Celebration Sunday-Genealogy Happy Dance! Attending the AAHGS Conference.

 

 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 that you found the document, contacted a cousin with the family Bible, made a DNA connection, or found a 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 weekly series enables everyone to tell about their Genealogy Happy Dance moment. 

Share by scrolling 

down and add your story to the comments section, or you may also link to a blog post about what had you dancing this week.

My Happy Dance Moment for the week:

There's nothing like an in-person Genealogy Conference to make me do the happy dance!

This week, I was able to attend the Afro American Historical and Genealogical Society conference in Charleston, SC.

I was fortunate to have been one of the speakers, catch up with old friends, and make some new ones. There's nothing like being in person to feel the energy of learning and talking about genealogy! Kudos to all involved in putting together this very successful event.

What were you celebrating?

Share your Happy Dance Moment for the week, and let's celebrate together!

 Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: RR Season 16 Day 3: Putting the Pieces Together

 

The panel, consisting of Melissa Barker, Laura Hedgecock, Shelley Murphy, and me, comes together on GenFriends to continue their coverage of Relative Race Season 16.

Day 3 was another day of piecing together their family puzzle, and some devastating news for Team Green's Hillary. 

Watch as we see how we felt about the challenge-did you notice the Alien in Team Black's car?-The drive to their relatives' home, and who was waiting on this day.

Congrats to Team Red for winning the 1st place prize or 3 minutes off your time on Day 4.

Who will they give the prize of 2 minutes off to?

Do you have any thoughts?

We'd love to hear from you!

Remember, you can revisit episodes of GenFriends, where we cover past seasons of Relative Race, and see our interviews with the teams, as well as the end-of-season team reunions.

Please forgive me, Ray and Nicole from Team Red, for glitching on your names in Season 6. Ray's story was so emotional and could never be forgotten!

Links in this episode:

https://www.byutv.org/relative-race

Contact the panelists:

Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives

http://agenealogistinthearchives.blogspot.com/

Bernice Bennett-BerniceBennett.com

http://www.BerniceAlexanderBennett.com

Jenny Hawran-Like Herding Cats Genealogy

https://like-herding-cats.com/

Laura Hedgecock-Treasure Chest of Memories

https://treasurechestofmemories.com/

Mary Kircher Roddy-MKR Genealogy

https://www.mkrgenealogy.com/

https://appliedgen.institute/

Shelley Murphey-Family Tree Girl

https://familytreegirl.com/

Thank you so much for watching!

Don't miss an episode. Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

Click Below to Share This Post!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

                                      

GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: Relative Race Season 16-Day 2. The Joy of Finding Family with Eric!

The panel, Melissa Barker, Jenny Hawran, Laura Hedgecock, Mary Kircher Roddy,  and I welcome Eric, Relative Race Season 13 winner from Team Blue, to give us an update on his family and share his thoughts on the family connections on Day 2 of Season 16.

Watch as we hear some exciting news from Eric and talk about the challenges of the race on this day and the emotion of meeting new family.

How did you like the challenge? 

Would it work for a family reunion game?

We'd love to hear from you!

Here's the TikTok video made by Team Red on Day 2!

https://www.tiktok.com/@sirdukethedon/video/7555363008814353678?_r=1&_t=ZP-90AM1E0dU1X

Links in this episode:

https://www.byutv.org/relative-race

Contact the panelists:

Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives

http://agenealogistinthearchives.blogspot.com/

Bernice Bennett-BerniceBennett.com

http://www.BerniceAlexanderBennett.com

Jenny Hawran-Like Herding Cats Genealogy

https://like-herding-cats.com/

Laura Hedgecock-Treasure Chest of Memories

https://treasurechestofmemories.com/

Mary Kircher Roddy-MKR Genealogy

https://www.mkrgenealogy.com/

https://appliedgen.institute/

Shelley Murphey-Family Tree Girl

https://familytreegirl.com/

Thank you so much for watching!

