Launch of T2 Family History

Over the last several months I worked, with the aide of several friends, on a website for my new business.  I would not be honest if I didn’t tell you this was a little more than scary but it was something that I needed to do.  I just needed to take a big gulp and put myself out there.

You can check out T2 Family History here.

I decided to shorten my name to T2 Family History to streamline my name.  T2 stands for Trials and Tribulations and I thought the logo, created by a talented friend who is a graphics design artist, speaks to what I do.  She nicely tied in my 2 passions, family history and genetics, with this clean and modern graphic. 

Never fear, I still plan on keeping this blog going.  The other site is intended to showcase my professional side and it will continue to adapt and change as I make my way in the world of genealogy.  This blog will continually be updated with family discoveries, interesting tis-bits, and all the other goodies I post.

Taking the plunge is never easy but sometimes you just know it in your gut when it is right.

The DNA just keeps pouring in!

You may recall that a few weeks ago I went to a conference on genetic genealogy.  Well, I was hyped up on the Kool-Aid and re-energized on DNA.  It happens you know, sometimes you just have to take a step back from the crazy and so you can come back with a fresh perspective on the subject.  Breaks are wonderful like that; they make you really remember your passions.

Anyway, I convinced my dad to bank roll a DNA initiative with the family.  Most have already paid him back, but I figured offering to purchase the DNA tests for the more skeptical family members might get them to bit this time.  Amazingly enough, it did.

Until now only my husband and I were the only ones with atDNA tests done.  He also has an yDNA test but I only did Y and mitochondrial on my parents and his mother.  First thing, I ordered Family Finder tests through FTDNA for them.  After all, I need to figure out whose DNA came from where right?  Then I started on siblings and cousins. 

Best of all, the 94 year old sister of my grandmother took a test.  She is the oldest relative I have; everyone else from that generation is gone.  I don’t know how my Aunt convinced her to do it, but the kit is on the way to the lab.  This one is particularly interesting to me as that line is my German and Irish immigrant line with only 1 line that married into the family with colonial roots.  I will be very, very impatient waiting for the results.

Needless to say as these results keep coming in I am going to be busy with spreadsheets and mapping.  Maybe I can convince my mother to help, she’s retired and always looking for a project.  Wish me luck!

Fall Family Tree University Virtual Conference Starts Today!

I am very excited to be attending my 6th, yes 6th, Family Tree University Virtual Conference this weekend.  In addition to participating as an attendee I will be leading a chat tomorrow, recorded 2 of the 15 webinars, and will be acting as the super moderator for the forums.  Busy is an understatement!

Once again the line up of presenters and chat leaders is excellent.  Each time the VC is bigger and better than the time before.  Plus, I get to attend in the comfort of my home (or local WiFi spot of my choice) and set the schedule of the conference to my schedule.  Which is such a great thing for me!  No need to pick between 4 lectures I want to attend because I can watch all of them in the order I want when I want.

The forums are open and I have already chatted away with some familiar usernames.  Say hi if you are attending too!  If not this time, maybe next?

200 years later and the flag was still there: The Star Spangled Spectacular

mustering of the troops

My oldest is a history nut.  I am pretty sure that I have mentioned this on the blog before.  For months we heard over and over again about the 200^th anniversary of the Battle of Baltimore and the writing of the Star Spangled Banner.  So as a surprise for him my husband and I took the kids to Baltimore for the weekend.  You have never seen two kids over the moon about a road trip in their lives!  The Star Spangled Spectacular was amazing.

We got up bright and early Saturday September 13^th and drove the 3 hours to our hotel.  The idea being we would get there early, park at the hotel (there were warnings about parking being at a premium all weekend), and then see the sights.  We also noticed the weather before we left.  A 50% chance of rain and high in the low 70s.  Cold wet kids can be grumpy so my husband and I steeled ourselves for the whining that was sure to come.

It was an amazing day though and an experience that I will not soon forget.  Even though I don’t know of any direct line ancestors who were there for the battle, I do have ancestors who volunteered for the militias during the War of 1812.  Also, as a member of the National Society United States Daughters of 1812 it was a moving site of patriotism and remembrance.

Flag obscured by cannon smoke

Believe it or not my family walked from the inner harbor out to Ft. McHenry, nearly 3 miles.  It was a warm up for the marching around the site we would be put through by the boys.  We lucked out and arrived in time for the last firing of the cannons by the reenactors.  Standing about 25 feet from 6 cannons as they are set off simultaneously was quite spectacular.  Oh, and loud. Very loud.

