FXGS lecture this weekend

This Saturday April 25th I am giving a presentation to the Fairfax Genealogical Society about raising children within the genealogy community.  If you don't know it yet, I am passionate about starting early with passing the torch of family history onto the next generation.  Through this presentation I am going to touch on a lot of ideas I have come up with for my own kids but also give some insights into things that I don't think a lot of people really consider with it comes to educating the youth in our lives about genealogy.

If you are interested in attending make sure you check out the FXGS website for details.

“Raising the Next Generation: Engaging and Instilling an Appreciation of Family History in Children”  (FxGS Education Class/Meeting)

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire Station 2148 Gallows Road, Vienna, VA 22027

Lecture Description: Kids, like adults, enjoy hearing interesting stories and like to learn why things are important.  Connecting their family history to the history in the books and engaging them in conversation is the key. Learn how to keep their attention after they ask you about your family.

FXGS Early Bird Registration Deadline Ends 3/15

If you are in the NOVA area don't forget that the Fairfax Genealogical Society has their annual Spring Conference coming up in a few weeks.  Early bird registration ends on the 15th, so get out there and register!

This will be the first year I get to attend.  Usually it falls on a weekend where I have prior engagements so I was VERY happy to bale to get there this time.  Of course, now I have to make the dreaded descion on which classes I will make.  It is one of those times I wish I could be in several places at once.

The following information was forwarded to me by FXGS to post on this blog so you would have this great information.  I will be there Saturday of the conference so stop me and say hi if you are there too!!

Fairfax Genealogical Society

Spring Conference and Genealogical Expo

27-28 March 2015

Tips and Tricks for Researching the Mid-Atlantic and European Connections

Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks

11787 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway

Fairfax, Virginia, 22033

(800) 228-9290

REGISTER ONLINE!

http://fxgs2015springconference.eventbrite.com

FRIDAY PROGRAM

27 March 2015

Using Genealogical Evidence to Break Through Research Barriers – Tom Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, FNGS

2:00-3:00 p.m.	(F11) The Jones Jinx: Tracing Common Surnames.
3:15-4:15 p.m.	(F12) Can a Complex Research Problem be Solved Solely Online?
6:00-7:00 p.m.	(F15)   Documentation: The What, Why, Where, and How.
7:15-8:15 p.m.	(F16) Elements Essential for a Polished Family History.

Pennsylvania Research – Marilyn Cocchiola Holt, MLS

2:00-3:00 p.m.	(F21) Rooting for Your Roots in Pennsylvania.
3:15-4:15 p.m.	(F22) Genealogical Resources in Western Pennsylvania.
6:00-7:00 p.m.	(F25) Research in the Courthouse.
7:15-8:15 p.m.	(F26) PA Vital Records.

Continuing Genealogical Research in the 21st Century – Charles S. “Chuck” Mason, Jr., CG

2:00-3:00 p.m.	(F31) Organize and Manage Your Research or It Will Overwhelm You.
3:15-4:15 p.m.	(F32) Don’t Make These Mistakes.
6:00-7:00 p.m.	(F35) Understanding the Records and What are They Telling You.
7:15-8:15 p.m.	(F36) Help!: Where Do I Go from Here?

  

North Carolina Research – Diane L. Richard

2:00-3:00 p.m.	(F41) North Carolina Research Overview.
3:15-4:15 p.m.	(F42) North Carolina County Records.
6:00-7:00 p.m.	(F45)  North Carolina Repositories.
7:15-8:15 p.m.	(F46) Let's Not Forget NC-Specific Native and African-American Records.

Military Research – Craig Scott, CG, FUGA

2:00-3:00 p.m.	(F51) Researching an Ancestor with Service in the Mexican War.
3:15-4:15 p.m.	(F52) Virginia in the Civil War.
6:00-7:00 p.m.	(F55) Researching an Ancestor with Service in the Spanish American War and Philippine Insurrection.
7:15-8:15 p.m.	(F56) Researching an Ancestor with Service in the World Wars.

