Little Bytes of Life

Giving Their Face a Place: Mystery Woman with Scarf

littlebytesoflife@gmail.com (Elizabeth O'Neal) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:20:00 +0000

This young woman's photo was found in my grandmother's album (now in the possession of my cousin). I do not know who she is, although I suspect she is a sister, cousin, or other relative of my grandmother, Reba (Dunn) Swanay. The photo is glued to one of those black, paper albums, so there is no way to see if anything is written on the back.

I love the expression on her face, her hair (is that a braid? other decoration?), and the casual pose. I also find her dress fascinating; the scarf pinned to the front of her dress looks almost like a man's tie.

My guess is that the photo was taken some time in the 1920's.

I hope that someone will recognize this lovely lady so I can not only give her face a place... but also a name.

* * *

This post was composed for the 21st Edition, Smile for the Camera: Give Their Face a Place.

"Mystery Woman with Scarf" Digital image. Date unknown. Original photograph privately held by [NAME AND ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Benton Co., Washington. 2010.

Wordless Wednesday: Beautiful Baby Girl

littlebytesoflife@gmail.com (Elizabeth O'Neal) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:02:00 +0000

"Reba Dunn: Beautiful Baby Girl" Digital image. Undated. Original photograph privately held by [NAME AND ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Benton Co., Washington. 2010.

About Wordless Wednesday.

Scenes From Around Hearst Castle

littlebytesoflife@gmail.com (Elizabeth O'Neal) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:15:00 +0000

A couple weeks ago, my family attended the California C.A.R. State Conference in Cambria which also included a tour of the famous Hearst Castle. Loaded with history, antiques, and intriguing artifacts, Hearst Castle is a photographer's dream location. If your travels ever take you to the San Simeon area, I encourage you to take the tour - it's well worth your time and money.

The wonder of it all...

Yeah, you've seen this before, but I couldn't resist. I've always loved this pool view.

Ordinarily, I don't like a vertical object jutting up in the center of a photo, but I kind of like the way this one separates the blue sky from the clouds. Pure photographic serendipity.

That really should be me lounging by the koi pond.

Even the rich need condiments.

One of the many antique sarcophagi on the property. Apparently they also make nice planters.

Doesn't everyone put their ancient Egyptian sculptures in the backyard?

I'm disappointed that a head ruined this shot, so I slapped a watermark over it. Take that, mystery head!

Who wouldn't love THIS view at the end of the day?

Central Coast Genealogy Calendar: March 2010

littlebytesoflife@gmail.com (Elizabeth O'Neal) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:44:00 +0000

Thursday, March 4
Monterey County Genealogical Society
7:00 PM (doors open at 6:00 PM)
Gary Carlsen - "U.S. Gen Web Project"

Saturday, March 6
Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
HOW-TO Genealogy Seminar: Something for Everyone! Featuring The Genealogy Guys!

Saturday, March 6
San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society
12:30 - 1:00 PM - Research Class: Grow Your Tree with Cluster Genealogy – Cafi Cohen
1:00 PM - Business Meeting
1:15 - 1:45 PM - Social time: book and drawing sales, snacks, coffee and tea
1:45 PM – Nancy Loe – "Think Like An Archivist"

Sunday, March 7
Jewish Genealogical Society of the Conejo Valley and Ventura County
1:30 - 3:30 PM
Steve Luxenberg - "Annie’s Ghosts"

Tuesday, March 9
Conejo Valley Genealogical Society
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Computer Interest Group Meeting
Garl Satterthwaite – "Legacy – Beginning to Intermediate"

Friday, March 12
San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society
10:30 AM - Noon
Hands-On Computer Genealogy – "Chinking at the Mortar of Your Brick Walls: Help with online searches"

Saturday, March 13
Ventura County Genealogical Society
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Toby Scott - "Getting the Most Out of Our Computers While Keeping Them Safe"

Tuesday, March 16
Conejo Valley Genealogical Society
6:45 - 8:45 PM - General Meeting
Marc Cohen - "History of Wells Fargo"

Saturday, March 20
Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society
9:30 AM - Special Interest Groups meet
10:30 - 12:00 PM - General Meeting
Cari Thomas - "Triple-Dipping at the U.S. Pension Bureau"

Please send me an email if you would like to have your event included in this monthly calendar series.

