For a short time I have been following our latest GeniMate on Twitter and thought that I would like to know more about her.
Thanks, Merron, for submitting a profile to Genimates.
To learn even more about Merron take a look at the About Me page on her blog.
Date April 26, 2011 Name Merron Riddiford
Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Extreme Hobbyist
What is your day job? Tourism Industry
How long have you been chasing ancestors? About 17 years
How did you get hooked on genealogy? I enjoyed stories from my Nana about her childhood and family and looking at her old photo albums full of photos which I never tired of looking at. I started researching my family history to fulfill my own curiosity but also to give Nana an insight into her ancestors. I know she was proud of her Scottish bloodlines. Nana passed away only three weeks ago at almost 92 years and I will miss sharing my discoveries with her.
What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research? I have previously completed two units of study with the National Institute of Genealogical Studies and I am almost finished the unit Social Media for Genealogists.
I am looking forward to starting a Certificate of Genealogical Studies with the Society of Australian Genealogists soon.
What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy? Social Media...or is just because I am always using it?
Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups. I am a member of the Society of Australian Genealogists.
What are the lands of your ancestors? Most of my ancestors are from England - Cambridgeshire, Gloucestershire, Buckinghamshire and Kent but I do have some Scottish and Irish ancestry
What Family Names are you Researching? Bishop, Diwell, Gamble, Hadden, Harman, Riddiford
Who is your favourite ancestor? Why? That is a difficult question and the answer changes continuously. Apologies to my other favourites, but at the moment it would have to be Ellen Barry (Gamble) my wild Irish great, great, great grandmother. She is my earliest Australian arrival in 1840 and I recently read court records from Colac, which record numerous charges against her of swearing and drunkenness. She eventually died in a house fire in 1882 age 56. The coroner found she was most likely drunk and knocked over a candle. While she met a sad end, Ellen is a colourful character in my tree who would have shocked some of my staunch Methodist ancestors.
What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why? Cuddington in Buckinghamshire, England to visit The Crown Inn a pub where my great grandfather Thomas William Cooke Riddiford was born in 1875. His father was the publican at the time. Many English pubs are closing but The Crown Inn is still operating and the exterior looks unchanged since the Riddifords where there.
What is your favourite resource for genealogy? It is with no doubt the National Library of Australia's Trove. I mostly use the digitised newspapers and they have given me a much better understanding of life in early Victoria and the activities my ancestors participated in. I also find the Family Notices fill in many gaps particularly from the 1920s onwards.
Do you keep your genealogy files on paper? Yes Do you keep your genealogy files on a computer? Yes
What genealogy software do you use to record your family tree? I began with the The Master Genealogist which I really liked. When it was time to upgrade I went for Family Tree Maker because I was interested in the interface with Ancestry.com. However I do prefer the reports generated by TMG and I recently downloaded a trial of the most recent edition which I did like, so it looks like I will be buying more software!
In response to my invitation to submit a profile to GeniMates Valerie replied " I am always thrilled when someone takes an interest in a rather small niche of genealogical research."
Valerie, I am sure that readers of the blog will be most interested in your 'niche' as I was when I stumbled across it last week. Your blog is unique and a wonderful resource.
Thank you for sharing your profile with us.
Date 22 April 2011
Name Valerie Elkins
Hometown Grantsville UT, USA
Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Professional
What is your day job? Genealogist
How long have you been chasing ancestors? Since I was 12
How did you get hooked on genealogy? My mother was doing some genealogy research and I became fascinated by the names on my family tree and use to imagine their stories. I wrote letters to distant relations asking for information. I still have those letters!
What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research? I have been doing genealogy for over 20 years. I was a volunteer research consultant for the Family History Library where I assisted Japanese patrons. I am member of Progen Study group and am working toward BCG Certification. I currently teach other Family History Consultants research skills and train them in how to assist people getting started in genealogy research.
What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy?
I help people of Japanese ancestry who live outside of Japan find their ancestors and find their heritage back in Japan. There are no online records to search for records. The Japanese are very privacy conscious and do not allow it. In order to obtain the records you have to speak and write Japanese and prove your lineage first to obtain the right to access them. Then once you receive the records you have to be able to read Japanese characters that are no longer in use today. I know many 3rd, 4th, 4th generation Japanese, who no longer speak the language and are hindered in their efforts to find the ancestors they long to connect with. I love being able to help them do that.
Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups. I am a member of the UGA (Utah Genealogical Association) where I serve on the Publicity Committee. A member of the FGS (Federation of Genealogical Societies) and serve on the Marketing and Publicity Committee. Also member of the following:
APG Association of Professional Genealogists
NGS National Genealogical Society
ISFHWE International Society of Family History Writers and Editors
GSG Genealogical Speakers Guild
What are the lands of your ancestors? My ancestors were among the earliest to arrive in America. Before that they came from England, Germany, Scotland, Ireland, France, Switzerland, Norway.
What Family Names are you Researching? Mossman (some came to Australia I am told), Rohrer/Rorer, Halvorsen, Elkins,Beck, Cole, Brown, Greenwade, Alfrey.
Who is your favourite ancestor? Why? That is a tough question, as they all begin to grow on you once you know their story. But, I would have to say my great, great, great grandmother Clara Rohrer Mossman. She was half American Indian and half American mixture of French, Swiss, English and Scottish. I grew up being told she was an Indian Princess. Disappointed when I learned there was no such thing, but the truth is far more fascinating.She left at age 16 to go the the Hawaiian Territory as an Episcopalian missionary. She taught Hawaiian children to read and sing. She married an Englishman and left a wonderful legacy.
