Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Rootstech 2018 Keynote Speakers Announced

This press release from FamilySearch was received today:

RootsTech 2018 Announces Lineup of Keynote Speakers

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH (January 31, 2018), RootsTech 2018, the world’s largest family history conference hosted by FamilySearch International, announced its full lineup of keynote speakers, including Brandon Stanton, Scott Hamilton, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., and Natalia Lafourcade. Fueled by the popularity of DNA genealogy, social platforms, and related mobile apps, RootsTech had over 50,000 in-person and online attendees in 2017. The conference is held in Salt Lake City, Utah, February 28 through March 3, and select content is broadcast live daily online.

Keynote Speakers

RootsTech 2018 kicks off Wednesday, February 28, with the latest in DNA genealogy classes and other popular topics and a keynote by Steve Rockwood, CEO of FamilySearch International. Brandon Stanton, a world-renowned photographer and storyteller, will then take the stage March 1 to share his remarkable gift of photographing and sharing people’s stories on his website, Humans of New York. Stanton’s art focuses on everyday people—illustrating that every life has an important story. The website and associated Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram posts led to his two New York Times bestselling books.

Scott Hamilton, hailed as one of the greatest male figure skaters of all time, will address the crowd on Friday, March 2. His skating prowess won Hamilton an Olympic Gold Medal, World and US Championships, and induction into both the United States Olympic and World Figure Skating Halls of Fame. Hamilton is a cancer survivor, career TV broadcaster, author, motivational speaker, and—most importantly to him—husband and father.

Saturday, March 3, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., will share his experiences in documenting genealogical and anthropological finds on film and African-American research. Gates is perhaps best known for his current role as host of Finding Your Roots, his groundbreaking genealogy series on PBS. This Emmy Award-winning filmmaker has created 18 documentaries, PBS productions, African American Lives 1 and 2, and documents the lineage of more than a dozen African Americans using genealogy and DNA; Faces of America, a four-part genealogical series, explores family histories of twelve diverse North Americans; and his six-part, The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross, won multiple prestigious awards.

Natalia Lafourcade, internationally recognized singer, songwriter, and one of the most successful singers in the Latin America pop rock genre, will also keynote on Saturday, March 3. She is perhaps most known recently as the voice in the closing credits of the hit Disney movie Coco singing the popular song “Remember Me.” Lafourcade, who has captured hearts all over Mexico and in countries around the world, will share her musical talent and love for family on the RootsTech stage.

Classes

RootsTech 2018 offers more than 300 classes and activities for families and individuals with varying interests and skillsets. Select classes will be broadcast live. Learn more or register at RootsTech.org.

Find this announcement online in the FamilySearch Newsroom.

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About RootsTech

RootsTech, hosted by FamilySearch, is a global conference celebrating families across generations, where people of all ages are inspired to discover and share their memories and connections. This annual event has become the largest of its kind in the world, attracting tens of thousands of participants worldwide.

About FamilySearch

FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,921 family history centers in 129 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

I'm excited to hear from each of these amazing speakers!

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Travel Tuesday-Memories of New Orleans.

Ephemera, those little bits and pieces you find of someone's life, like ticket stubs, postcards, souvenirs etc. can really help tell a story.

Just as you keep little mementos from special events and trips, your ancestors did too. Don't make the mistake of going through a scrapbook or box of "stuff" and throw it out.
Take a good look at what was important enough to save and let it speak to you. If you listen you may hear the story it tells.

My maternal grandmother Azile Juanita (Daughrity) Roberts Sullivan (1921-2009) and her second husband Francis "Frank" Sullivan, Jr. (1922-2004) took a trip to New Orleans in November of 1960.
An adventure I had not known about until I discovered several items saved from the time they were there.

Azile and Frank
Pat O'Brian's
New Orleans
November 1960
©Cheri Hudson Passey

The napkin is seen in the photo above under Azile's glass.

City Guides for all the best places to see.

Post Cards to remember what they saw.

Canal Street

La Fitte's Blacksmith Shop
Bourbon Street

French Quarters

Restaurant Antoine
Front

Restaurant Antoine
Back

The menu from a restaurant.

This postcard sent to my dad while he was at basic training in the U.S.A.F. tells of their visit to the restaurant in November of 1960.
My grandmother writes "we were not too impressed".

Photo Post Card of Antonine's Restaurant

Back of Antoine's Restaurant Postcard
Sent to my dad John Allen Hudson by Azile Juanita (Daughrity) Roberts Sullivan
November 1960

And a map to find their way around. Did they stay in the Bel-Air Motel?

This was a once in a lifetime trip for a small town couple.
Grandmom and Frank went to New Orleans!
What prompted their visit, how long did they stay and how did they travel?
Wish they were here so I could ask.
Thankfully, the ephemera kept throughout several decades tells a part of the story.

Have you discovered clues to your ancestor's travel? What types of items tell their story?

Thanks for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Celebration Sunday~Genealogy Happy Dance!

You know the dance. You know you've done it. The one every researcher does after finding something new. The one where you want to jump up and down and shout to everyone around that you found the document, contacted a cousin who has the family Bible, made a DNA connection or found a whole new branch to your tree. The one that is met with glazed stares and eye rolls.
Celebration Sunday is a place to share your discoveries.
This is a weekly series to enable everyone to tell about their Genealogy Happy Dance moment. This can be done by scrolling down and adding your story to the comments section. You may also put a link to a blog post.

