Yes, I am still alive and here are the updates

 You know, I should stop making promises that I cannot keep. I have been writing, but it is for school and not here. Sigh, I really do miss you all and I have so many ideas that I would love to blog more about. Finding the time seems to be the real problem. Especially when I do have any downtime (per se) I want to relax like the snowman in this picture. Hot chocolate (with a kick), take me away!

So let me do a few updates.

Many of you know that my father lives with me. Officially, I am his primary care-giver. Family always comes first in my life, and he has had some health struggles over the past year. This cuts into a lot of my free time (I have kids at home too) for fun things like blogging. If you have ever been in this situation you know what I mean. But, we take it one day at a time and I do the best I can.

I am back in school. Working on my Ph.D. while in a pandemic has a few interesting problems. First, everything must be researched online. Thankfully archives and libraries are very understanding. More than one has sent me the material digitally I needed seeing I cannot get into repositories right now. I am also supposed to travel to Strathclyde every so often, but when the country will not let anyone fly in that is not going to happen. 

The worst part of 2020 was so many of my in-person lectures canceling. Understandable, but I wished many of them would have moved to virtual learning quicker. However, once again the pandemic has forced groups and people into technology that they were dragging their heels on. Nothing like money to make you move faster! Thankfully 2021 is picking up so I will "see" you all online more.

In case you did not know, this week is RootsTech Connect virtual conference. I am presenting five lectures, and there are hundreds of videos to choose from. Registration for the event gives you access to all of the videos for one year!! 

Oh, and an apology. It seems I am a dunce and had over 500 comments that were un-checked in my blogger account. While 80% were spam, there were some comments in there dating back 3 years! I have started to reply to them. However, if you all need me in a timely manner please feel free to email me through the website. 

Alright, updates are done. Off to get some work done!

RootsTech SLC 2020 - I am being live streamed!

This is the 10th anniversary of the RootsTech Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. Unfortunately, I was unable to make it last year due to a family emergency, but I am ready to go this year. Plus I am an Ambassador and a Speaker, this is going to be a great time.

While there I will present three lectures, one of which will be live-streamed. So, if you cannot make it, you can at least see one of my presentations on the virtual pass! You can watch me on Wednesday at 9:30am Mountain Time present "What do you mean the vital record is wrong?"

You can see it in person on Wednesday and again on Saturday morning. On Thursday I am presenting on an amazing software program called Tropy. If you are in SLC, make sure to come and listen!

Needless to say, this is the beginning of many posts over the next few six weeks gearing up for the event. It is going to be another great time I am sure!

Genealogy Workshop: Discover Your Family Roots!

August is packed full of great education in the DMV area. If you are able, I hope to see you tomorrow at the Belair Mansion in Bowie, Maryland.  It's going to be a great afternoon of learning. I will specifically be speaking on the basics of DNA testing for genealogy. A topic you all know is near and dear to my heart.

FGS 2020

It is just under a month away, FGS 2020 conference in Washington D.C.  I will be there as a vendor and as a speaker. So let the fun begin!

If you are attending the event, I do have a guide to Washington, DC for genealogists available on Amazon. While it is a few years old, the information is still accurate. 

In the exhibit hall, you will find my co-author, Brianne Kirkpatrick, and myself selling our books and discussing our professional serivces. Check back here for the times and days we will be having our book signings!

As for speaking, you can come to hear me lecture on the following days:

House and Land Histories for Genealogical PurposesT-212 - Thursday 9:30am

Researching at the Naval Heritage and History CommandS-423 - Saturday 11:00am

Two topics I am excited to share with everyone. Thursday's lecture even has a case study that participants can go see while they are in DC!  Intrigued yet?

Hope to see you there!

Upcoming Lectures in October

I have a few lectures at the end of the month rounding out a great Family History month for me.  If you are in Virginia, and can make, hope to see you there!

19 October "What's in my Chromosomes?" at 11 am held at the Bull Run Library in Manassas, VA.

28 October I will present four lectures at the Virginia Genealogical Society Fall Conference in Norfolk, VA 
Crash Course on the Library of Virginia’s website
A Beginners Guide to Genetic Genealogy
Deciphering atDNA Testing
The Nuts and Bolts of Writing a Family History


If you are looking to the future, make sure you click on my presentations tab to keep up with where I will be.

Lectures, presentations and hangouts oh my!

This is a busy week for me.  Not only am I still recuperating from a nasty twisted ankle (10 days out and still purple/swollen, sigh) but I am excited to be on a hangout Wednesday and presenting 2 lectures this Saturday.

Tomorrow I am thrilled to be on "Wacky Wednesday" with Dear Myrtle.  We will be discussion all hour my new book Genealogy Basics In 30 Minutes.  If you have not purchased it yet this will be the perfect opportunity to learn more about it.

On Saturday I will be speaking at the Fall Seminar for the Fredericksburg Regional Genealogical Society.  It will be an informative and jam packed day!  The event is free but you will need to register so they know how many people to prepare for.  There is a little bit of something for any level.

24 September 2016   9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 
Central Rappahannock Regional Library
1201 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Genealogy 101 - Chuck Mason
Utilizing FamilySearch.org - Julie Cabitto
The Relationship Between Chancery Causes and Lost Records Localities at the Library of Virginia - Callie Lou Freed and Joanne Porter
Genetic Genealogy - A Crash Course - Shannon Combs-Bennett
I’ve Tested My DNA, Now What? - Shannon Combs-Bennett
Researching African-American Ancestors - Shelley Murphy