Clues From Headstones

I came across this headstone photo on Find A Grave the other day.  The words in Latin with the insignia intrigued me so off I went to find out the meaning.

IN HOC SIGNO VINCES

The translation is:   "In this sign you will conquer."

This motto is used by about fifty different military groups, schools, sports teams and other organizations.  Here are just a few:

Is the motto on the Coat of Arms of O'Donnell

It has been used in some versions of the logo for the brand of cigarettes, Pall Mall

It is the motto of St Michael's Church School, Christchurch, New Zealand.

The motto of the Norwegian Army 2nd Battalion.

The motto of College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The motto of U.S. Marine Aircraft Squadron VMA(AW)533.

The motto of Saint Joseph's Grammar School in Donaghmore, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.

The motto and engraving on the headstone mean that Joseph Peters is a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.  So if I wanted to learn more about this Joseph Peters, I might try contacting the alumni of this fraternity to see if they have any information.  But seeing as how this wasn't the Joseph Peters I was after, it will have to wait for another day.

10 Years of Blogging!

Ten years ago, Randy Seaver of GeneaMusings, invited me to write a series of articles on his blog as his guest.  They told the story of my attending the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama for the first time.  You can read all of the articles HERE.

The posts were well received but after the last one in the series, Randy kicked me off his blog telling me to go start one of my own.  And so the "Educated Genealogist" was born.

I didn't remember it was my anniversary.  I read about it on the GeneaBloggers Tribe website.  Thanks Geneabloggers!

According to Wikipedia, the traditional 10th anniversary gift is tin or aluminum.  However, the librarians at the Chicago Public Library created a modern gift list and they say that diamond jewelry is the proper gift for a 10th anniversary.  Librarians know best so I am going with diamonds.  Please feel free to send me either one of the tiaras below.

Just an FYI:  IGHR is now held at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel on the University of Georgia Campus in historic Athens, Georgia.  To learn more click HERE.

10th anniversary logo courtesy of 123rf

What is a Genealogy Blog Party?

Back in 2008 or so, there was a thing called "Carnival of Genealogy."  Each month a theme was announced for bloggers to write about.  One genealogy blogger would host the carnival.  Hosting meant that blogger gathered all the submissions for that month and then made one post that contained all the links to the genealogy blogs that had made submissions for that month's theme.

It was a great way to read new blogs and to promote your own blog.

Around 2012 or so, the carnival kind of faded away.

Elizabeth O'Neal, who is the author of "My Descendant's Ancestors," has decided that we need to bring back this tradition and has done so with a new name - "Genealogy Blog Party."  Elizabeth comes up with a theme each month and then asks genealogy bloggers to submit their post on that theme.  You can learn how to submit your post HERE.

Elizabeth has been hosting the blog party for awhile now and I feel really bad I haven't participated until now.  

This month's theme is "Potluck Picnic."  You can submit any of your favorite posts.  So here is my entry into the blog party.

I am almost finished with my project of abstracting genealogical information from the California State Statutes 1850-1910.  You will find wonderful information such as legal name changes, estate and probate, etc.  The link to my blog page where you will find all of the abstracts is HERE.

One of my favorite posts was written after I finished my four year term serving as president of the San Joaquin Genealogical Society.  I feel that if you belong to any organization, you should step up to the plate and take a turn at serving as an officer or a committee chair.  You can read that post HERE.

Some items from the California State Statutes caught my eye for one reason or another.  After some research in newspapers and local sources, I was able to find out the story behind some of these - some shocking, some terribly sad.


California Statutes - A Lesson Learned From Judy Russell

1913 Was An Interesting Year In California

A Juicy Nugget From The California Statutes