Day Two at the Expo

Day Two at the Northern California Family History Expo was even better than the first.  The only downer was the heat - 104 degrees in the shade.  Oh and the AC inside was not cooperating is some of the rooms .  I overheard someone say that they were "sweating in places you don't want to know about!"

First up was Steve Morse's follow-up to yesterdays class - "Genealogy Beyond the Y Chromosome:  Autosomes Exposed."  I am not sure I really understood everything Mr. Morse said.  He covered alot of material in a very short amount of time.  But I think that this kind of genetic testing along with a pedigree chart or family tree matches you up ethnically with others in a database.  

Because I just love to hear Gena Philibert Ortega talk, I sat in on her class about the National Institute for Genealogical Studies.  Well that and because she was giving away a 9 course package worth $850 at the end of the talk.  I didn't win, but I did get signed up to take a free Google class that begins in August.

Gena Philibert Ortega, Me and the Misbehaving Air Conditioner

After a lovely buffet featuring Lasagna, I sat in on James Tanner's - "The FamilySearch Research Wiki: The most valuable genealogical resource on the internet."  I actually use the research wiki on many occasions and wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything, getting everything I could from this great resource.  Mr. Tanner is a great speaker, very engaging and the man knows his stuff. 

The last class of the day was Michael Booth's - "RootsMagic: Pruning, Cleaning and Extending Your Family Tree."  Even after using this program for several years, I was still a little unclear on the merging tool and if I was using it correctly.  Michael is really great at explaining things in normal human language so people like me can understand.  Oh and I also bit the bullet and got the upgrade to RootsMagic 5.  Mr. Booth promised more bells and whistles in the upgrade and I am going to install it as soon as I get home.

At the end of each Family History Expo, Holly Hansen shares some of her own genealogical research experiences with the audience and the prize drawings are held at this time.  I didn't win any of the great prizes, but I didn't lose either.  I sat in on some fantastic classes and got to spend time with some dear friends.  Holly promises to be back next year in Sacramento again in 2013 -  June 28th and 29th.  

Holly Hanson and Me

Photo  of Holly and me was taken with Holly's camera by a really nice guy whose name I don't remember but he was wearing a lovely yellow tie and every time I saw him he was smiling.


Photo of Gena and me taken by Sandra Benward from the Sacramento Roots Cellar Genealogical Society

First Day of the Family History Expo

Got to tell you people - Holly Hansen and her crew may have found the perfect venue for Northern California Expos.  The Crowne Plaza in Sacramento is located a little north of downtown Sac proper thereby avoiding the problem of finding a parking space which can be a nightmare during the week in the Capitol City.  The start and end times (1:00pm until 8:45pm) was  a great idea also.  Even on a Friday, I did not experience any traffic problems like I would have with a morning start time and a rush hour traffic end time.

I was pleasantly surprised with the great turnout on Friday.  I must admit that I was a bit skeptical about how many would show up on a Holiday weekend, but my guess was there were at least 500 genealogists in attendance, it was standing room only for the keynote address by Dean McLeod.

I went to the class by Stephen Morse - "From DNA to Genetic Genealogy: Everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask."  If my high school biology teacher had explained Mendel and the fruit flies  the way Mr. Morse did, I would have had a much higher grade in the class.  I am looking forward to his follow-up class today - "Genealogy Beyond the Y Chromosome:  Autosomes Exposed."

Next, I sat in on Gena Philibert Ortega's class - "Using GenealogyWise to Find Ancestors."  I have an account and presence at GenealogyWise, but haven't been at the site in ages.  After learning about all the new and different things available there, I need to make it a regular stop to keep current with genealogical happenings around the web.

I spent the rest of my day schmoozing and catching up with friends.  Geneablogging buddies Kim von Aspern-Parker from Le Maison Duchamp, everyone's favorite meerkat Debbie Mascot from Mascot Manor Genealogy, Leah Allen - Leah's Family Tree and Gena Philibert Ortega - Gena's Genealogy and I yackty-yacked like crazy all day.