However, the weather that day (as the Park Superintendent Tina Capetta reminded us in her welcome speech) was very similar to what the soldiers experience on 13 September 1814.  200 years before it rained on and off all day then there were torrential downpours that evening.  Last Saturday was chilly with gray clouds and intermittent showers.  As I stood in the misty morning, cannon smoke billowing over me and showering us with bits of burned wadding, I looked up into the sky.  There I stood transfixed for a moment as I saw the 15 star flag billowing in the breeze obscured by the dissipating smoke.  I thought to myself that this must have been what those men saw 200 years before.

First Day of Issue Ceremony

As the crowd melted away we went into the star fort to watch the first day of issue ceremony for the new Ft. McHenry stamp, now in circulation from the United States Post Office.  We listened to men dressed at Francis Scott Key and Dr. William Beanes speak about their experience on board the treaty ship. It was moving and interesting to hear the accounts read aloud.

We left near dinner time and searched for somewhere to eat that was not “fair food.”  It was nearly unanimous (I was the sole holdout) that we needed to go back to our hotel 3 blocks away and put our feet up after dinner.  It seemed the kids were tired or something.  There we turned on PBS to the live coverage of the concert happing at the 6^th Street Pier.  We sat in our room on the 28^th floor of our hotel and watched the bombs bursting in air from our bedroom.  Billed as the largest fireworks display in Baltimore in 200 years we were not disappointed.

The next morning the kids were still tuckered out.  Seriously, they never sleep past 6am and I had to 

force them up at 8 for breakfast.  I was up at 6 though, and stood with my morning beverage in my hand on the window side of the drawn curtains.  Through the gap in the buildings on the harbor I could make out Ft. McHenry.  Once again I found myself staring at that large 15 star flag, now a mere speck on the horizon, and thought to myself our flag was still there.  200 years before the residents of Baltimore were up, looking out their windows and seeing the same thing on a glorious September 14th morning.

Like I said.  An experience I will not forget.

15 Star flag flying over the ramparts at Ft. McHenry

Join me at The Genealogy Event in New York City

I will be presenting 2 lectures at The Genealogy Event in New York City next month.  In addition to presenting I will also be sitting in the expert lounge helping people with various genealogy questions. Come by, check it out, and have a great time learning.

You can see a detailed schedule for Friday and Saturday on the website.  In addition, there will be a 3rd day dedicated to genetic genealogy, DNA Day.  Tickets are now on sale on the website and there are a variety of ticket options available.

My sessions are shown below and will be presented on Friday October 17th. Make sure to say hi if you will be there!

3:15PM – 4:00PM
Tips for a Successful Lineage Society Application
It is the goal of many people to prove they were descended from a truly unique individual. They
may have fought in a war, been a pioneer, or part of an elite group. Whatever their connection
to history, membership in a lineage society is a great way to show off your research as well as
your hard work and dedication to finding that family line. Learn ways to successfully pull
together a society application that will be accepted!

4:15PM – 5:00PM

A Genealogist’s Guide to Heraldry

The thought of heraldry conjures images of noble ancestors from long ago, dashing knights and 

grand banners but what is it really? In this presentation learn about heraldry, its historical uses, 

who can display heraldic arms (as well as why many genealogists shouldn’t) and how it can help 

your research.

Virtual Institute of Genealogical Research Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Virtual Institute of Genealogical Research to Offer Unique Opportunities in Genealogical Education

RALEIGH, North Carolina, 9 September 2014. Professional genealogists Catherine W. Desmarais, CG, Michael Hait, CG, and Melanie D. Holtz, CG, are pleased to announce the formation of the Virtual Institute of Genealogical Research (VIGR). VIGR is a unique educational opportunity for genealogists of all skill levels.

The Institute will offer courses on a wide variety of genealogical subjects, providing “Vigorous” year-round education for the genealogical community using a virtual platform. Each course will consist of a total of four 90-minute lectures, two each presented on consecutive Saturdays, extensive syllabus material, and practical exercises. Limited class sizes of only one hundred registrants per course allows for a higher level of class participation and instructor feedback than typically offered by genealogy webinars.

Courses are currently planned around the topics of genealogical writing, advanced methodology, DNA testing and analysis, and cultural, regional, or record-based research strategies.