Don't miss an episode. Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

Click Below to Share This Post!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

                                      

Celebration Sunday-Genealogy Happy Dance: A Box Full of Goodies!

 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 that you found the document, contacted a cousin with the family Bible, made a DNA connection, or found a 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 weekly series enables everyone to tell about their Genealogy Happy Dance moment. 

Share by scrolling 

down and add your story to the comments section, or you may also link to a blog post about what had you dancing this week.

My Happy Dance Moment for the week:

A box of genealogy goodies has me doing the happy dance!

My mom's paternal cousin, Mary, gifted me a box filled with old letters from World War II, newspaper clippings, photos, and other documents. She knows of my love for family history, and as she said, "You will keep all these things safe". While I have items belonging to my grandfather, Gilbert Roberts, who died in WWII, his two brothers, who also died during the war, do not have any living descendants, and she wants their memories kept alive.

There were some things included about my grandfather and his parents that I had not seen before.  She says I have to come back to visit her; she has more to share.

Cousins are one of the best sources for discovering your family's stories!

What were you celebrating?

Share your Happy Dance Moment for the week, and let's celebrate together!

 Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: Relative Race Season 16-Day 1!!

The panel, Melissa Barker, Jenny Hawran, Laura Hedgecock, Shelley Murphy, and I get together to talk about the first day of the race!

Watch as we discuss the teams and the families they met.

We love all the teams and are excited about their stories.

There are a few questions, though....a big one is where did those rockets go?

Let us know how you felt about the start of season 16.

Links in this episode:

https://www.byutv.org/relative-race

Contact the panelists:

Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives

http://agenealogistinthearchives.blogspot.com/

Bernice Bennett-BerniceBennett.com

http://www.BerniceAlexanderBennett.com

Jenny Hawran-Like Herding Cats Genealogy

https://like-herding-cats.com/

Laura Hedgecock-Treasure Chest of Memories

https://treasurechestofmemories.com/

Mary Kircher Roddy-MKR Genealogy

https://www.mkrgenealogy.com/

https://appliedgen.institute/

Shelley Murphey-Family Tree Girl

https://familytreegirl.com/

Thank you so much for watching!

Don't miss an episode. Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

Click Below to Share This Post!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

                                      

GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: Relative Race Season 16 Preview with Kayli

 

The panel, including Jenny Hawran, Laura Hedgecock, Mary Kircher Roddy, and I welcome Kayli, part of Team Red and winner of Relative Race Season 15, to help us preview Season 16! 

Watch as Kayli gives us an update on her and Dan's family connections from last season and what she knows about the new teams.

We also share some of our favorite moments over the last 15 seasons.

What are your favorite moments of Relative Race?

We'd love to hear from you!

Thanks so much for watching!

Don't miss an episode of GenFriends-please subscribe!

Links in this episode:

https://www.byutv.org/relative-race

Contact the panelists:

Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives

http://agenealogistinthearchives.blogspot.com/

Bernice Bennett-BerniceBennett.com

http://www.BerniceAlexanderBennett.com

Jenny Hawran-Like Herding Cats Genealogy

https://like-herding-cats.com/

Laura Hedgecock-Treasure Chest of Memories

https://treasurechestofmemories.com/

Mary Kircher Roddy-MKR Genealogy

https://www.mkrgenealogy.com/

https://appliedgen.institute/

Shelley Murphey-Family Tree Girl

https://familytreegirl.com/

Thank you so much for watching!

Don't miss an episode. Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

Click Below to Share This Post!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

                                      

Celebration Sunday-Genealogy Happy Dance! Participating in a Successful Genealogy Fair.

 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 that you found the document, contacted a cousin with the family Bible, made a DNA connection, or found a 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 weekly series enables everyone to tell about their Genealogy Happy Dance moment. 

Share by scrolling 

down and add your story to the comments section, or you may also link to a blog post about what had you dancing this week.

