Things to do during snow-pocalypse…plan for RootsTech

Sitting here in my office watching the snow pile up outside is not helping me with “Stuff” I should be doing.  I would really like to sit in front of the fire with a good book, but instead I am being responsible!  Rootstech is a week away!!!

I can hardly believe that in just over a week I will be on a plane heading to Salt Lake City.  If you are going to be there, make sure you stop by and say “Hi!” to me at the In-Depth Genealogist Booth.  Or as a matter of fact, any time you see me.  I love chatting.

As the planner and organizing that I am my lists are already started.  So much to do, so much to see, so few hours in the day!  Be that as it may, here are a few things that I learned from last year about attending RootsTech.  So, I am passing some of my wisdom onto you.

Do you have the app?

Yes, RootsTech has an amazing app, and it is free.  Download it to your mobile device so you can keep track of your friends, your schedule, have a map of the facility at your fingertips, plus stay on top of announcements and information from/about RootsTech. 

Doing Research? The cloud is your friend!

Seriously, I couldn’t believe the number of people who were lugging around giant notebooks of information in their carry-ons.  People, it is the 21^st century, we need to embrace it.  Trust me, your back is not going to survive otherwise.  Upload documents, databases, and all sorts of files to your favorite cloud site.  Set you mobile work station up (computer, iPad, or etc.) and then go to town.  Everything you need is there and no need for you to lug binders on plane, trains, or automobiles! 

Bring snacks and a water bottle

The first day of the conference last year I had a horrible headache the avalanched into a migraine.  Why? Well, a combination of things but mainly dehydration and low sugar.  Medication, a dark quite place, and a granola bar brought me back to rights.  However, it is very easy for anyone to get ill in such a large place if they don’t take care of themselves.  You will not have any fun if you pass out!  Carry a refillable water bottle and a small snack with you, that way you can have a quick pick me up when needed.

Contact Cards

While you can get great deals on business cards at places like Vista Print even homemade ones are a great thing to carry with you at large conferences like this.  You never know who you are going to meet and want to keep in touch with afterwards.  I suggest getting ones that are blank on one side so you can write a note on the back.  That way when the person gets home they can remember why you gave them the card to begin with!

5 Tips for lineage society applications

In the last few years I have applied to several lineage societies.  I started on this odd passion to verify my research through organizations because I wanted to prove to the rest of my family that my grandmother was correct.  We did have ancestors on the Mayflower.  We did have Revolutionary War patriots.  We did have family who helped shape and form our country.  She was not, as many people thought, crazy and making it all up.

By putting my own research to the test I realized how much fun it was to prove to a society that my information was correctly sourced, documented, and thought out.  It is such a thrill!  Now I am helping others with their applications through my business.  It seems I get the same great feeling helping others as I do by completing my own work.

Which lead me to this post.  My 5 tips to help you get ready to submit an application to the society of your choice.  I hope they help!

1.       Find a society that means something to you

I don’t know about you, but if I don’t have a vested interest (or well, any interest) in something I am not going to participate as often or really want to do things with the group.  While it is cool to wear the ribbons, sashes, medals, and whatnot for an organization I strongly feel that you should want to be an active member of the group before you join.  Maybe you like their education mission.  Perhaps it is their outreach programs.  Or it could be their stance on a historical issue.  Whatever is the reason, it should be more than collecting another ribbon.

2.       Understand the application requirements and procedures

This is the main reason applications take forever or are rejected by a society.  Please, please, please make sure you understand the process, the application, and what you have to do before you start to submit anything.  Most groups will have you work with someone who is the person in charge of new applications.  Get to know them.  Bake them cookies.  Do what they tell you to do.  They are there to get you IN the organization.  So, do all you can to help them.  Ask and answer questions.  Get them the papers needed (even if you think they should have everything they need) in a prompt fashion.  Let them know how the process of getting documents is going.  Ask them for help even.  Most are very enthusiastic genealogists and love doing research too.

3.       Organize your paperwork by generations

This may seem like a no-brainer but the easiest way to keep your information for an application packet organized is by sorting them by generations.  However you want to do that is up to you.  I like to paperclip each generation together.  A friend of mine takes a large hanging file folder and places a regular file folder for each generation in it.  For my folders I place a check list on the inside with what documents I need for each generation.  As I collect those documents I check them off.  That way it is very easy to see at a glance what I do and do not have.

4.       Create full source citations

You will never get away from source citations.  Ever.  Many societies have a very specific way they want the sources cited, so be aware of that before you write on any documents you turn in.  What I tend to do is ask the person I am working with if they would like me to place citations on the papers.  If they say no I create a source citation list that I include with the application packet.  That way when they do the final paperwork and create the societies specific source citations they have all the information available to them at their fingertips.

5.       Make transcripts of all handwritten documents
Yeah, I know.  Transcripts are a pain.  However, you want someone to love you quickly and for years?  Make a transcript of all the handwritten documents you turn in.  Many societies require that a transcript be submitted for all documents that are handwritten.  Some don’t, but they like it if there is one.  Take some time, make a transcript.  Besides, you never know.  You could find a new clue to your family that you didn’t see before!