Many of these subject matters—as well as the depth of instruction—have never before been offered in a virtual format and are ideal for genealogists around the world. “VIGR will allow genealogists who work a full-time job or have limited travel budgets to more easily advance their genealogical skills,” Institute co-administrator Melanie D. Holtz stated.

Registration for each course will cost $69.99 and includes digital video recordings of all four lectures, available within two weeks of the close of each course.

For more information on the Institute and to register for upcoming courses, visit www.vigrgenealogy.com and subscribe to the mailing list for updates on future courses.

UPCOMING COURSES

Michael Hait, CG, “Writing Logical Proof Arguments,” 1 November–8 November 2014

J. Mark Lowe, CG, FUGA, “Preparing the Field: Understanding the Agricultural Records of our Ancestors,” 24 January– 31 January 2015

Maureen Taylor, “Family Photographs: Identifying, Preserving, and Sharing Your Visual Heritage,” 21 February–28 February 2015

Donna Moughty, “Strategies for Finding Your Irish Ancestors,” 7 March–14 March 2015

Blaine Bettinger, “(Finally!) Understanding Autosomal DNA,” 21 March–28 March 2015

Billie Stone Fogarty and Rick Fogarty, “Verifying the Family Legend of Native American Ancestry,” 18 April–25 April 2015

Melanie D. Holtz, CG, and Melissa Johnson, “Genealogical Applications of Dual Citizenship by Descent,” 2 May-9 May 2015

Paul Milner, “An In-Depth Look at the Big Four Records of English Research,” 30 May - 6 June 2015

Angela McGhie, “Digging in Federal Land Records,” 19 September-26 September 2015

CG, Certified Genealogist, CGL, and Certified Genealogical Lecturer are Service Marks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, used under license by board certificants after periodic evaluations by the Board and the board name is a trademark registered in the US Patent and Trademark Office.

2015 Forensic Genealogy Institute Registration Information

2015 Forensic Genealogy Institute Registration Opens September 9, 2014, at 1 pm EST

FGI 2015 Set to Be the Largest Offering of Forensic Genealogy Training to Date

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Dallas, Texas – September 8, 2014 – Registration for the fourth annual Forensic Genealogy Institute (FGI) opens tomorrow, September 9, 2014, at 1 pm EST online at www.forensicgenealogists.org/institute. With 100 seats available to registrants, FGI 2015 will be the largest-ever offering of forensic genealogy for intermediate and advanced genealogists.

The educational arm of the Council for the Advancement of Forensic Genealogy (CAFG), FGI will be held March 26-28, 2015, at the Wyndham Love Field Hotel in Dallas, Texas. Registration for each course is $445, which includes 20 hours of instruction by expert forensic and genetic genealogists in just three days, minimizing travels costs and time away from family and work.

The 2015 FGI features two brand-new, concurrent courses designed for intermediate and advanced forensic genealogists:

·         Advanced Genetic Genealogy and Unknown-Parentage Cases

·         Forensic Genealogy Master Practicum

The “Advanced Genetic Genealogy and Unknown-Parentage Cases” course applies DNA and traditional genealogical research to uncovering the genetic heritage of individuals with unknown parentage. This area of forensic research is expanding rapidly, and genealogists who can use DNA to successfully address unknown-parentage cases are in great demand. Enrollment is limited to 60 students.

The “Forensic Genealogy Master Practicum” offers hands-on experience in researching various types of forensic cases, working with clients (including interviews and contracts), writing forensic reports or affidavits (students will write three reports), and participating in or observing a mock trial to defend a forensic report. Enrollment is limited to 40 students.

Courses are expected to fill, so early registration is encouraged at www.forensicgenealogists.org/institute beginning at 1 pm EST on Tuesday, September 9, 2014. The website also includes full details of each course’s curriculum as well as faculty biographies.

About CAFG

Established in 2011, the Council for the Advancement of Forensic Genealogy (CAFG) is a business league with a professional membership dedicated to the advancement of forensic genealogy, which is research, analysis, and reporting in cases with legal implications. CAFG promotes high standards of professional and ethical conduct, provides education and training opportunities, and assists in professional development though mentorship, full membership, credentialing, and awarding of fellowships. Learn more at www.forensicgenealogists.org.

Contact:
Anastasia Harman

FGI Coordinator
institute@forensicgenealogists.org