Saturday, June 14, 2014

Kathy's Gates to the Past : SLIG Registration now open!

Kathy's Gates to the Past : SLIG Registration now open!: SLIG registration is now open--HOWEVER!--Tom Jones's Advanced Methodology and the DNA class sold out in less than 5 minutes.  Must be a...

SLIG Registration now open!

SLIG registration is now open--HOWEVER!--Tom Jones's Advanced Methodology and the DNA class sold out in less than 5 minutes.  Must be a record.


I'm in on the Advanced Evidence Practicum, and I imagine that will sell out soon enough. Half the seats are taken already. :)


For a list of classes and registration, go to http://www.infouga.org/cpage.php?pt=42


Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Kathy's Gates to the Past : Book Review: "Out of Style: a Modern Perspective o...

Kathy's Gates to the Past : Book Review: "Out of Style: a Modern Perspective o...: While at the Jamboree genealogy conference this last weekend, I finally came across a book I've been trying to get my hands on for some ...

Book Review: "Out of Style: a Modern Perspective of How, Why and When Vintage Fashions Evolved"

While at the Jamboree genealogy conference this last weekend, I finally came across a book I've been trying to get my hands on for some time.  It's called "Out of Style: a Modern Perspective of How, Why and When Vintage Fashions Evolved", by Betty Kreisel Shubert.


It's a delightful, easy-to-read, light reading on the ever-changing styles of the 19th and 20th American fashions. Going back to 1830 and covering everything from hairstyles, hats, bodices, sleeves, hoop skirts, the author even found time to include men's and children's fashions. Lots of insightful commentary explaining each style. I had no idea that there were two different types of hoop skirts--the cone-shaped style and the cage-crinoline style. And there's the nine (yes, 9!) phases and styles of bustles. Who knew? I do now!


The book itself is not expected to be genealogical in nature, but it does have its value. Think about all those photos, portraits, and drawings of our ancestors that we cherish--and notice the fashion changes from one decade to another. This book is a great way to help us date those undated pictures of our ancestors.


Three days since Jamboree 2014 ended. I'm still exhausted, but playing with the ideas and clues I've picked up. :)

Monday, June 9, 2014

Kathy's Gates to the Past : Jamboree finale and upcoming conferences

Kathy's Gates to the Past : Jamboree finale and upcoming conferences: It's official--Jamboree 2014 is over and I am exhausted! I really enjoyed this year's conference--I felt like I was at play with gen...

Jamboree finale and upcoming conferences

It's official--Jamboree 2014 is over and I am exhausted! I really enjoyed this year's conference--I felt like I was at play with genealogy. I met with fellow genealogists and shared research stories. Served as an APG consultant providing suggestions to others who had hit the proverbial brick wall.  And got recruited as the secretary to the Southern California Chapter of the APG. Learning how to use the Find My Past website.


Next year's Jamboree will take place the first weekend of June, 2015, in its usual place at the Burbank Marriott Hotel, across the street from the Bob Hope Burbank Airport. Looking forward to it already.


Other conference tidbits:
1. The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) will open its registration this weekend--Saturday, June 14th. Remember that they offer several fantastic tracks, and registration for some (especially Tom Jones') will fill within minutes, if not by the end of day. But, it's worth it! Check out the website at: http://www.infouga.org/cpage.php?pt=42


2. I'm seeing posts from various people that the assigned hotels for next year's NGS conference are already nearly full and reservations are hard to get.  The conference is 13-15 May 2015 in St. Charles, Missouri. If you're planning on attending, now seems to be the time to find that hotel room!


3. The FGS (Federation of Genealogical Societies) and RootsTech are back-to-back in 2015.  Thanks to Dick Eastman who provided this information about both conferences:  Four Salt Lake City hotels are now taking reservations for the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) and RootsTech conferences, which will be held February 11–14, 2015 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City.


The Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City Downtown, Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek, Salt Lake Plaza Hotel, and Hilton Salt Lake City Center will offer reduced rates to attendees of both conferences. Each hotel is conveniently located near the Salt Palace Convention Center. Conference rates will be honored for reservation dates February 7 – 19, 2015. Reservations must be made by January 13, 2015 to receive the conference rates.


Reserve your rooms now through the FGS conference website at: http://www.fgsconference.org/2015/lodging.


Registration for both conferences will open in late August 2014. For additional information about the FGS conference visit www.FGSconference.org/2015.


See you at the conferences!!

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Kathy's Gates to the Past : Jamboree time!!

Kathy's Gates to the Past : Jamboree time!!: Today--Saturday, June 7--is the second day of the Jamboree conference.  This wonderful genealogy conference is hosted and run by the Souther...

Kathy's Gates to the Past : Genealogy on TV

Kathy's Gates to the Past : Genealogy on TV: Are you a fan of Genealogy Roadshow? or Who Do You Think You Are? If so, here's the good news: Genealogy Roadshow will have a second sea...

Genealogy on TV

Are you a fan of Genealogy Roadshow? or Who Do You Think You Are? If so, here's the good news: Genealogy Roadshow will have a second season in the works, tentatively to air in 2015.


Season 5 of Who Do You Think You Are will air its first episode on July 23rd on the TLC network.  Some of the celebrities featured will include Cynthia Nixon (Sex and the City), Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland and One Day at a Time), Rachel McAdams, Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls), and Kelsey Graham (Frasier and Cheers).


Looking forward to seeing both shows return to the airwaves.

Jamboree time!!

Today--Saturday, June 7--is the second day of the Jamboree conference.  This wonderful genealogy conference is hosted and run by the Southern California Genealogy Society.  The last two days has left my head spinning--and there's still tomorrow! :)


Highlights for me (so far) include learning the history of the Erie Canal, the largest man-made canal for its time.  It was built in the early 1800's and opened to its fullest extent by 1825. Several dozen jobs were created because of the Canal, which still functions today.  Thanks to John P. Colletta for that historical lecture.  John also spoke on how to use State Archives, which is not easy in that each state has its own way of organizing archival materials.


Judy Russell, the Legal Genealogist, gave a great talk on the "Who, What, Why, When, Where and How of American Divorce" and difficult it was to get a divorce in the 19th century.  Imagine having to go to the state legislature and ask for permission (via legislative action) to get a divorce.  Or going to the state (or territorial) governor for permission.  And knowing how slow the legislative system can be (and not counting Congress!), what a burden it was.


Today, for the first time, I volunteered for the APG (Association of Professional Genealogists) consulting sessions.  Flying without my laptop and internet access, my job was to be a second set of eyes for beginner genealogists looking for advice and guidance in their own research.  What a way to stretch my genealogical muscles!! 


And to make things interesting, the president of the Southern California chapter of the APG asked me to become the chapter secretary.  I said yes. :) And then we had our meeting and had to take notes by hand--crazy reminder to never leave home without my laptop!


Now off to type up the minutes of my first meeting as secretary.  More to follow tomorrow if I am still upright and breathing.....