My Happy Dance Moment for the week:

The Grand Strand Genealogy Club in Myrtle Beach, SC, had a Genealogy Fair at the local library where we have our meetings once a month.

After many weeks of planning, we were worried about whether anyone would come. But come they did! We had a great turnout. Throughout the stations we set up, people learn about the club, our newsletter, and the programs we offer.  Beginners learned how to start their journey. Club members shared how FamilySearch and Ancestry help with research. Our DNA special interest group was there to help with questions about taking tests and understanding results.  Anyone who wanted to discuss a problem they'd like to talk about could get a free 15-minute consultation, which I provided. We had a great day and had several people interested in coming to our club meeting and becoming members.

A day full of happy dances!

What were you celebrating?

Share your Happy Dance Moment for the week, and let's celebrate together!

 Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: A Mom's Memories -Laura's Journey to Preserve Travel Experiences.

 

The panel, Jenny Hawran, Mary Kircher,  and I talk to Laura about her project to transcribe and add historical photos and details to her mom's travel to Russia, and other former communist countries during the turmoil of the 1990s. She tells us the steps she is taking to preserve her mom's voice while adding social and historical context to her late mom's memories. 

We could feel a bit of Laura's personality shine through her mom's writings.

Watch and learn how she is tackling this enormous task!

Do you have journals written by family members?

How are you preserving them so their stories can be told for generations?

Links in this episode:

Treasure Chest of Memories

https://www.treasurechestofmemories

Contact the panelists:

Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives

http://agenealogistinthearchives.blogspot.com/

Bernice Bennett-BerniceBennett.com

http://www.BerniceAlexanderBennett.com

Jenny Hawran-Like Herding Cats Genealogy

https://like-herding-cats.com/

Laura Hedgecock-Treasure Chest of Memories

https://treasurechestofmemories.com/

Mary Kircher Roddy-MKR Genealogy

https://www.mkrgenealogy.com/

https://appliedgen.institute/

Shelley Murphey-Family Tree Girl

https://familytreegirl.com/

Thank you so much for watching!

Don't miss an episode. Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

Click Below to Share This Post!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

                                      

This Week On My Family History Calendar-Remembering Two Sumter County, SC Ancestors

 

Sept. 9 
      Thomas J. McRady (1821-1896), my maternal 3rd great-grandfather, was born 204 years ago in South Carolina. He lived many years in the Sumter County area and may have been born there.

Thomas J. McRady
Headstone
Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery
Pisgah Crossroads, Sumter, South Carolina

September 13

 My maternal great-great-grandfather, William A. McManus (1854-1914), died 111 years ago in Bishopville, Lee County, South Carolina. He is buried in Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery, Pisgah Crossroads, Sumter County, South Carolina. 

William A. McManus
Headstone
Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery
Pisgah Crossroads, Sumter, South Carolina

Who are you remembering this week?

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

Celebration Sunday-Genealogy Happy Dance! AI Photo Enhancement-Giving Clues to An Old Family Picture.

 

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 that you found the document, contacted a cousin with the family Bible, made a DNA connection, or found a 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 weekly series enables everyone to tell about their Genealogy Happy Dance moment. 

Share by scrolling 

down and add your story to the comments section, or you may also link to a blog post about what had you dancing this week.

Daughrity Family
Sumter, SC
Before 1930
Photo Copy of Original

AI-Edited Version of the Same Photo

My Happy Dance Moment for the week:

I have an old photo from the mid-1920s that shows a family on their porch.

It is faded and very hard to see the people in the background, but I know it's my great-great-grandmother and four of her sons on the steps and sitting in the chair.

I decided to see if ChatGPT could help clear it up.

I'm not sure if you could initially see who was standing on the porch, but it did a good job of giving me some clues. There are at least two little girls.