Online Genealogy - Lisa A. Alzo, MFA

2:00-3:00 p.m.	(F61) The Interactive Genealogist.
3:15-4:15 p.m.	(F62) The Evidence! Following Online Clues to Solve Your Family History Mysteries.
6:00-7:00 p.m.	(F65) Websites You Might be Missing.
7:15-8:15 p.m.	(F66) Timesaving Apps for Busy Genealogists.

SATURDAY PROGRAM

28 March 2015

Pennsylvania Research, A View from the State Archives - Jonathan R. Stayer

9:00-10:00 a.m.	(S11) Genealogical Resources at the Pennsylvania State Archives.
10:30-11:30 a.m.	(S12) Pre-1790 Oaths of Allegiance and Naturalizations in Pennsylvania.
1:15-2:15 p.m.	(S15) Military Records at the Pennsylvania State Archives & Some Related Resources.
2:45-3:45 p.m.	(S16) Understanding the State Land Records of Pennsylvania –Warrants, Surveys &Patents.

German Research – Michael D. Lacopo D.V.M.

9:00-10:00 a.m.	(S21) Methods for Identifying the German Origins of American Immigrants.
10:30-11:30 a.m.	(S22) How to Overcome Brick Walls in German-American Research Part 1.
1:15-2:15 p.m.	(S25) How to Overcome Brick Walls in German-American Research Part 2.
2:45-3:45 p.m.	(S26) German Genealogy and the Internet.

Finding Your Irish Ancestors – Joe Buggy

9:00-10:00 a.m.	(S31) Finding Your Irish Townland of Origin: Research in the U.S. and Ireland.
10:30-11:30 a.m.	(S32) Advanced Irish Genealogy: Delving Further into Irish Sources.
1:15-2:15 p.m.	(S35) Cemetery and Headstone Research in Ireland.
2:45-3:45 p.m.	(S36) Planning a Genealogy Trip to Ireland.

Eastern European Research – Lisa A. Alzo, MFA

9:00-10:00 a.m.	(S41) Ten Ways to Jumpstart Your Eastern European Research.
10:30-11:30 a.m.	(S42) Crossing the Pond: Successful Strategies for Researching Eastern European Ancestors in Foreign Records and Repositories.
1:15-2:15 p.m.	(S45) Immigrant Cluster Communities: Past, Present and Future.
2:45-3:45 p.m.	(S46) How to Overcome Brick Walls in Eastern European Research.

I Didn’t Know Those Records Were There- Sharon Hodges

9:00-10:00 a.m.	(S51)  School Days, School Daze.
10:30-11:30 a.m.	(S52) Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It’s Off to Work I Go.
1:15-2:15 p.m.	(S55) The Poor, Misplaced and Misunderstood (Institutional Records).
2:45-3:45 p.m.	(S56) Behind the Ivied Walls.

African-American Research – Char McCargo Bah

9:00-10:00 a.m.	(S61) Researching the Descendants of African Americans in a Civil War Cemetery.
10:30-11:30 a.m.	(S62) Community Research -Researching Urban African Americans From the 18thCentury to the 20th Century in their Neighborhood Part 1.
1:15-2:15 p.m.	(S65) Community Research - Researching Rural African Americans From the 18th Century to the 20th Century in their Neighborhood Part 2.
2:45-3:45 p.m.	(S66) Developing a Genealogical Profile on Your Ancestors

Northern Virginia Genealogy Activites

The month of March is going to see 2 big conferences in the NOVA area.  One is free and one is a downright steal for the price so make sure you check them both out!

On March 14th is the 2nd Fredericksburg Virginia Family History Day and once again it is packed with great speakers and information.  Some of the speakers are nationally know and many are from great Virginia institutions.  For instance Micheal Strauss, AG, Dr. Shelly Murphy, Jean Cooper from the University of Virginia Library and Anne Toohey from the Library of Congress.  In addition, they will have these individuals from the Library of Virginia: Errol Somay, Calli Lou Freed and Joanne Porter.  Plus, I will be giving the keynote address that morning.

Two weekends later will be the Fairfax Genealogical Society's Spring Conference on March 27th and 28th.  This year they have 12 tracks of classes over 2 days with many nationally known speakers.  Their focus is on research in the Mid-Atlantic states and ethnicities that immigrated to those.  However, there are also classes on technology and methodology as well.  Early bird discount for the conference goes away on March 16th so register soon!