My Happy Dance This Week:
Patience proceeded my Happy Dance this week. After several phone calls between a records repository and the probate court who had to give me permission to view original will books, I finally received word I could set an appointment to see them. The date and time are set for next week. I'm hoping I will find the information needed to connect a generation together and do a follow up Happy Dance right there with the records open in front of me. Original records, there's nothing like them. That in itself is worth a quick step or two!

Share your discovery!

Let the dancing commence!

Share the fun! Click below to tweet this post!

Looking forward to reading about your Happy Dance moment!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,

Saturday, January 27, 2018

Happy New Year from the In-Depth Genealogist!

Happy New Year!

Forward to Friend

January 27, 2018 Volume 7, Issue 1

From the IDG Water Cooler

Dear Readers,
Happy 2018 everyone! May the year bring you joy and wonderful new finds in your genealogy research. Here at The In-Depth Genealogist we are hard at work to bring new resources to you that can help you on your way. This year we have some wonderful classes and publications planned.

Our class schedule for 2018 is getting full with many excellent teachers and topics. At $99 for a 4-week class it is a great deal! Visit www.idgacademy.com to learn more.

Finding Female Ancestors: First Steps (Class taught by Gena Philibert Ortega, runs March 4, 2018 - March 31, 2018)
Finding Female Ancestors: Continuing the Journey (Class taught by Gena Philibert Ortega, runs May 7, 2018 - June 2, 2018)
The Genealogical Proof Standard-A Guide for Your Genealogy Journey (Class taught by Cheri Passey, runs May 7, 2018 - June 2, 2018)
Writing Your Family History (Class taught by Lisa Alzo, runs, June 3, 2018 - June 30, 2018)

Did you hear about our new In-Brief? Christine Woodcock has written “An In-Brief Guide to Turning Your Family Tree into a Family Treasure”. As the family historian, you have collected a cornucopia of research documents: bits of scrap paper, newspaper clippings, photos, obits, e-mails and other assorted bits of “research”. What can you do to preserve these documents and the stories they tell for future generations? Turn your family tree information into a treasured family heirloom, a family history book. In this In-Brief, Christine shares tips on how to start, develop the content, interview relatives, share your own story, and determine your book format. There are also recommended websites, publishers, and resource books within the guide.

Sadly, we will not be attending RootsTech this year. If you are attending, please show your support for our many writers and teachers that will be there as Ambassadors and as Presenters. Past and present writers that will be presenters include Lara Diamond, Lisa Alzo, Jenny Joyce, Jennifer Holik, Michelle Goodrum, and Maureen Taylor. Check out the schedule of classes at https://www.rootstech.org/schedule so that you do not miss a single one!

Now, on to the newest issue of Going In-Depth!

Jennifer Alford, Publisher
Terri O'Connell, Executive Director
Heather Reed, Director of Learning

editor@theindepthgenealogist.com
http://www.theindepthgenealogist.com

In this issue of Going In-Depth Magazine...

Blue and Gray Trails: “Did Your Civil War Ancestor Experience the Unthinkable?” Losing a limb was a devastating consequence of war for many soldiers. Reentering civilian life with a disability proved as challenging as their military experience. Here’s how some veterans coped.By Cindy Freed
Unexceptional Ancestors: “Victor Levy” Victor Levy was an unexceptional forgotten ancestor. In this article, Jenny demonstrates methods she uses to add flesh to the bare bones of hitherto unresearched family members. By Jenny Cowen
Heimatbote: “Württemberg Family Tables” More genealogists than ever before are discovering these registers, but there is a lack of instruction on what exactly to look for on the documents. Not only can these wonderful records save the researcher vast amounts of time, they often reveal details about a family not found anywhere else in parish registers. By Ute Brandenburg
Ramblings through Irish History: “The Plantations of Ireland Part 7: The 1641 Rebellion” In this article, Jenny takes us through further Irish history as the Catholics of Ireland finally rise up against the protestant settlers. By Jenny Joyce
Modus Operandi: “Find Your Answer-Using a Research Plan” Are you falling down too many rabbit holes or chasing too many squirrels? A well thought out Research Plan will help focus your attention and save you from the holes and the chase! By Cheri Hudson Passey
Ladies First: “Cleanliness is next to Godliness” This column investigates the working lives of our female ancestors, covering both paid employment and household tasks. Until very recent times, housework was indisputably women’s work. This article looks at some of the cleaning methods of our ancestresses. By Janet Few

Taught by Gena Philibert-Ortega
Class: March 4, 2018 - March 31, 2018
Finding female ancestors can be challenging at best. With name changes and a lack of records, female ancestors seem to all but disappear. However, finding women in your family tree starts with an understanding of the methodology needed to conduct good family history research. In this 4 week course we will explore that methodology by first discussing how researching women is different. We’ll take some cues from historians who research women combined with genealogical sources to better understand where to find the documents that list women. As we close we will explore researching women from different ethnic backgrounds. This 4 week course is for those who need more help in researching and more importantly, finding female ancestors. At just $99 it's a great deal!