News from the Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society

littlebytesoflife@gmail.com (Elizabeth O'Neal) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 23:14:00 +0000

The Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society has a couple of exciting things coming up this weekend and next. Get your radios out for the first one:

SBCGS is on the air!

"In the Public Interest"

The weekly radio local show, "In the Public Interest," hosted by Rincon Broadcasting's News & Public Affairs Director Peter Bie will feature the Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society!

The show is slated to air on February 27 and 28 on the following stations:

Saturday (Feb 27):
1:00 pm, KIST-AM 1490

Sunday (Feb 28):
6:30 am, K-LITE 101.7 FM (listen online)
8:30 am, KIST-AM 1490
5:00 pm, KTMS-AM 990
11:30 pm, KTYD 99.9 FM (listen online)

Tune In - and Tell Your Friends!

Also, next weekend the SBCGS will be featuring Drew Smith and George G. Morgan, "The Genealogy Guys," in a terrific seminar that promises something for everyone:

HOW-TO Genealogy Seminar: Something for Everyone!
featuring The Genealogy Guys!
Saturday, 6 March 2010
Goleta Presbyterian Church (behind Fairview Center)
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
(Registration begins at 8:00 AM)

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Curtis Solberg
"Seeking Connections--A Journey of Personal Discover."

Free Genealogy Guys Podcast from 3:00-4:00 pm
Open to the Public at 2:30 pm

For more information, or to register for the seminar, please visit the Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society's web site. Be sure to also check out the SBCGS Blog for news and updates about society events.

I'm really hoping to make it to next weekend's seminar, but I'm still waiting to find out if I've got a babysitter (Hubs). Maybe you'll hear me on the next "Genealogy Guys'" podcast!

Graphic above borrowed from the SBCGS.

My Glass is Full (But I Think I Like it That Way)

littlebytesoflife@gmail.com (Elizabeth O'Neal) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:20:00 +0000

This past week has been filled with so much good news and so many changes that I just don't know how much more my heart can take! Don't get me wrong: I love, love, love good news. But I'm a "glass-half-empty" kinda gal, so I tend to get suspicious when there's what seems like an overabundance of good stuff coming my way.

My big news today - as you can see above - is that "Little Bytes of Life" has been named one of FamilyTree Magazine's "40 Best Genealogy Blogs." When I found this out this morning, you could have knocked me over with a feather. I was, and still am, stunned. Like most Oscar nominees, I felt that it was just an honor to be nominated. But... wow. I really don't know what to say except... WOW.

Maureen Taylor (one of my idols), in her article "Fab Forty," had this to say:

This former teacher named Elizabeth writes about genealogy news, lectures she's attended, how-tos (such as adding watermarks to digital photos), family stories and other topics. Clear writing, gorgeous photos and an attractive layout reminiscent of a scrapbook draws a reader in and won't let go.

There are 2 people in this house who refuse to listen to me, so it's good to know that I'm able to keep somebody interested.

When you check out the link above and see my esteemed company, you'll understand why this is such an honor. Seriously, the other 39 blogs are so outstanding, and I congratulate them all.

Many, many thanks to FamilyTree Magazine and to all who voted for this little blog. I am humbled and honored.

***

So what's my other good news? Well, here are a couple of highlights of the past week that I can share:

This past weekend was our California C.A.R. State Conference. I have been appointed (awaiting official confirmation) as the next Senior State President, and will officially be installed at the National Convention in April in Washington, DC. I'm really excited to be working with such a terrific group of kids, particularly our incoming state president, who has a wonderful project in store for the next year. I'm sure you'll be hearing more about that here, as I find it hard not to brag about the good stuff these kids do. ;-)

I found out last week that I was accepted to the National Institute on Genealogical Research (NIGR) in Washington, DC, in July. Now, by "accepted" I don't mean that I'm any more wonderful than any other applicant; it just means that a very smart ProGen advisor told me to send my application in pronto because applicants are admitted on a first come, first served, basis, and spots fill up quickly. But I'm nonetheless excited to be going, as it will be an intense week of all things NARA.

There's one other little thing that I can't talk about just yet... but it's very exciting (to me, anyway).

***

Just to give things perspective, I'll share this other thing with you. I discovered this morning that I left the power cord for my netbook at the hotel yesterday. (Right now, I'm using my glitchy 17" HP - boo, hiss - laptop in SAFE MODE, so I'm not a happy girl. I've had nothing but problems with this laptop, and have almost taken a hammer to it many times.)