I hope to see you at these great regional opportunities to learn.  Make sure to say hi if you will be there!

Upcoming March Events

Well March is one of those months that is sneaking up on me and will be even busier than February.  How in the world did that happen!  Of course, it would help if it would just be spring already and my family would stay healthy.  No rest for mom you know.

However, I wanted to write a quick reminder post about a few things in my local area that people may be interested in.  Ready?!

March 12^th:  At the monthly FRGS meeting (7pm Salem Church Library, Fredericksburg, VA) I will be presenting a lecture titled “Keeping Memories Forever: Sharing Your Family History in the Digital Age.”  In this ever growing digital age how are you capturing family memories?  Learn new ways to capture moments from family outings, record stories from relatives, and then save them for future generations.  This presentation will focus primarily on mobile apps, websites, and digital devices that can help you do this successfully. 

March 22^nd:  “Your Family Stories” is a free event presented by FRGS and the CRRL 9am-1pm at the Main Library in Fredericksburg, VA.  Learn how to interview your family members and creatively share the precious stories that come to light.  Check out the FRGS website for more details.

March 28-29^th:  Fairfax Genealogical Society (FxGS) Spring Conference.  Check out their website for more details and to register for the event.

Lots of information huh?  I will not be at the FxGS conference this year.  It just happens to be the same weekend as the Virginia State DAR Conference which is where I will be.  Oh, and look for pictures of that in April.  You see, I am a page.  Pages, for those who don’t know, are essentially assistants and helpers for the event.  I am looking forward to it, and am praying that I don’t mess up.  You see I have to wear all white, and for those of you who know how spill prone I am should get a good chuckle out of that bit of information. 

After that is NGS in May.  I will be there and hope that if you see me you will come say hi!  Putting faces with names is always a great experience.  

Day at the fair

On the 27^th I went, by myself (gasp) to the 9th Annual Genealogy Fall Fair by the Fairfax Genealogical Society.  The biggest obstacle was overcome successfully... I did not get lost, turned around, or take the wrong exit off of I-495.  For me that was the biggest deal of the morning; particularly since I left my house at 6:30 am, while it was still dark.  I felt like my husband and I had a role reversal yesterday morning.  I was the one with the travel mug of caffeinated liquid and the to-go breakfast, he was the one kissing me good bye in the bath robe. 

The doors opened at 8am and I was one of the first into the room.  Perused the book collection (oh....books...drool) and found a seat close up to the front.  The presentation didn't start until 9am so I had plenty of time to kill.  So, I spent half an hour vendor perusing then sat and looked through all the pamphlets I picked up.  Lots of interesting material, things I didn’t know, and places I now want to see.

One thing I have heard, and read, over and over, is that you should sit down and talk to other people when you attend these events.  Well for this shy wall flower, that is very hard.  I know right: me shy?!  Well writing words in the privacy of your own home is much easier than actually having to hold a conversation with someone.  For the first hour I spoke with no one.  I just people watched.  Which, is a favorite past time of mine anyway.  It would have been easier if one of my friends had been able to come with me.  Visiting a museum alone is so much better than a conference.  However, by the end of the day I had met and carried on great conversations with the people sitting at the table with me.  We shared ideas, thoughts, tips, and a very yummy lunch.

At the first break I went over to the Fairfax Genealogy Society table and asked some questions.  Guess what…I ran into Dear Myrtle!!!!  Love her blog, and it was very cool to meet her in person.  What a wonderful lady.  I did decide to become a member too.  They have a lot to offer, and even though I won’t be able to make a lot of their meetings, the trips and member benefits seem worth the $22 dues.

The three lectures presented by Claire Bettag, CG, FUGA were fantastic.  I learned so much that I didn’t know about land records, the serial set, and the manuscript collection at the Library of Congress.  I need to schedule time in the near future to make a trip up there.  To live so close to some of the best research facilities in the U.S. and not get there is criminal.  There will be posts in the future, I am sure, about the discoveries involving these newly found resources. 

