merry, to fM, Here is my all time favorite "It Came Upon The Midnight Clear."

FM, I love this fun event! Dorene from Ohio blog carols Away in a Manger at Graveyard Rabbit of Sandusky Bay.

GeneaPopPop of Stardust'n'Roots said - With egg nog in hand, I am delighted to make this a new holiday tradition for me! Here's my favorite -- "I Wonder as I Wander."

Got a box of tissues? Here's mine - Michelle Robillard, Call Me-shell, "Adeste Fideles" Thanks, and Merry Christmas!

In the 1960s, we sang Star of the East in the annual Christmas pageant put on by the local schools . . . those were the days! . . . here's wishing a Merry Christmas to you and yours . . . from BeNotForgot aka Vickie E. . . .

I chose my favorite holiday song, "Little Drummer Boy." I found a video with one of my favorite voices and animation that is also one of my favs. Thanks fM, for a wonderful meme at the holidays. Carol, Reflections From the Fence.

Jo of Those Who Went Before carols - So many favorites but I have chosen Carol of the Bells; an instrumental version by pianist George Winston. Looking forward to all the favorites.

Denise Spurlock, Reflecting on Genealogy says My favorite: What Child Is This? Happy holidays!

Deborah Andrew of The Sum Of All My Research made me laugh. You'll see why. Deb, if you can sing it, go for it. She said, "Ok, so I was so excited to participate. Made the post. Posted it. Then realized that you really couldn't go caroling with the song. It's more just my favorite Christmas Song. :( But thought I would still let you know that I participated...sort of. Anyway, I picked "You're a mean one Mr Grinch." Maybe before the 14th I can come up with a real caroling song and do a post about that.....I'll have to let you know. Chalk it up to too much eggnog. :P"

Gini of Ginisology tells us, "I picked both mine and my mom's favorite, Silent Night, in German, Stille Nacht. Had to have the tissues ready as I posted this one. Merry Christmas to you all . . . ."

Thank you fM for continuing this wonderful holiday tradition! I am pleased to offer two pieces this year, one on each of my blogs, 'On a flesh and bone foundation': An Irish History - A traditional Irish carol, 'The Wexford Carol' and 'Over thy dead body':The Cemetery Blog - 'Angels We Have Heard On High'. All the best to you and yours this holiday season! Jennifer

Apple of Apple's Tree tells us, "It wasn't hard to pick a carol this year. I'll Be Home for Christmas."

Caroline Pointer, of Family Stories says, "Okay, here's this year's selection. Drink up! ;) Caroling with Grandma. Lookout for that reindeer.

Terri O'Connell of Finding Our Ancestors carols Silent Night and tells us "Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!"

Lisa of 1 Ancestry 2 Little Time says, "This is terrific! My fave is "O Holy Night" especially when performed by Josh Groban. Thanks for this blogging fun!"

Mary from Me and My Ancestors picked another carol from the Fogotten Carols. Let Him In. Have a Merry & Blessed Christmas!

Jacqi Stevens of A Family Tapestry says, "Thank you, fM, for this splendid opportunity! I wasn't sure I'd be able to participate, as I'm in the middle of a series on WWII letters home from my father-in-law that I won't complete until after Christmas. But then it hit me: amidst the palm trees in the south Pacific...what better choice than to insert the original intro to "White Christmas"?! And so, I can be part of the party, after all! Enjoy! And have a wonderful Christmas, no matter where you are stationed this December 25!

Leslie Brinkley Lawson of Genealogy and Other Thoughts says she can't pick just one. Perhaps, but she sure can pick her men. Go listen here.

I'm joining the choir! Nancy of My Ancestors and Me carols "The Sussex Carol." Thank you so much for hosting, footnoteMaven. Nancy, the tag is fine.

Jacqueline Foster says, "Thanks FM, caroling in you jammies, great idea. My favorite carol is "Here Comes Santa Claus". Posted on my blog at My Journey Back.

Denise Olson of the Moultrie Creek Gazette says "This year I'm singing Silent Night with Bob Hope and the three generations of troops he entertained at Christmas. Silent Night with Bob Hope.

Wendy tells us "I'm singing "Mary Did You Know?" so join me at Jollett, etc.

Thomas MacEntee of Destination: Austin Family carols I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day.