So what's good about this? Nothing really, except that the hotel found my cord, and I can go get it tomorrow. Of all the times I've left power cords at hotels (and there have been many), I have NEVER had one found.

Weird.

***

I'm going to go let all of this sink in now. That glass is looking a bit full to me, and I'm not sure what to do with it.

Wordless Wednesday: She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not

littlebytesoflife@gmail.com (Elizabeth O'Neal) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:26:00 +0000

"She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not: Photo of Unknown Couple" Digital image. Undated. Original photograph privately held by [NAME AND ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Benton Co., Washington. 2010.

About Wordless Wednesday.

Happy Reflections on a Busy Year

littlebytesoflife@gmail.com (Elizabeth O'Neal) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 01:50:00 +0000

Things have been quiet here on "Little Bytes of Life," but they have definitely not been quiet in our household.

Those of you who are members of DAR or C.A.R. know what I'm talking about. For those of you who aren't, let me explain. This time of year is a bit like DAR/C.A.R. "tax time." It's the time of year when we report on all the activities of our particular chapter or society.

***

I talk about the DAR a lot here, but what many of you probably don't know about me is that I also serve as a "senior" leader (the adults are called "seniors - it has nothing to do with my advancing age, thank you) for our local society of the Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R).

What is the C.A.R.? Well, it's kind of like the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), or Sons of the Revolution (S.R.), except that it's for kids, from birth to age 22. That kind of trivializes it, though.

From the National Society's web site:

C.A.R., the nation's oldest, largest, patriotic youth organization, offers membership to anyone under the age of 21, lineally descended from someone who rendered material aid to the cause of American Independence as a soldier, sailor, civil officer, or recognized patriot in one of the several Colonies or States, or of the United States.

I enjoy it because it's something I can do with my daughter. We can even drag Daddy along occasionally for some family time. As a homeschool mom, I'm always looking for educational activities for my daughter, and C.A.R. membership offers multiple opportunities for those. Kids learn about history, government, conservation, and technology, among others, and can gain leadership experience at a variety of levels.

Plus - and I'll let you in on a little secret - when it comes time to join the DAR, SAR, or S.R., a C.A.R. member in good standing (current on his/her dues) does not have to pay the application fee. This can be a substantial savings, depending on the group to which he/she is applying.

I could go on an on, extolling the virtues of C.A.R. membership, but I won't do that now. I'll save it for another post instead.

***

For the past couple of weeks, I've been stuck behind a computer, furiously preparing a variety of reports to ~~brag on~~ report about for our little group. It's always an interesting process to look back and reflect on what was accomplished during the year. Kind of like what many folks do at the end of a calendar year... except with about a ream of paper and lots of printer ink.

Why do we go to so much work every year? Well, as a group so heavily involved in historical preservation, it's important to get everything "on the record" and recorded in our history books. Annual histories are compiled and preserved by the society historians at various levels so future generations can see what was done back in good 'ol 2009.

Plus, I'd be lying if I said there weren't awards involved.

So having reflected on the past year and completed all my reports, I'd like to share a few of the things our group did last year that I enjoyed most, or am most proud of:

Attending the Sons of the American Revolution's (SAR) 27th Annual "George Washington Massing of the Colors and Salute to our Armed Forces" at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles. It was truly an amazing sight to see so many color guards together in one place.

Putting flags on the graves of veterans buried at the Santa Maria Cemetery in preparation for Memorial Day. This was our second year of participation. Yes, I know my kid is dragging a flag on the ground, but you can only tell an almost-3-year-old something so many times.

My little one presenting a wreath at a Memorial Day Ceremony. Mommy was very proud.

Attending the Chumash Intertribal Pow-Wow for the first time. It was a beautiful ceremony that you really have to see and hear for yourself. More photos of this event here.

Accepting a proclamation from the Mayor. The short person is my kid.

Participating in a Veterans Day parade.

Presenting a wreath during a Wreaths Across America ceremony.

But what I think I'm most excited about is our growth in membership. We gained 12 new members this past year, which nearly doubles our group in size. That may not sound like much, but with society (genealogical and lineage) membership declining all over, it's a lot! I'm so happy to have had a hand in growing our group, and I'm so proud of what they accomplished this past year.