Happily my helium hand did not get me in trouble and on my first day as a member I did not volunteer to do anything.  I am a service oriented person, and it nearly killed me.  However, as I get older, I have found that I get better and better at managing what is on my plate.  That being said, I am sure the will power to stay as an observer won’t last for too long.  I am just not that strong.

Now… how do I convince my husband that I NEED to go to the NGS conference?  Anyone have a good argument that I can throw at him on why it is a moral imperative that I attend?

 

photo credit: *Louise** via photopin cc

Fairfax County Genealogical Society Fall Fair

I just learned, today, that there is a one day genealogy fair not far from me.  How did I miss this?  Trying to figure out if I can make it up there to attend this event.  If you are in the area you should too.  It sounds amazing!  Early registration ends TOMORROW 10/18!!


Fairfax Genealogical Society
invites you to their
9th Annual Fall Fair: Federal Records with Claire Bettag

Date:
Saturday, October 27, 2012
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (please arrive before 9:00 AM)

Location:
Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire Department
2148 Gallows Road
Dunn Loring, VA 22027

Register online at http://fxgsfallfair2012.eventbrite.com or download the registration form

Featured Speaker: Claire Bettag, CG, FUGA is a certified professional genealogist based in Washington D.C. whose research focuses on French and Acadian families of Louisiana. She conducts research in Louisiana, Europe, and Washington. She teaches at the National Institute on Genealogical Research (NIGR), the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), the Genealogy and Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP), and the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research at Samford University (IGHR).

A contributing author to Professional Genealogy, she has also published articles in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, APG Quarterly, and other genealogical publications. She has served as the director of NIGR and a ProGen mentor, and on the boards of NGS, APG, and BCG. Currently she is on the editorial board of the National Genealogical Society Quarterly and volunteers at the National Archives. Her M.A. in French is from Columbia University; she has studied in France as a Fulbright fellow, and in Quebec, Spain, and Mexico.

Lectures:

"FEDERAL LAND RECORDS"
From 1789 to the late nineteenth century, the United States acquired land and added it to the public domain. The federal government then surveyed the land and disposed of it, creating federal land records in the process. Today the National Archives holds land records for the thirty public land states whose lands were part of the U.S. public domain. These records are valuable for locating families and individuals at a specific date and documenting family land holdings. They may also provide additional valuable family information. The presentation discusses land entry papers primarily, with brief mention of surrendered bounty-land warrants.

"THE CONGRESSIONAL SERIAL SET"
The U.S. Congressional Serial Set, published by the U.S. Government Printing Office, is part of a vast collection of published public documents popularly known as "Gov Docs" (government documents). The Serial Set ranks among the most valuable — and most underused — genealogical resources for family historians. Containing records of the U.S. Congress, executive agencies, independent commissions, and other entities, it provides a wealth of information, often untapped by researchers. The presentation discusses Serial Set contents and access, with numerous examples.

"LIBRARY OF CONGRESS RESOURCES: MANUSCRIPTS DIVISION"
The Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress houses more than eleven thousand collections containing about fifty million items. Beyond the Library's Local History and Genealogy Collection, this is one of its best potential sources for family historians. Yet, researchers rarely mine its riches. Among its holdings are the private papers of American political, cultural, and scientific figures: reformers, writers, inventors, scientists, historians, anthropologists, celebrities, journalists, artists, architects, and more; documents from foreign countries related to American colonial history, often containing information about individuals and families; and much more.

 

Registration includes all lectures, lunch (see below), access to the vendors, and an electronic syllabus. A printed copy of the syllabus is available for $5.00.

A boxed lunch (sandwich, side, and drink) is included for registrations received by Thursday, October 18. Registrations after this date include lunch only if extras are available.

Regular registrations must be received by October 18. All registrations received after October 18 will be charged the late registration fee. A printed syllabus is included for late/walk-in registrations. Registrations postmarked by October 17 but received after the 18th will receive the regular registration fee but will only include lunch if extras are available. Register early!

Parking is available at the fire station as well as on the street. There is also overflow parking in the school parking lot next door.

Check-in/registration begins at 8:00 AM.

Vendors open at 8:00 AM.

 

photo credit: Simon Adriaensen via photopin cc