Heather Wilkinson Rojo of Nutfield Genealogy carols "The Holly and the Ivy."

The Road Backwards' Karen carols "Ding Dong Merrily On High!"

Greta Koehl of Greta's Genealogy Bog carols "Heaven and Earth."

Dawn Westfall of Wisteria loves to carol in all forms :) and joins Blog Caroling with O Holy Night.

Linda McCauley invites us to The Temptations singing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" at Documenting the Details.

Denise Levenick, The Family Curator, says, "It's still Silent Night! Happy Christmas, Merry Holidays.

Nancy of Gathering Stories tells us it's, "Not a traditional carol but a gorgeous Christmas song nonetheless- Rose of Bethlehem.

Shelley Bishop is chiming in with "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" at A Sense of Family (and there's also a bonus, just to add to the fun). I loved it!!!

It's All Relative's Laura Aanenson gives us her kinda silly entry, a special Twelve Days.

Whitney Houston's Joy to the World comes to us from Linda Rudd of Between the Gateposts.

Liv of Claiming Kin says, "Thanks so much for this opportunity to participate and add my favorite Christmas carol - What Child is This? - to this year's event!

Jasia, our Creative Gene tells us, "My latest favorite Christmas carol is "Let It Snow" by the cast of Glee! Come sing along with me!

Ready to go caroling! Dang, I'm out of eggnog! Leslie Ann of Ancestors Live Here carols
I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmus!

Merry Christmas to you, dear footnoteMaven! I couldn't miss out on this year's caroling. "O Holy Night" is my favorite, and I've shared it over at 100 Years in America. Visit Lighting the Way for the Christ Child to read about my childhood Christmas Eves and how my family and I celebrated the holiest night of the year.

Angela Y. Walton carols "Mary Had a Baby at My Ancestor's Name. Sorry Angela, didn't get your comment.

Sarah Greenleaf of My Mouse Is Broken carols "Mary Did You Know" and tells us that she loves seeing what everyone chooses.

Craig Manson, carols O Little Town of Bethlehem, posted at GeneaBlogie.

Anglers Rest is blog caroling Carol of the Bells at Anglers Rest.

And my own, Good Bloggers All This Christmas Time - The Wexford Carol.

Thank You For Keeping This Tradition
I enjoyed each & every one of your carols
I experienced some new & some old
(Bloggers that is)
I listened to each beautiful arrangement

Good Bloggers All This Christmas Time

noreply@blogger.com (footnoteMaven) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:44:00 +0000

The Wexford Carol
("Good People All, This Christmastime")
(Enniscorthy Carol)

carol. French carole. Originally a song to accompany dancing,
but later, by common usage, it came to refer to old,
Christmas-season religious songs.

Good people all, this Christmas time,
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done,
In sending His belovèd Son.
With Mary holy we should pray
To God with love this Christmas Day;
In Bethlehem upon the morn
There was a blest Messiah born.

The night before that happy tide
The noble virgin and her guide
Were long time seeking up and down
To find a lodging in the town.
But mark how all things came to pass:
From every door repelled, alas!
As long foretold, their refuge all
Was but a humble oxen stall.

Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep
Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep;
To whom God’s angels did appear
Which put the shepherds in great fear.
“Prepare and go”, the angels said,
“To Bethlehem, be not afraid;
For there you’ll find, this happy morn,
A princely Babe, sweet Jesus born.”

With thankful heart and joyful mind,
The shepherds went the babe to find,
And as God’s angel has foretold,
They did our Savior Christ behold.
Within a manger He was laid,
And by His side the virgin maid
Attending to the Lord of Life,
Who came on earth to end all strife.

Merry Christmas

I hear you singing, my friends.
How I love Blog Caroling!!
What a joyous noise we will make
when we all come together to sing-along.

Remember, you have until midnight in
Hawaii, Today, to sing-along!

The footnoteMaven's Christmas Tradition of Blog Caroling

noreply@blogger.com (footnoteMaven) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:24:00 +0000

Yes, Geneabloggers it's time for fM's favorite Christmas tradition. From the comfort of my blog, with Hot Toddy in hand, my flannel jammies and furry slippers on, I will blog my favorite Christmas Carol on Wednesday, December 14. (I sing so much better online than in person!)