We're looking forward to our C.A.R. State Conference, which is coming up later this month in Cambria. It's always inspiring to see the kids run their own meetings, complete with processionals, gavels, and parliamentary procedure. Each officer and state chairman gives a report, and the candidates for office must give their "campaign" speeches. An election is held, and even the littlest members get a vote (with help from Mom and Dad, of course). At the evening banquet, awards are given out, the newly-elected officers are introduced, and everyone dances the night away... at least, until curfew.

This year's conference includes a trip to Hearst Castle, a place that I haven't seen in at least 30 years. I seem to recall that it had a really big swimming pool.

To learn more about the C.A.R., visit the National Society, California State Society, or ask me.

Central Coast Genealogy Calendar: February 2010

littlebytesoflife@gmail.com (Elizabeth O'Neal) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:24:00 +0000

Monday, February 1
Jewish Genealogical Society of the Conejo Valley and Ventura County
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Ron Arons - "Mapping Madness"

Thursday, February 4
Monterey County Genealogical Society
7:00 PM (doors open at 6:00 PM)
Dayna Jacobs - "Record Search Pilot, Historical Books, and FamilySearchWiki"

Saturday, February 6
San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society
All-Day Seminar Featuring Megan Smolenyak, Maureen Taylor, and Geoff Rasmussen

Tuesday, February 9
Conejo Valley Genealogical Society
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Computer Interest Group Meeting
Claude Giddings - "Digital Photography"

Tuesday, February 16
Conejo Valley Genealogical Society
6:45 - 8:45 PM - General Meeting
Topic TBA

Saturday, February 20
Ventura County Genealogical Society
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Gena Philibert Ortega - "19th Century American Religion and Religious Records"

Saturday, February 20
Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society
Featured Speaker: Jeff Richman
9:30 - 10:15 AM - "No Longer Forgotten: The Search for Civil War Veterans at Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery"
11:00 - 12:00 PM - "Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery: Unearthing New York's Buried Treasures"

Please send me an email if you would like to have your event included in this monthly calendar series.

Exciting News About the Upcoming SLOCGS Seminar!

littlebytesoflife@gmail.com (Elizabeth O'Neal) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 02:07:00 +0000

If you're going to be anywhere near the San Luis Obispo area on Saturday, February 6th, you won't want to miss the San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society's upcoming seminar. I had already registered and was looking forward to attending this event, but imagine how thrilled I was to get this message from the seminar chairmen:

We just had an exciting development regarding the San Luis Obispo Co. Genealogical Society February 6, 2010 Genealogy Seminar.

Our photography speaker had to opt out due to a back injury, and we managed to wrangle instead one of the biggest names in the genealogy business for dating old photos and photo preservation. Maureen Taylor has written several books and been on the Today Show several times (see http://www.photodetective.com/) . In addition to speaking, Maureen is offering 15-minute consultations to Seminar attendees to discuss their family photos, if they bring them. She says she can usually analyze 2-3 photos in each 15 minute time period. Don’t miss this opportunity to get expert help dating and analyzing photos of your relatives.

Geoff Rasmussen also answered our urgent call for a "fill-in." He is with LegacyFamilyTree, producer of one of the major genealogy software programs (http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/). In addition to his two presentations, Geoff is bringing a laptop computer to raffle off FREE to attendees.

Please find links to the websites of Megan Smolenyak, Maureen Taylor, and Geoff Rasmussen, and pre-registration info at: http://kcbx.net/~slogen/10seminar.html and http://kcbx.net/~slogen/10seminar-sched.html . Only pre-registrants are guaranteed a copy of the syllabus seminar. If you have already registered and indicated preferences for certain sessions, you may change those the day of the seminar.

The combination of Megan Smolenyak (Chief Family Historian for www.Ancestry.com , largest genealogy database site on the Internet), Maureen Taylor, and Geoff Rasmussen makes this a stellar event for the central coast. It is worth cancelling other activities because all of these speakers dazzle every time out of the gate – and you do not have to go to a major conference in Los Angeles to see them. Please forward this email to your friends, family, and neighbors.

Wow! To say that it's rare to get such big genealogy names out here on the central coast would be an understatement. For what it's worth, I have attended workshops/lectures given by Maureen and Megan in the past, and they're both outstanding speakers.

Please visit the San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society's web site for registration information. Pre-registration prices are in effect until January 30, 2010.

