Little Bytes of Life

Elizabeth Goes to Washington

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 14:30:00 +0000

Well, my gowns and gloves are packed, and I'm ready to go. This morning, I'm off to Washington, DC, for the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)'s 118th Continental Congress. It's kind of like the Super Bowl of lineage society events, if you know what I mean. You can read about my trip last year here. I decided to spend a few extra days there in order to do some genealogical research at the DAR Library, and possibly the National Archives, something I usually don't have time to do. Am I...

Celebrating Independence Day

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:51:00 +0000

On this anniversary of America's Independence, our family would like to wish a safe and happy 4th of July to all of our readers. Our family's (known) Revolutionary War patriot ancestors: Burwell Blanton (NC) Simon Herring (NC)William Hughes (VA)Isham Lane (NC)Henricus Stonecypher (NC)Leroy Taylor (NC)William Underhill (NC)Our prayers go with our current service men and women, who risk their lives daily in support of freedom. You are not forgotten. May you come home safely to your loved ones...

JAMSTOCK '09: Exclusive Video of the Geneablogger Dinner

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:06:00 +0000

BURBANK - Little Bytes of Life has obtained this exclusive video of the Geneablogger Dinner from an anonymous source. It is not known who the anonymous source is, as the source is completely anonymous. And wants to stay that way. ____________________ DISCLAIMER: I believe that this one speaks for itself. Please, nobody hate me. Copyright © by Elizabeth O'Neal

JAMSTOCK '09: Massive Recycling Effort Underway at the Burbank Marriott

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:20:00 +0000

BURBANK - It was noted Saturday evening at the Geneablogger Dinner that the Daily Grill restaurant at the Burbank Airport Marriott serves extremely large portions of broccoli with their steak dinners. Many of the Geneabloggers did not eat their broccoli, and several were reportedly seen trying to give theirs away to frightened restaurant customers. So, what happens to all the uneaten broccoli at the Burbank Marriott? This reporter has discovered a disturbing similarity between the large...

JAMSTOCK '09: What REALLY Happened at the Geneablogger Dinner

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:51:00 +0000

BURBANK - More than 30 Geneabloggers mobbed the VIP room at the Daily Grill restaurant on Saturday evening. Several non-blogging restaurant patrons were seen running out the door as the Geneabloggers converged. Some of the contraband items confiscated from the bloggers. It is not known what purpose these items served, as none of the bloggers would tell. One blogger reportedly told a non-blogger that "if she was meant to know, she would have them." Several bloggers were seen wearing a black...

JAMSTOCK '09: Son of Blogger Jamfest Rocks the Marriott

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:45:00 +0000

BURBANK - The headline event of Jamstock '09 was the "Son of Blogger" Jamfest, held at the exciting, newly-remodled Burbank Airport Marriott. 9 bloggers rocked the main stage: (L to R) Lisa Louise Cooke, Dick Eastman, Schelly Talalay Dardashti, DearMYRTLE (aka Pat Richley), Craig Manson, The Ancestry Insider (who came in cognito, but claimed to have a cold), Leland Meitzler, Stephen J. Danko, Ph.D., and George G. Morgan, who served as moderator. They are seen here being introduced by JAMSTOCK...

JAMSTOCK '09: BREAKING NEWS

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:01:00 +0000

BURBANK - Dozens of geneabloggers attempted to bring down the Burbank Marriott's wi-fi system by simultaneously blogging and Twittering during the "Son of Blogger" Jamfest. Randy Seaver, pictured above (top right), was responsible for the majority of the Tweets, and was quoted as saying, "We want to see the hastag #scgs09 become a trending topic, or else!" Randy is known for stirring up unrest in the genealogy community with his blog Genea-Musings. The geneabloggers remained quiet during the...

JAMSTOCK '09: Genealogists Stage Sit-In

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:31:00 +0000

BURBANK - Protesting the fact that too many genealogists simply copy family trees off the Internet and neglect to check or cite sources, over 100 local genealogists staged a sit-in at the Library of the Southern California Genealogical Society on Friday morning. Led by well-known rabble rouser Doug Miller, the genealogists grabbed books off of shelves, sat around the tables, and chanted, "Hell no, copied trees must go!" Several genealogists sat on the floor and locked arms, blocking library...

