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