And please say "hello" if you come to the seminar! I'll be the one bothering Maureen Taylor with entirely too many photos.

Wordless Wednesday: Sharp Dressed Man

littlebytesoflife@gmail.com (Elizabeth O'Neal) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:55:00 +0000

"Lee Swanay: Sharp Dressed Man." Digital image. Undated. Original photograph privately held by [NAME AND ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Benton Co., Washington. 2010.

About Wordless Wednesday.

More New Genealogy-Related iPhone Apps: California & Texas Birth Records

littlebytesoflife@gmail.com (Elizabeth O'Neal) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:01:00 +0000

A few interesting, new, genealogy-related iPhone applications have debuted this week:

Ancestry.com announced their new Tree to Go mobile app, which allows you to access your previously-uploaded Ancestry family tree on your iPhone. You can read more about this app on the Ancesry.com Blog and at Geneabloggers (hat tip to @durinda for being the first to make me aware of this new app!).

* * *

Also new this week are the California Birth Record Search and Texas Birth Record Search apps, both from FQ Publishing.

The California Birth Record Search is the first of its kind in birth vital records for the State of California. California Birth Record Search givens users the ability to quickly search millions of California birth records and instantly display the results on their mobile device. The records include birth name, date of birth, gender, county of birth and the mother's maiden name. The California Birth Record Search is the perfect application for those conducting research on California births, those doing genealogical research and also for those just trying to find out when a friends birthday is! California Birth Record Search is available for a one-time fee, no reoccurring fees for unlimited access!

Very limited information is given about this app, but it appears to be a mobile version of the California Birth Index, 1905-1995, which is already available online in several places.

Being a California genealogist (and a new iPhone app addict), I couldn't resist downloading the California Birth Record Search app. I looked up several friends and family members, and could not find any birth dates later than 1995. The search engine is fairly fast, but there is no "searching" indicator. There were a few times when I couldn't tell if it was doing anything or not (I'm impatient that way).

The search results include a person's name, gender, date of birth, mother's maiden name, and county of birth.

For only .99 cents, this app may prove useful to genealogists-on-the-go doing California research. If not, think of all the fun you'll have playing "I Can Guess Your Birthday" with your friends at parties!

(I did not try out the Texas Birth Record Search app, since I don't do any reasearch in Texas. I'm guessing it works much the same as the California app.)

These apps are compatible with the iPhone (OS 3.0 and later) and iPod Touch.

For more information or to download these iPhone applications, please visit the iPhone App Store.

* * *

Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Apple or the iPhone App Store. I own an iPhone, which I paid for with my husband's very own money.

VA Selects Permanent Location for Historic Civil War Monument

littlebytesoflife@gmail.com (Elizabeth O'Neal) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:39:00 +0000

December 30, 2009
WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced today the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has selected the Frazier International History Museum in Louisville, Ky., as the new home of the Bloedner Monument, the nation's oldest Civil War memorial.

The Bloedner Monument was removed from Cave Hill National Cemetery in Louisville in December 2008 and taken to a temporary facility where it was professionally conserved by Conservation Solutions Inc. to arrest further damage.

"The removal of an important monument from a national cemetery is rare and was not undertaken without great deliberation," said Secretary Shinseki. "However, the overwhelming significance of the Bloedner Monument and its failing condition warranted this unusual step."

The monument was carved in January 1862 by Pvt. August Bloedner to commemorate his fellow soldiers of the 32nd Indiana Infantry, all of them German immigrants who fell in the Battle of Rowlett's Station near Munfordville, Ky. The monument's original location was on the battlefield, marking the graves of 13 soldiers who perished there. When most of these remains were removed to Cave Hill National Cemetery in 1867, the Bloedner Monument was moved there as well.

VA historians, in collaboration with the Kentucky Heritage Council and Heritage Preservation Inc., selected the Frazier International Museum as the new home from three interested facilities based on Civil War exhibit plans, controlled environment and security, financial stability, annual visitation and proximity to Cave Hill National Cemetery.

The monument was fabricated from St. Genevieve limestone, with a base of Bedford limestone added in 1867. It measures approximately 5 feet long, 1 foot deep and 3½ feet high. The monument is carved on one side with a relief of an eagle and an inscription in German in a rustic script. The text was approximately 300 words and 2,500 characters long at the time it was carved. Because of the poor quality of the limestone and effects of the environment, the monument has lost a significant amount of material. Only about 50 percent of the original carving and inscription remains.