JAMSTOCK '09: Let the Love Begin!

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:08:00 +0000

This summer marks the 40th anniversary of that most famous "Summer of Love" music festival: Woodstock. I was only 5 years old at the time, so unfortunately I missed all the fun. Judging from all the hype in the geneablogosphere, the next best thing will be happening this weekend: Jamstock '09! Hendrix won't be there, but some of the biggest rock stars of genealogy will be. From what I've heard, there will be plenty of opportunities for food, drink, good times, and geneablogger...

I'd Rather Have Had the Change in my Sofa Cushions

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:45:00 +0000

An article in Sunday's newspaper caught my eye. The author was contemplating whether or not one should air one's dirty laundry on a social networking web site. Specifically, the author was referring to folks who had been laid off from work: should they announce this unpleasant news flash in a Twitter or Facebook status update? Or is making one's bad news public in 140 characters or less seen as "desperation?" I've struggled with this dilemma myself for the past several months. "To air, or not...

ProGen Meet-Up at SCGS

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:53:00 +0000

Are you a member of ProGen Study Group 1, 2, or 3? Are you attending the Southern California Genealogical Society (SCGS)’s "Jamboree" this weekend? If so, let’s say, "Hi!" As of today, no formal gathering has been planned. My hope is that we can meet-up at the Welcome Reception on Friday evening at about 5:30ish pm, and those of us who will not be attending the Banquet can decide if we'd like to continue visiting over dinner. I did not get a Banquet ticket – a decision I’m now regretting...

Family Tree DNA Offers Y-DNA Upgrade Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth) — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:54:00 +0000

As the Group Administrator for the Swanay/Swaney DNA Surname Project, I am pleased to tell you about the "Y-DNA Upgrade Sale" currently being offered by FamilyTree DNA. I received the following email yesterday from FTDNA Vice President Max Blankfield: Over the last several years, due to the unmatched growth of our database, numerous people have confirmed and found new connections with others of their surname, and adoptees and descendants of adoptees have even found their biological surname...

Thanks and Belated Thanks!

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth) — Mon, 11 May 2009 21:49:00 +0000

Things have been a bit stressful at the "Little Bytes" household for the past few months. I know I haven't been on the level with you all... but I will, I promise. I've done quite a bit of whining and complaining on Facebook, but I don't want to do that here in this post. I can whine and complain later in a completely new post. As I read my email (which is dreadfully backed up) a few days ago, I found a very sweet comment posted in the previous article. It was from Janice Tracy, who writes the...

Wordless Wednesday: Yesterday's Delta 2 Launch

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth) — Wed, 06 May 2009 09:02:00 +0000

...as seen from my backyard. Delta 2 Launch. Photographed by Elizabeth O’Neal, May 5, 2009. [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Santa Barbara Co., California. 2009. More about this launch at Spaceflight Now. More about Wordless Wednesday. Copyright © by Elizabeth O'Neal

Genealogy Action Alert: Preserving the American Historical Record

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth) — Tue, 05 May 2009 17:29:00 +0000

"Preserving the American Historical Record" is a bill to provide federal formula grants to every state for projects that preserve historical records and make them more accessible. As genealogists, we certainly want those records preserved and accessible! Current Status: Representatives Maurice Hinchey (D-NY-22) and John McHugh (R-NY-23) reintroduced the PAHR bill in the House of Representatives on April 30, 2009. What can you do to help? Ask your representative to sign on as a co-sponsor of...

Central Coast Genealogy Calendar: May 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth) — Tue, 05 May 2009 16:50:00 +0000

Saturday, May 2 San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society 12:30 - 1:00 PM Research Class: "Internet Boom Town: What's New for Genealogy?!" with Cafi Cohen 1:00 PM - Business Meeting 1:15 - 1:45 PM - Social time; book & drawing sales, snacks, coffee & tea 1:45 PM - Main Room - "Swedish Research" with Roma Miller 1:45 PM - Lunch Room - "Case Study: Big City Research Online" with Cafi Cohen Thursday, May 7 Monterey County Genealogical Society 7:00 PM (Doors open at 6:00 PM) Gale Foss -...