So my fellow GeneaBloggers, I challenge each of you to blog your favorite Christmas Carol - Blog Caroling. We'll all sing along! (Blog Caroling is posting the lyrics, youtube video, etc. of your favorite Christmas carol on your blog.)

Blog Carol between today and Wednesday, 14 December. Post a note to the comments for this article directing us to your Blog Caroling Post and I will create a listing of all our favorites. (Please list Your Name, Blog Name, Favorite Carol and the link to your post in the comments below.)

If you sing along with us, feel free to snag the Victorian Santa Blog Caroling Badge above. When you select the badge, select "Save As" and choose the .png file. This has a transparent background and will show minus the white background.

The date tag is a modified Katie Pertiet, Counting Christmas Tags No. 2 on Designer Digitals. It's on special today.

COG 113 - A Charles Dickens Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (footnoteMaven) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:45:00 +0000

113th EDITION OF THE Carnival Of Genealogy

The topic for the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy is:

A Charles Dickens Christmas!

- ¤ -

We're going to borrow Charles Dickens' idea and have some visits from
the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future.

- ¤ -

First show us a photo from a Christmas/Hanuka/Kwanzaa past and
tell us what you know about it (or just share a story about a
past holiday if you don't have a photo to share).

- ¤ -

Then share a photo from your Christmas/Hanuka/Kwanzaa celebration
this year (it can be a photo of holiday lights, a tree, etc., it doesn't have
to have people in it) and tell us something about how you'll be
celebrating the holiday this year.

- ¤ -

And lastly, write about a future Christmas and how you'd like
to celebrate it. (Feel free to let your imaginations go on this one!)

- ¤ -

Write up your visits by the ghosts of Christmas past, present,
and future and submit them to the Carnival of Genealogy.

- ¤ -

The Deadline For Submissions Is
January 1st, 2012

- ¤ - ¤ -

Merry Christmas to the Queen of the COG!
Jasia
Creative Gene!

- ¤ - ¤ -

Attention All COG Participants

Read Also The Changes To The COG In 2011

Submit your article using the Blog Submission Form found here. Please use a descriptive phrase in the title of any articles you plan to submit and/or write a brief description/introduction to your articles in the "comment" box of the blogcarnival submission form. This will give readers an idea of what you've written about and hopefully interest them in clicking on your link. Introductions for your articles will not be provided for you due to the volume of articles submitted. Thank you!

COG 112 - An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (footnoteMaven) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 22:30:00 +0000

112th EDITION OF THE Carnival Of Genealogy

The topic for the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy is:

An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving!

- ¤ -

Share with us a favorite memory of the Thanksgiving holiday.

- ¤ -
Or, if you'd prefer, imagine how you think the Thanksgiving holiday
was celebrated by one of your ancestors and share that with us.

- ¤ -

If your family has no ties to America, perhaps you'd like to
imagine how you would celebrate Thanksgiving if you were
here visiting during the holiday.

- ¤ -

We're open to all family Thanksgiving stories, real or imagined.
Come on, get creative! You can have some real fun with this topic!

- ¤ -

The Deadline For Submissions Is
December 1st

- ¤ - ¤ -

The COG is hosted by
Jasia our
Creative Gene!

- ¤ - ¤ -

Attention All COG Participants

Read Also The Changes To The COG In 2011

Submit your blog article to the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy using Jasia's carnival submission form. Please use a descriptive phrase in the title of any articles you plan to submit and/or write a brief description/introduction to your articles in the "comment" box of the blogcarnival submission form. This will give readers an idea of what you've written about and hopefully interest them in clicking on your link. Introductions for your articles will not be provided for you due to the volume of articles submitted. Thank you!

The Hearse, Frozen Goldfish & Twins

noreply@blogger.com (footnoteMaven) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:26:00 +0000

Today, November 22, is the birthday of THE TWINS. I remember their first day on earth. I've told the story before, but in honor of the fact that all my siblings are now online, I will repeat it just for them.

We had only been at my Grandmother's house an hour when the hearse came and took my Mother away. The hearse did double duty as the town ambulance. I was only five, but I knew there was something ominous about a hearse. My Mother with her overnight bag climbed into the front seat next to the driver and they left. They left in a hurry.

It was November and one of the coldest winters in Missouri. My Mother was pregnant and the baby was due any day. This would be her third child, so when the snow storm hit she called our neighbor, Mrs. Mary's husband. He arrived with his tractor and dug us out. The drifts had covered the front door.