The monument was temporarily relocated to a University of Louisville facility for treatment while VA conducted a thorough evaluation of potential sites. The evaluation process included written proposals and site visits. VA posted information on the Internet, mailed information to Veterans and Civil War heritage groups and held a public information meeting to solicit suggestions.

A new monument, with an interpretive sign explaining the significance of the original Bloedner Monument and indicating its location, will be placed at Cave Hill National Cemetery in 2010.

***

News release from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
More about the preservation of the monument.
Image of the Bloedner Monument from United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Wordless Wednesday: Bessie Chops Wood

littlebytesoflife@gmail.com (Elizabeth O'Neal) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:46:00 +0000

"Bessie Swanay Chopping Wood." Digital image. Undated. Original photograph privately held by [NAME AND ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Benton Co., Washington. 2010.

About Wordless Wednesday.

Central Coast Genealogy Calendar: January 2010

littlebytesoflife@gmail.com (Elizabeth O'Neal) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 07:04:00 +0000

Thursday, January 7
Monterey County Genealogical Society
7:00 PM (doors open at 6:00 PM)
Dr. Rob Chapman - "NewEnglandAncestors.org: Website of the New England Genealogical Society, founded in 1845"

Friday, January 8
San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society
10:30 AM - Noon
Hands-On Computer Genealogy - "Using the Online Family History Library Catalog"

Saturday, January 9
San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society
Regular Meeting - Topic TBA

Sunday, January 10
Jewish Genealogical Society of the Conejo Valley and Ventura County
1:30 - 3:30 PM
Debra Kay Blatt and Jan Meisels Allen - "How to Begin Your Genealogy"

Tuesday, January 12
Conejo Valley Genealogical Society
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Computer Interest Group Meeting - Topic TBA

Saturday, January 16
Ventura County Genealogical Society
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Connie Moretti - "Immigrant Ancestors before 1776"

Tuesday, January 19
Conejo Valley Genealogical Society
5:30 - 6:30 PM - Genealogy Tools
6:45 - 8:45 PM - General Meeting
Topic TBA

Saturday, January 23
Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society
9:00 - 12:00 PM
General Meeting - Topic TBA

Be sure to check out the listing of winter genealogy classes offered by the Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society in association with Santa Barbara City College Adult Education. You must register through SBCC. Classes begin on January 19.

Please send me an email if you would like to have your event included in this monthly calendar series.

Wishing You a Happy New Year!

littlebytesoflife@gmail.com (Elizabeth O'Neal) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 08:10:00 +0000

Wishing you a wonderful New Year! May all your 2010 resolutions come true!

Clip art by The Graphics Fairy.

Uncorked: My Goals for 2010

littlebytesoflife@gmail.com (Elizabeth O'Neal) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:47:00 +0000

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. ~Bill Vaughan

Like many of you, I am not sorry to see 2009 end. I would have pushed it out months ago, if that was possible.

It was a year filled with worry, change, and unpleasant challenges, but it was also a year filled with amazing growth, both for me personally, and for my family. I've made so many wonderful friends through blogging and attending genealogy conferences, and I feel that I've made a great deal of progress in my genealogical education.

Plus, my daughter was potty-trained. Everything else is gravy.

What will 2010 bring? Hopefully more of the good stuff and less of the bad stuff.

Ambiguous, I know, but at this point, resolutions for next year are difficult to make. You see, I've agreed to take on a new "job" for a lineage group, and I don't know quite yet how time-intensive it will be, or how it will affect my goals for the year. What I do know is that there will be more paperwork and more travel - to which I'm actually looking forward (to the travel, not the paperwork). I'll have more to say about this in a couple of months.