Wordless Wednesday: Three Pados

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 09:27:00 +0000

Mary, John, and Anne Pado. Photograph. Undated. Digital image. Privately held by Elizabeth O’Neal, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Santa Barbara Co., California. 2009. About Wordless Wednesday. Copyright © by Elizabeth O'Neal

A Noble Life: On the Railroad

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:48:00 +0000

Life on the railroad - especially in its early days - was hard. The physical labor was exhuasting, there were long hours away from the family, and it was dangerous. Men were frequently injured, often fatally. But the railroad connected our country and made east/west travel much more accessible. I have absolutely no idea who these men are or where the photo was taken. The original photo was found in a very old family album which I borrowed from my cousin (and need to finish scanning!). On the...

DAR Genealogy Workshop

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 10:13:00 +0000

Members of the Captain Henry Sweetser Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will be holding a Genealogy Workshop on Sunday, April 19, 2009, from 2:00-5:00 p.m., in Santa Maria. Anyone wishing to work on ANY kind of DAR application, or DAR-related genealogical research, is welcome at this workshop... whether it's your DAR membership application, current members' supplemental applications, or that "stuck-on-you" research (you know, those stubborn ancestors who are holding up your...

Wordless Wednesday: Little Grave Robber

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 10:05:00 +0000

Tombstone Tuesday: Patrick & Johannah (Genan) McGraw

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:16:00 +0000

My great-great-great grandparents, Patrick and Johannah (Genan) MCGRAW are buried in Saint Edwards Catholic Cemetery in Afton, Iowa. PATRICK MCGRAW and wife, JOHANNA, both born in County Clare, Ireland, came to the United States before 1855 and worked on the railroad in Pennsylvania until 1865, when he moved to Sangamon County, Illinois, where he farmed until he moved to Ringgold County, Iowa, north of Beaconsfield. Both are buried at Afton. He died February 25, 1888, age 80 years. She died...

Central Coast Lineage Groups Calendar: April 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:22:00 +0000

Friday, April 3 United Daughters of the Confederacy - Arlington Chapter San Luis Obispo 11:00 AM Friday, April 10 Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War Laura Belle Stoddard Tent 22 Santa Barbara Saturday, April 11 Captain Henry Sweetser Chapter DAR Santa Maria 10:00 AM - Noon Alicia Valdivienzo - "Citizenship Program at Allan Hancock College" (Note program change) Thursday, April 16 El Paso de Robles Chapter DAR Paso Robles Saturday, April 18 Rancho Purisima Chapter DAR Lompoc 10:00...

Central Coast Genealogy Calendar: April 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:07:00 +0000

If April showers bring May flowers, what do Mayflowers bring? Ancestors! Thursday, April 2 Monterey County Genealogical Society 7:00 PM (Doors open at 6:00 PM) Kenyatta D. Berry - "Royalty or Revolutionary: Using Oral History to Reveal the Truth about Your Heritage" Saturday, April 4 San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society 12:30 - 1:00 PM Research Class: "Questions & Answers on Jewish & Eastern European Research" with Steve Morse 1:00 PM - Business Meeting 1:15 - 1:45 PM - Social...

Wordless Wednesday: The Adobe Burros

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:04:00 +0000

"Petting the Adobe Burros," (Dana Adobe, Nipomo, San Luis Obispo Co., California). Digital Image. Photographed by Elizabeth O'Neal, December 14, 2008. About Wordless Wednesday. Copyright © 2008 by Elizabeth O'Neal

Dear Genea-Santa: Wishin' Impossible?

noreply@blogger.com (Elizabeth) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:57:00 +0000

Dear Genea-Santa, Every Christmas with my precious daughter and husband has been so special. Seeing Christmas again through the eyes of a child has served as a reminder that this season is about sharing love with the people who mean the most to us. However, this year I've got a few extra requests for myself that I really hope you will be able to fulfill. I know it will be hard to find these things, but if anyone can do it, it's you, Genea-Santa! 1. Any information about Miles SWANAY...