Organize Your Family History

Stay focused and happy while exploring your roots

Some changes to Organize Your Family History

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Over the weekend, I made some upgrades to this website. Before now, it was a blog only. But I added a few pages, which you can find in the navigation bar at the top of the page. I think that turns it from a blog into a website!

Here’s a summary of what’s new and different:

  • Rather than seeing four full blog posts showing on each page, you’ll now find excerpts from six blog posts will be on each page. Just click the title of any post to see the whole post.
  • I changed up my bio in the sidebar and added a photo, so you can put a face with Organize Your Family History.
  • You can now search blog posts by category, as well as tag.
  • Speaking of searching, the search function has been moved from the bottom of the page to the top.
  • You can get a better sense of what Organize Your Family History is about, via the new About page.
  • I’m now offering some genealogy-related organizing services, which are described in the new Services section.
  • I included a link in the navigation bar to Peace of Mind Organizing, the organizing business I started in 2005.
  • You can now easily download free printables that were previously buried within blog posts. I intend to create and add more free downloads (and perhaps even some paid downloadable products).
  • I added a Contact form. (Feel free to drop me a note!)

In the coming months, I intend to amp up my attention to this site and I hope you’ll find the new content both interesting helpful. If you have any specific topics you’d like to see me cover, please let me know either via the comments or the contact form!

Just registered for RootsTech!

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rootstechlogoI am very excited to be attending my first large-scale genealogy conference. Yesterday, I registered for RootsTech 2014, which will be held in Salt Lake City, February 6 to 8. Looking into the conference had been on my to-do list for awhile. When I finally went to the website, I was surprised and delighted to see that the early-bird conference registration fee for a four-day, full-access pass was only $159. That includes more than 200 classes. Talk about a deal. I didn’t hesitate for a moment.

In case you’re not familiar with it, RootsTech (in the words of its website) is, “A global family history event where people of all ages learn to discover and share their family stories and connections through technology. At RootsTech, there is something for you, regardless of your experience in family history or your skill in technology.”

I love the focus on technology. I love the notion of mingling with fellow genealogy enthusiasts and talking with the vendors. And I’m delighted by the idea of the educational sessions. I saw a couple of the talks that were streamed over over the internet last year and was inspired and impressed. I told myself I wanted to attend next year. And now I am.

Have you registered for RootsTech? If you’ll be attending, please let me know. I’d love to meet you!

Genealogy Roadshow premieres Monday!

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roadshowlogoI’m so excited! Genealogy Roadshow (which I mentioned in a blog post back in June) is set to premiere on PBS on Monday at 9 pm eastern/8 pm central.

From what I can tell, the concept is that the show is “Antiques Roadshow” meets “Who Do You Think You Are?” On the show, advertisers help average people explore unverified genealogical claims (stories passed down through the generations). I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a good time to me! According to the show’s website, “Genealogy Roadshow will unearth family and community secrets, reveal notable relatives and discover unexpected stories that connect the past to the present.”

I’m not able to watch live, since I’m out of town, but thanks to the miracle of the PBS Roku channel, I’ll be able to watch it on demand when I get home. Or, I’m sure, I can watch it on my computer at PBS’ website.

I can’t wait! Will you be tuning in?

Free National Archives virtual genealogy fair next week!

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virtualgenfairposterI am really excited about the virtual genealogy fair the National Archives is putting on next week, September 3 and 4. Anyone can not only view a variety of genealogy lectures, but also there will be a genealogy help line open during the afternoons of the fair where you can ask your own questions! Recordings of the sessions will be available afterward.

And there’s no charge.

I so wish I didn’t have a client appointment on September 4. However, I’ve blocked out the 3rd on my calendar.

Here are the bare bones details. Go to the Archives fair website for complete details, including links to handouts.

What: National Archives Virtual Genealogy Fair

When: September 3, 10 am to 4 pm eastern and September 4, 10 am to 5 pm eastern

How: View live broadcast via UStream (the webcast includes closed captioning and American Sign Language interpretation.) Questions will also be monitored on Twitter, hashtag #genfair2013

If you’re interested in participating, I urge you to click on the above link and read the instructions for participating in the webcast. You’ll need to create a UStream account if you don’t already have one, and you might want to get your ducks in a row in advance, so you don’t miss any of the fun.