***

That being said, there are a few genealogically-related things that I would like to accomplish in the coming year. In no particular order:

Finally find the date of death and place of burial for Dennis Daniel DELANEY, my great-great grandfather. Find the place of burial for his wife, Nellie (Coyne/Coin) DELANEY. I'm closing in on these goals - a few phone calls might do the trick!
Finish up work for the ProGen2 Study Group. We've had a wonderful ride, and I've truly enjoyed working with my peer group and our leaders. The end is in sight... about another 5 months to go!
Complete the NGS American Genealogy: Home Study Course. Miles to go here.
Attend the National Institute of Genealogical Research (NIGR) , as well as the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS)-Knoxville and the Southern California Genealogical Society's (SCGS) Jamboree. If I'm really lucky, I'll also make it to the California Family History Expo in Pleasanton.
Attend the N.S.C.A.R. National Convention and the DAR Continental Congress, as well as state conferences for both groups. Try to attend a few SAR meetings, as well, and hopefully drag my husband along for the ride.
Prove that my John S. Brown was, in fact, a Confederate soldier, and submit an application to the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) so I no longer have to hide from them at the SCGS Jamboree.
Prove that my John Blanton was, in fact, a soldier during the War of 1812, and submit an application to the Daughters of 1812 so I can stop hiding from them. as well.
Find a sitter and actually attend meetings for some of the other groups to which I belong.
Take a side trip from Knoxville to Greeneville, TN for some research time.
Do more writing and lecturing.
Start a new blog. Yeah, I know; I need a new blog like I need a hole in my head, but I think it's a good idea, and you'll like it. :-)
Get organized, and start a new database with COMPLETE source citations.
Get those old photos scanned!
Improve my CSS web design skills. Yes, I build web sites. I just don't talk about it a lot.
Make time to READ. This is a habit I've all but given up since my daughter came along, but hopefully I'll be able to find a little more time for it next year.

Ok, that turned out to be a much longer list than I expected. [Insert "High Hopes" song here.]

However, my #1 goal for the year is to get healthy. It's become painfully obvious to me that if I'm going to accomplish any of my goals - and keep up with my turbo-charged daughter - I need to take better care of myself. This was actually my one and only goal for last year, but I got a bit sidetracked with that herniated disc thing. It's difficult to focus on fitness when you're busy figuring out how to lift a coffee cup.

Plus - and I'm sure you moms out there will agree - it's hard to find time for yourself when you're caring for a small child. *I* don't even make it onto my list most days. But for my sake - and my family's - I've got to try harder. Let's face it: I'm not getting any younger here. Time's a-wastin'.

How am I going to accomplish any of this? I'm not quite sure yet, but my copy of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is sitting (still unfinished) on my nightstand, and my Franklin Planner is next to me. Guess it's time to start planning!

I wish you the best of luck in accomplishing YOUR genealogy - and life - goals for 2010!

***

Written for the 87th Edition, Carnival of Genealogy: "New Year's Resolutions!"

Vintage clip art from The Graphics Fairy.

A Merry Christmas to All!

littlebytesoflife@gmail.com (Elizabeth O'Neal) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 04:18:00 +0000

May you have a blessed, peaceful holiday with the ones you love.

Scrapbooking elements by Raspberry Road Designs.

Ready for Santa

littlebytesoflife@gmail.com (Elizabeth O'Neal) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 03:41:00 +0000

This is the first year that my daughter has been excited about Santa's visit. She and Daddy baked cookies, which we left out on the "Santa Plate," along with carrots for the reindeer.

Santa's plate is ready, along with a glass of "special milk." Hopefully we won't see Santa deviate from his course on NORAD's radar after his visit. We'll feel awfully guilty if he gets lost on the way to your house.

We're looking forward to tomorrow morning's excitement!

Wordless Wednesday: The Scot and the Irishman

littlebytesoflife@gmail.com (Elizabeth O'Neal) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:20:00 +0000

"The Scot and the Irishman.." (Santa Barbara Co., California) Photographed by Elizabeth O'Neal, December 23, 2009.

Yes, I collect nutcrackers. These are two of my recent acquisitions, courtesy of Kohl's.

About Wordless Wednesday.

Christmas Gift from WorldVitalRecords.com

littlebytesoflife@gmail.com (Elizabeth O'Neal) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:39:00 +0000

WorldVitalRecords.com announced this mornng that they are offering free access to their databases from December 23 - December 28, 2009. The best part is that there is NO credit card required (it's not really free if you have to give your credit card number, right?).

Also, as I was typing this post (were they reading my mind?), I received a notice that their 40% off savings on the World Collection has been extended to December 28, 2009. This means a subscription rate of $59.95, rather than the usual $99.95.

Please visit WorldVitalRecords.com for more information and to take advantage of these offers.

***

Disclaimer: I am a subscriber to WorldVitalRecords.com, but I paid for my subscription with my very own money.