I remember standing there next to my Grandmother crying for my Mother, thinking I would never see her again. It wasn't until I was an adult that I realized my Mother had been in labor when she called the neighbor. Snowed in, two small children and in labor; yet she remained so calm.

Grandmother was not very demonstrative. She was not affectionate. She seemed at a loss to comfort the two little girls holding tightly to her apron and crying.

That night my sister and I slept in the front bedroom just off the parlor. Neither room had heat, the stove being in the back bedroom just off the kitchen, quite some distance from where we were to sleep. My grandmother piled her handmade quilts on us for warmth. To this day I do not remember ever being that cold. No goodnight kiss, no father. I was frightened. "Watch the goldfish," my grandmother said as she pointed to the fishbowl on the table next to our bed. She turned out the lights. My little sister cried herself to sleep. Nothing I did comforted her.

I woke the next morning to the sound of my Father's excited voice. I sat up and looked around. The fish bowl was frozen solid, the goldfish caught in mid-swim. I could see my breath and remember well how cold it was as my bare feet touched the floor.

I ran to my Father leaving my sister under the pile of quilts. He was sitting at the kitchen table eating biscuits with honey and drinking coffee. My Grandmother, looking very pleased, was waiting on him and treating him like a child. It was so difficult at five to understand the relationship between my Father and my Grandmother; to realize that he was her child.

He lifted me to his lap and hugged me. I was so glad to see him. "Well Sis, guess what," he asked as he tickled me. "Do you have a new baby brother? No, you have two new baby brothers."

Twins had not been expected and were not discovered until the delivery. This revelation was the reason for the pleased look on my Grandmother's face and the excitement in my Father's voice.

I, on the other hand, was not pleased in the least. Not then, and not for many years to come. But I am now.

Posted originally for: A memory for Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - A Childhood Memory.

The photograph is in the collection of little sister Biblio.

I Once Was The Great Pumpkin

noreply@blogger.com (footnoteMaven) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:38:00 +0000

COG 110 - A Family Tree

noreply@blogger.com (footnoteMaven) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 02:47:00 +0000

110th EDITION OF THE Carnival Of Genealogy

The topic for the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy is:

What tree best represents your family’s history?

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Is your family most like a towering redwood, weeping willow,
or a stately oak?

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Maybe you think of your family more like a brightly lit
Christmas tree or a tropical palm.

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Whatever your choice, write it up and tells us why!

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The Deadline For Submissions Is
October 1st

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Attention All COG Participants

Read Also The Changes To The COG In 2011

Please use a descriptive phrase in the title of any articles you plan to submit and/or write a brief description/introduction to your articles in the "comment" box of the blogcarnival submission form. This will give readers an idea of what you've written about and hopefully interest them in clicking on your link. Introductions for your articles will not be provided for you due to the volume of articles submitted. Thank you!

Tracing Family History Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (footnoteMaven) — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 17:34:00 +0000

From as early as I can remember I have loved magazines. The love is inherited. It's in my genes.

My Mother loved and collected magazines. Today this trait would probably be called hoarding. One room of the family home was set aside to store Mom's magazines. The stacks reached over six feet tall and were in alphabetic order. There was a stack for each magazine; National Geographic, Look, and Life. I never had to go to the library to complete a school project I just opened the door to “the magazine room."

Perhaps more correctly, it's an addiction. fM's addiction. I thought you might enjoy sharing my addiction with me, as I discuss the magazines I read and why I read them, one magazine at a time, from the real to the digital world.

The journey begins with Tracing Family History Magazine, also known as Your Family History in the United Kingdom. Yes, a UK magazine and before you dismiss this as having nothing of value to US readers, think again - hear me out - you’re in for a pleasant surprise.

Tracing is published in the UK by Wharncliffe Publishing and edited by Nick Barratt. Nick Barratt is probably the UKs best known genealogist, having been the genealogical consultant for series 1 to 4 of the BBC show Who Do You Think You Are? and the author of numerous history and genealogy books. Think Megan Smolenyak.

The magazine is relatively new, having published its first issue in May of 2010. Prior to publishing Tracing, Wharncliffe published the National Archives magazine Ancestors, another of my favorites.