The little girls are most likely my grandmother and her sisters. There seems to be someone in a white shirt on the right-hand side of the porch. That may be my great-grandfather, since he is not in the photo on the stairs with his brothers. There are some hints of others who have faded and couldn't be restored. Perhaps all 5 little girls were there, and their mother, my great-grandmother, was standing on the porch as well. 

The tool wasn't able to clear up all of the faces, so I can't tell which one of the girls they are, but it's fun to know they were in the photo. The little boy on the right, sitting next to the man on the steps, is most likely one of two cousins. 

It also cleared up the faces of the men, my grandmother's uncles, who were sitting on the steps. My great-great-grandmother is sitting on the chair. I wish her face had been turned towards the camera for a better image of her.

It didn't work perfectly with this photo, at one point when I asked it to clear up the faces a little more, it went way overboard and created faces that were completely made up! It even turned the head of the woman in the chair and had her looking at the camera. I say her, but it looked like a man! So, AI can help, but you have to be careful of what it might do and completely change a photo. 

AI is getting better at photo editing. But it still has problems with some photos.

Always make sure to state that a photo has been edited with an AI tool and not the original. It is important for future generations to know that an editing tool was used. 

Have you used an AI editing tool for your photos?

How did your photo turn out?

What were you celebrating?

Share your Happy Dance Moment for the week, and let's celebrate together!

 Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show: Genealogical Societies-Why They Are Important & How to Support Them

The panel, Melissa Barker, Jennny Hawran, Laura Hedgecock,  Mary Kircher Roddy, and I get together to share our thoughts on the importance of genealogical societies.

Those on the national, regional, and local levels are important for our research.

Watch as we discuss how they have helped us and how the community can support and help them grow.

Are you a member of a genealogical or historical society?

Do you have ideas and suggestions for sustaining and growing members?

We'd love to hear from you!

Links in this episode:

National Genealogical Society Society and Organization Resources

https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/society-organization-resources/

                                              

   

Links in this episode:

Coalitions for Responsible AI

https://craigen.org/

Contact the panelists:

Melissa Barker -A Genealogist in the Archives

http://agenealogistinthearchives.blogspot.com/

Bernice Bennett-BerniceBennett.com

http://www.BerniceAlexanderBennett.com

Jenny Hawran-Like Herding Cats Genealogy

https://like-herding-cats.com/

Laura Hedgecock-Treasure Chest of Memories

https://treasurechestofmemories.com/

Mary Kircher Roddy-MKR Genealogy

https://www.mkrgenealogy.com/

https://appliedgen.institute/

Shelley Murphey-Family Tree Girl

https://familytreegirl.com/

Thank you so much for watching!

Don't miss an episode. Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

Click Below to Share This Post!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

                                                

Celebration Sunday-Genealogy Happy Dance! Back Up and Restore!

 

 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 that you found the document, contacted a cousin with the family Bible, made a DNA connection, or found a 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 weekly series enables everyone to tell about their Genealogy Happy Dance moment. 

Share by scrolling 

down and add your story to the comments section, or you may also link to a blog post about what had you dancing this week.

My Happy Dance Moment for the week:

Having a backup plan for my laptop!

When a tech guy told me my laptop had a swollen battery and I needed to get a new computer stat, I couldn't believe it!

My laptop is my main computer. I do everything from it.

I was afraid to use it, so I got a new one.

Luckily, I use Backblaze to back up my computer, and I also have all my files on Dropbox.

With Backblaze, I simply logged on with my new computer and ordered a hard drive containing all my old computer's files.

I have used that hard drive to replace my work -photos, documents, etc.

To my new laptop without losing anything.

I spent the last week downloading all my programs. The information on those was backed up, too, so it was easy to add my genealogy files to my genealogy program and sign in to my others to continue where I left off.

It's so important to have a backup plan for your computer! 

Backblaze and Dropbox came through for me.

What do you use?

What were you celebrating?

Share your Happy Dance Moment for the week, and let's celebrate together!

 Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,