Reminder: last day for RootsTech 2016 pass giveaway!

Today is that last day to enter to win a free pass to RootsTech 2016.  I made the announcment 2 weeks ago in this blog post.  Makes sure to check it out and read all the information.

To enter is easy.  My friends over at the In-Depth Genealogist are helping me run the contest.  All you need to do is go to their blog, follow the directions, and enter the contest.  You can enter up to 1 time a day if you have a Twitter account! (if you do have one I hope you follow me @tntfamhist)

Entries for FTF Blogger Contest due FRIDAY!

Hey guys!  One more little plug for the Family Tree Firsts Blogger position…. If you know anyone who is a newbie genealogist that would love an opportunity at amazing products and resources have them go check out the Family Tree Magazine/University contest for my replacement!

Entries are due THIS FRIDAY November 16th!!!

It has been the most amazing experience and I have learned so much by being their blogger.  In fact, I can safely say, that without their help I would not be as far along today.  The last year has been an amazing ride and I am so glad many of you have decided to stick it out with me to see where I went next. 

Have questions?  Let me know and I will do my best to give you my perspective.  Also, go check out my predecessors posts.  Nancy Shively was the first FTF Blogger, and she had a very different style than mine.  Don’t let style, words, and ideas, stand in your way!  Get out there and tell someone you know about this amazing opportunity.

photo credit: Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com via photopin cc

Book Review and Contest Winner

I have discovered another podcast that I LOVE, oh yeah all caps LOVE.  It is Fieldstone Common by Marian Pierre-Louis.  This show covers New England history and genealogy through 1 hour interviews with people who have knowledge of this area.  So far there have been curators, archivists, authors, and genealogists on her show and we are only a little over a month in.

Her show is at 1pm EST Thursdays on Blogtalk Radio.  Until 2 weeks ago I had been unable to listen to it live as I was out running errands or at other appointments on those days.  I was so excited that I would actually be home for one!  When the time came to listen I turned my computer up all the way and sat down to do some work at my kitchen table.

That particular show was an interview with John Thomas Grant on his book Final Thoughts: Eternal Beauty in Stone.  Until this show I was unfamiliar with his work, but I love taking pictures; much to the amusement of my family.  My husband sighs when we are out and tells the boys to pause while "mom is being artistic again."  While I am not a great photographer, I have admiration for those who are and enjoy looking at books of pictures to study their techniques.   

 

Mr. Grant is a cemetery photographer and listening to him tell his stories of uncovering headstones, techniques to bring the marble to life, and the reasons he does what he does held me in rapt attention.  I decided half way through the program I was going to call in for the chance at winning the free book; I had to see it!

The time came to call, and imagine my surprise when I found myself on the radio!  I wasn't sure if she was talking to me at first, but decided since no one else answered I must be live... on the air... gulp.  This is when I discovered my voice goes up in pitch when I get excited and I think I sound like some sort of spunky elf on the radio.  There is not future as a regular podcaster for me!  Well, not unless I can bring my voice down an octave that is. 

Marian mailed me my copy and I received it late last week.  It is amazing.  He is a phenomenal photographer and there are times where he makes them so life like I am waiting for the statues to turn around!  Each page also contains words from the headstones he has photographed, and it adds to the flavor and ambiance of the book.  I recommend it to anyone who is interested in photography, graveyards, or beautiful moments. 

Fieldstone Common is available through iTunes as well as the website.  Go check it out!

1940: Feeling Lucky... then I have a contest for you

Can you believe that in a fortnight the 1940 US Census will be released?  I am giddy with the anticipation of being able to see where my family was in 1940, but where they were in 1935 too.  Can you say "two birds, one stone?"  Oh, and this will be the first census that my father will be  in.  Cannot wait to call him on the phone and tell him what I see!

This week at the 1940 US Census Project there is a contest for everyone to participate in to get you excited and ramped up for indexing!  Yes, I said indexing; it is not scary and remember if we all help it will be a boon to the entire genealogy community. 

Here is what you have to do:

1.  Download the FamilySearch Indexing software
2.  Complete a practice simulation to get your feet wet indexing

That is all!  Easy right?  So go out to the blog page to learn all about it.

After you do those two easy steps you will be entered to win a Visa gift card.  One person will be picked at random to win a $100 Visa gift card and two more people will be selected to win $50 Visa gift cards.  How many genealogy gadgets could you buy with that?

So what are you waiting for?  Spread the word!  Get on out there and help!

*As a 1940 US Census Ambassador this post has entered me in a drawing to win an Amazon Kindle Fire.

Image Library of Congress: Telephone and directory. Dubuque, Iowa