Carnival of Genealogy: 86th Edition - "Holiday Twofer" is Posted!

littlebytesoflife@gmail.com (Elizabeth O'Neal) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:16:00 +0000

Drop your last-minute shopping lists and head over to see the Carnival of Genealogy: 86th Edition - it's a terrific holiday two-fer! There are so many wonderful articles in this 2-part edition that you'll forget to come up for egg nog!

My submission for Part 1 is here: Advent Calendar: Day 15 - Holiday Happenings!

My part 2 submission is here: An Open Letter to Genea-Santa.

Were you too mired in the holiday craziness to play along this time? Don't worry, there's another COG coming up in 2 weeks:

The topic for the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy will be: New Year's Resolutions! This year is almost over and a new decade is knocking on the door. This is the perfect time to make your New Year resolutions, goals, aims, declarations, intentions, aspirations, objectives, plans, targets, schemes, wishes, or whatever you want to call them! Figure out how you're going to approach your family history research next year, write it up, and share it with us in the COG. The deadline for submissions is January 1, 2010.

Many thanks to Jasia for compiling and hosting this amazing double-edition of the COG! And thanks to footnoteMaven for the beautiful posters.

Advent Calendar: Day 17 - My Old Friend Santa Bank

littlebytesoflife@gmail.com (Elizabeth O'Neal) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 05:03:00 +0000

As I was unpacking the Christmas decorations a few days ago, I was greeted by an old friend whom I hadn't seen in a few years: Santa Bank.

I don't remember when Santa Bank came to live with us. He's been a part of the family for as long as I can remember.

I also don't know where Santa Bank came from. I assume that he was a gift to me when I was a small child. His left foot says that he came from "Mexico." I wish I knew how he got from Mexico to me.

He's got a few cracks and chips, and part of his nose is missing. He's obviously been well-loved.

Somebody raided Santa Bank a while back (probably me). He's still got some coins rattling around inside, but I just leave them there.

Santa Bank hasn't come out to visit for a few years. He's old and fragile (like me), and I was worried that he wouldn't survive my daughter's curiousity.

Hopefully Santa Bank will survive long enough for my daughter's children to forget where he came from.

***

Written for "Treasure Chest Thursday," as well as the Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories series.

Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society "Holiday Share" Program

littlebytesoflife@gmail.com (Elizabeth O'Neal) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:53:00 +0000

On Saturday morning, the Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society will be holding its annual "Holiday Share" program.

When: Saturday, December 19, 2009
Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Where: First Presbyterian Church, Santa Barbara

SBCGS's "Holiday Share" program is always a warm annual tradition. This year we invite you to join us and encourage all of you to consider sharing with your fellow family historian one or more of your treasures:

Heritage holiday tradition

Inspiring or Holiday-themed ancestor story

Photographs or other family images

Memorabilia (medal, ornament, quilt, etc.) with the story behind it

Holiday treats

Genealogical "gadget" or essential website

Projects – Pedigree charts, scrap books, a completed book or "in-progress" memoir – that will inspire your fellow genealogists

Hmmm... I'm all about the gadgets, but Santa hasn't left me any early Christmas presents (that I can carry). Methinks some shopping is in order...

[Visions of an LCD projector, tablet & pen, handheld scanner, iPhone... dance in my head]

Ahem.

For more information about this event, please visit the Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society.

A-Blog Caroling We Go: Christmas Time is Here

littlebytesoflife@gmail.com (Elizabeth O'Neal) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:20:00 +0000

While not a Christmas carol in the traditional sense, this song remains one of my favorites, ever since I first heard it on "A Charlie Brown Christmas" as a child. Hearing it stirs such vivid memories that I'm usually bawling like a little girl before it's over.

Christmas Time is Here

Christmas time is here

Happiness and cheer

Fun for all that children call

Their favorite time of the year

Snowflakes in the air

Carols everywhere

Olden times and ancient rhymes

Of love and dreams to share

Sleigh bells in the air

Beauty everywhere

Yuletide by the fireside

And joyful memories there

Christmas time is here

We'll be drawing near

Oh, that we could always see

Such spirit through the year

Oh, that we could always see

Such spirit through the year...

***

My 2008 Blog Carol.

"Christmas Time is Here" by Vince Guaraldi. Released on Fantasy Inc., Jan 16, 1992.