I love their tag line, “Our Experts Your Stories.” For those who have complained about the celebrity centric genealogy television shows and longed for family history that talks about real research by real people, this is the magazine for you. While the magazine originally did a celebrity feature in each issue, they have been dropped in favor of internet research based articles and features.

Tracing is reader driven. It features its readers’ stories, discoveries, mysteries, documents, photographs and more in every issue. Readers are encouraged to join debates, submit problems to the experts, and suggest or write topics for feature articles. They accept submissions and questions from readers outside the UK. If you have one, they’re interested.

I like the size of the magazine, 8.5 X 11.5. No straining to read the type, the magazine layout design is easy on the eyes. Tracing is full color and employs good use of white space, illustrations and photographs. Consistency in design makes it easy to find articles in past issues.

The magazine has certain mainstays features that appear in each issue.

Beginner’s Guides/How Tos. When it comes to researching my UK ancestors I find these invaluable. I’m unfamiliar with most UK resources, so Tracing gives me a lesson with every issue. The Chris Paton articles “Scottish Beginners Guide” and “Scottish Land Records” are important to my Campbell research. I may not be a novice researcher, but I am a beginner in this area of research.

The People’s Archive/Village Voice series taps the history of the resources found in every area; its people. These are wonderful stories of personal discoveries and town histories by town historians.

Spotlight On selects a different geographical area, archive, or event with each issue and introduces you to the resources that are available to family historians for each.

Casebook features reader success stories dotted with documents and amazing old photographs. Talk about inspiration, they’ve got it here.

Nick's Last Word, opinions and information on timely topics that are certain to engage you.

Along with the "in every issue columns," you'll find feature articles, a cover story, news and events. One of my favorite articles was “Jane Austen, Fashion Icon” written by fashion historian and picture specialist Jayne Shrimpton. Articles on Social History always interest me for their use in describing our ancestors’ way of life, identifying photographs and so much more. All the history articles are beautifully written and illustrated.

Here was an article I enjoyed so much I actually did further research on my own; the “History Mysteries” article in the November 2010 issue on the famous Dr. Crippen murder mystery.

The April 2011 issue contained an excellent article on Civil War research and surname mapping. Truth be told, I find something of value in every issue I read. Take a look; I think you’ll be impressed.

The act of researching is common to all family historians. Articles on methods, techniques, organization, etc. are applicable no matter where we geographically do our research. The articles in Tracing magazine are exceptionally well written and have been of great help in my own research.

Although dotted with wonderful old photographs to illustrate the stories, my one wish would be to see a photograph specific article in every issue.

The magazine is published 13 times per year. At today’s exchange rate a subscription costs about $145. (You can purchased a 6 month subscription - the free gift with purchase is not available in the US.) Yes, UK magazines are more expensive. I buy Tracing by the issue at Barnes and Noble so that I can pick which issues are more pertinent to me. The only trouble? I find I’m purchasing every issue. It’s time to get that subscription. Quality is worth it.

I would be thrilled if the magazine had a digital issue. Something I could load on my iPad as I do with several of the UK design magazines. At the moment they don't have a digital edition, but are contemplating one. Perhaps you could head to their facebook page and tell them you’d like to see one.

Tracing has an extremely active facebook page and Twitter account that keep you up to date on the magazine, the genealogy world, contests, polls, and questions posted by readers. They maintain a Your Family History web page with all the information you need to know about the magazine. One more wish? I'd love to see a comprehensive list of all the articles that have been published in the magazine available online.

I would also like to thank Megan Sagar, the Subscriptions Executive for Wharncliffe History Magazines for her patience, for answering all my questions about the magazine and for sending several issues to compliment my stash so that I could write this article.

As my Mother "the magazine expert" always said, “Quality will out,” and it is certainly out and about in Tracing Family History Magazine.

Worship - COG 109

noreply@blogger.com (footnoteMaven) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 21:06:00 +0000

109th EDITION OF THE Carnival Of Genealogy

The topic for the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy is:

Where Did Your Ancestors Worship!

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Show us and tell us about the churches, synagogues, chapels,
temples, grottoes, cathedrals, missions, kirks, mosques,
revivals, or open air religious services
where your family has worshiped.

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This edition of the COG will be guest hosted on a new blog,
coming September 1st. How exciting!!

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And we're not telling where this new blog is or what it's about.
You'll just have to wait till the secret is revealed!