Gena has a great new book that was just published - "From The Family Kitchen" is divided into three distinct sections, this beautiful, keepsake book helps you celebrate your favorite family recipes and memories.

Part one explores the social history of food, detailing how your ancestors' diets were impacted by where and where they lived. You'll also learn how to find and collect family recipes and where to find historical recipes typical of your ancestors' era.

Part two helps you understand historical recipes with measurement and temperature conversion charts, a glossary of historical cooking terms, and historical recipes reprinted from nineteenth and early twentieth century cookbooks.

Part three is a beautiful recipe journal with pages for you to record your favorite family recipes and special memories connected to each dish.

You can purchase the book HERE, HERE for a Kindle version or HERE for a Nook version.








Disclaimer:  Gena did not pay me or twist my arm to pimp her book.  I just happen to think she is a simply mahvahlous person and a brilliant author and you need to have this book so run (don't walk)  and buy your copy now!

Fabulous Friday - The Family History Expo

The Family History Expo is here in Northern California today and tomorrow -  Friday and Saturday - July 6th and 7th  - in Sacramento!  The venue this year is the Crowne Plaza Hotel which is conveniently located right off the I80 at Madison.   Doors open at 1:00pm for registration and the exhibit area. 


Here is the agenda for today - Friday - July 6th


2:00pm - Opening keynote address by Dean L. McLeod


3:30pm - Six classes to choose from: 


How to Document your "Common Man" Ancestors in British Land Records  by Arlene H. Eakle
Evernote  by Tom Underhill
Fascinating Family History Books  by Biff and Nancy Barnes
Heritage Collector Software Suite  by Marlo E. Schuldt
FamilySearch Online: A Wealth of Resources  by James L. Tanner
What’s New in RootsMagic 5  by Michael Booth

4:50pm - Six classes to choose from:

I LOVE Libraries: Using Libraries for Your Genealogy  by Gena Philibert Ortega
Deeds and Land Records  by Billy Dubois Edgington
How to Plan and Organize a Family History Book  by Biff and Nancy Barnes
From DNA to Genetic Genealogy: Everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask by Steve Morse
Will You Be Ready When Family Tree Replaces New FamilySearch?  by James L. Tanner
Writing Your Personal History (and Living to Tell About It)  by Michael Booth



6:30pm - Six classes to choose from:

British Isles Migration Patterns to America: Documenting "Original" Settlers to New England, New Netherlands, and The South by Arlene H. Eakle
Organization is Everything  by Philipp M. Mayer
10 Techniques to Shoot "Picture Perfect" with Your Cell Phone's Digital Camera  by Tom Underhill
Using GenealogyWise to Find Ancestors  by Gena Philibert Ortega
What's in Your Family History Toolbox?  by Paul Larsen
Personal Historian 2: New Tools to Write Your Life Stories  by Michael Booth



7:50pm - Six classes to choose from:

Think Like an Archivist: Finding Hidden Genealogical Materials in Libraries and Archives by Nancy Loe
Easier Scanning for Better Results  by Marlo E. Schuldt
Beyond Names and Dates: Building Your Ancestor’s Profile  by Angela Kraft
Save Money by Designing Your Family History Book for Publishing  by Janalyn Underhill
Getting Started with HeritageQuestOnline.com  by  James L. Tanner
Where in the World? Geography, GPS, and Genealogy  by  Michael Booth


I'll be at the Expo on Friday and Saturday in the Blogger Lounge.  Stop in and say Hello, I'd love to meet you!

I Love A Parade!

Especially when I get to be in it! Today the El Toyon Chapter, NSDAR participated in the 4th of July Parade here in Stockton, California. It was only a balmy 97 degrees today - perfect parade weather.

There was a huge turnout and the crowd cheered as each of the almost 100 entries passed them by. I am the one in the blue hat in the photos below.  Later back at Camp Fenley,  ribs, potato salad and watermelon for 30 friends and family.  A Most Excellent Day!