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Share your wonderful articles with the new
blog in town!

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The Deadline For Submissions Is
September 1st

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Attention All COG Participants

Read Also The Changes To The COG In 2011

Sour Cream, Raisins, and Rhubarb

noreply@blogger.com (footnoteMaven) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 21:22:00 +0000

This article is dedicated to my mother-in-law, Lucille Palmer. She must have been a good cook, for after 41 years of marriage I’m still hearing about it.

My husband's past is tied to food. I often said that a trip to visit my in-laws was like being diabetic (I should know, I am one).

A diabetic's life is not an easy one. Meals are tied to time and content. Once a meal is out of the way you are planning for the next. I find a diabetic spends an inordinate amount of time thinking about food. All of the above applies to my husband's family.

Diabetics usually think about food we can't eat. Here endeth the similarity, for they ate everything and lots of it.

My husband's family spent more time planning, timing and thinking about food than any group of people I've ever known. Once breakfast was finished and the dishes cleared, my father-in-law would be asking what was for lunch and dinner. It was, my husband explains, due to the fact they were farming people. Food was energy. Timed to get you out in the fields where you would burn up that energy, then back in for the next meal, and so on. Every meal was rewarded with dessert.

My husband has always spoken longingly of his mother's cooking, so when his father died and we cleaned out the family home he was so excited to happen on an envelope of her handwritten recipes. Heavily weighted toward dessert, I might add.

In going through the little handwritten cards I found three ingredients used over and over again. Sour cream, raisins, and rhubarb. There was sour cream raisin cake, pie, and cookies. Sour cream rhubarb cake, pie, and cookies. The sour cream raisin pie was the most exciting find for my husband. Sour cream raisin pie is his favorite.

Reading through the recipes was a miniature history lesson featuring 1950's decorated cards, cards attributing the authorship to her children, relatives, neighbors, and an occasional cut-out from one of the farming magazines. Ingredients of the time and of her garden. Ingredients such as Karo syrup, Crisco, and the irrepressible Jell-O. And from the garden zucchini, rhubarb, corn, and plums. Food memories for my husband.

There were recipes titled Linda Bundt's Bundt Cake, Betty Harvey's Frog Eye Salad (Serves 35), and Kathy's Ribbon Ice Box Dessert. Many of the cards are punctuated with Lucille's comments - Very Good, the Real McCoy, problem!

And tucked away in the middle of thousands of cards I found a surprise. A recipe in my own handwriting. A dish I had made for Lucille over forty years ago. Saved. To understand my surprise, you'd have to know I was a second wife, a difficult position to play in any game. After thirty years, she warmed to me. So, even if she never made my recipe. She saved it. And that means a great deal to me, even after all these years.

In her honor, I am scanning the cards and transcribing the recipes into a book for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. It will tell of her life and be punctuated with photographs. I think it would have pleased her.

Thanks for the recipes!

I Know Where I'm From

noreply@blogger.com (footnoteMaven) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 23:32:00 +0000

It's Saturday Night Genealogy Fun from Randy Seaver at Geneamusings.

Tonight Randy has challenged us to:

Write a poem about "Where I'm From" using the template found at the website http://www.swva.net/fred1st/wif.htm and of course to post it.

You should know by now, Maven's not very good with templates. So, I've given it my own twist.

And now:
I am from the good earth, from Mississippi mud and lead leavings.

I am from the house my father built with his own two hands. From hands I remember. From hands I loved. From hands my son now bears.

I am from the dogwood trees that dotted our five acres and the Mother's Day cards I crafted in their likeness as a child.

I am from Zora and Otie's line of Bones and Campbells. I am from Sunday sit down dinners and shotguns resting against the kitchen stove.

I am from the "work your fingers to the bone" and from "give a man a dollar and a half's worth of work for every dollar he pays you" ethic.

From the "there'll be no Hell for dogs" and "are you wearing clean underwear" admonitions.

I am from the I believe in God the Father Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth, Sunday School, and those frustrating catechism classes. I am from Missouri Synod Lutherans.

I'm from a small island where you could see the laundry hanging on the lines in both Ireland and Scotland. I'm from fried rabbit and Baked Alaska.

From people with an easy southern charm, slow to anger, quick to laugh. From people who have made me and made me proud.

I am from the good earth and the good people.