What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why? I would love to go to Edinburgh Scotland. The Mossman home is there and later was home to the Reformer John Knox. The home is a museum and has the family motto still carved on the walls. I would like to see that.
What is your favourite resource for genealogy? I love Ancestry.com to help most people find something when they are first getting started. But, my favorite resource is the source I find something I am looking for in it! Automatically hits my favorite list!
Do you keep your genealogy files on paper? Yes
Do you keep your genealogy files on a computer? Yes
What genealogy software do you use to record your family tree? I still my PAF sometimes (because of the Japanese version) and Roots Magic.
What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests? I love to combine my love of family history in other areas like scrapbooking, home decor and even cooking. I love to read historical fiction and am writing a novel and a book on how to do Japanese Genealogy.
What is your favourite lesiure time activity apart from genealogy? I love to discover the skills, the food of my ancestors. I am learning to cook their foods, I am studying their language and try to find new ways to immerse my heritage into my family life.
What is your favourite (non genealogy) book? Anything by Jane Austen
What is your personal philosophy in a few words ? This says it better than I could and what I aspire to: "I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.
I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.
I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children.
I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.
I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.
I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."
— Marjorie Pay Hinckley
If you have anything else to share please add it below.
I believe there is a healing power in searching for our ancestors. Knowing who we are, where we came from and what our ancestors overcame is vital to better understanding ourselves. I had the privilege to reunite a mother and daughter, 50 years after the mother had to give her up to be adopted in the US. Helping the daughter reconnect with her mother and heritage in Japan completely changed her life. I saw the healing first hand and have experienced it in my own life as I discover not just the names, but the stories. By remembering our ancestors, honoring their stories - we stand on their shoulders and become more, we become stronger, and if we learn from them we become wiser.
Thank you to all of GeniMates followers and to those who have submitted profiles. The encouragement you give via emails and in comments are greatly valued.
Recently two of our profilees Randy Seaver and John Patten have written blog posts about GeniMates, your posts precipitated spikes in GeniMates statistics. Thanks for bringing new visitors to this fledgling blog. The links to their posts follow:
Should you have any suggestions for people to be profiled please let me know their contact details and I will try to nab them. I'd really love to hear about some European or Asian geneabloggers.
Irene first came to my notice when I was using Google to find out who had done presentations on Google for Genealogists. I found a presentation from Irene and was impressed so decided that I should find out more about this lady.
With a history that includes a person with 18 wives and a shark attack (plus Australian connections) Irene certainly has a great story to tell. Thank you for your compelling profile, Irene.
DateApril 5, 2011 Name Irene Winterburn (JireneGen) HometownYuma, Arizona (living in Phoenix, Arizona)
Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist?In-between; more of a Genealogy Detective
What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research?
My Bachelor's degree is in Paralegal Studies, so I have always been a "dirt digger" by trade. My education and training has definitely helped advance my genealogy research. I'm also a big believer in education, so I really enjoy taking genealogy classes, attending seminars and conferences. Hopefully someday I'll work on getting that accreditation, but for now I'm happy being a "Genealogy Detective."
What is your day job?Trial Consultant, Paralegal Supervisor, as well as a Litigation Support Paralegal
How long have you been chasing ancestors?Since 1989I come from a genealogy-loving family, so I've been 'hooked" on genealogy since my youth.
How did you get hooked on genealogy?I loved hearing the stories of my ancestors, and it has been fun finding more facts about them. I am grateful for the work my Mom and her family did researching our family, and for instilling in me why family is important.
What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy?Mostly England research, thanks to my British hubby. Most of my ancestors have been in America for many generations, so it has been fun researching his English heritage. I have also been verifying and sourcing my own family lines. We do have one line that comes through Australia (via Wales), so I love my Aussie ancesty!
Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and GroupsI've been volunteering as a Family History Consultant for over 6 years at the Phoenix Family History Library (fka Ashland Family History Library). Since July of 2010, I am the Editor of the "News Leaf," a monthly newsletter of the Phoenix Family History Library. And, just last month I was asked to be the Phoenix Stake Indexing Director, so my plate is full. Now, if only I can find more hours in the day.....
What are the lands of your ancestors?"Me and my peeps" hail from Arizona - in fact - 5 generations. I'm from good ol' pioneer stock via Utah, Georgia, Arkansas, Connecticut, Massachusetts and other various New England states. Across the pond: England, Ireland and Wales, as well as Denmark and Australia. A couple of our lines connect to royalty, which is also fun to discover.
What Family Names are you Researching?Morris, Ellsworth, Butler, Adams, Hancock, Gordge, Lee, Blackhurst, McCleve, McFerren, Halladay, Dewitt, Thetford, Lind and Neilsen. My hubby's side: Winterburn, Gash, Few, Duffett, Etches, Eastgate, Oxley, Singleton, Hallam, Swinton, Miles, Miller, Clarke, Tyler, Bullen and Tharby. (There are others, but there is only so much room here!)
Who is your favourite ancestor? Why?The Gordges of Adelaide, Australia. Anne Gordge came to America with her Mom and brother, and at age 18 married 36 yr polygamist John D. Lee, becoming his 18th (and last) wife. She had three kids, but took youngest child and left Lee, leaving my great-grandmother and her brother to be raised by another wife. Her history after leaving Lee has always been a mystery, and one "biography" by a non-family member is highly suspect as it was written when she was in an insane asylum/rest home. Her father Samuel Gordge is also a mystery, but we have found some new facts discrediting the family story of his "drowning on Christmas day" story (he actually looted his ship and was later found dead on the shores of Australia with a fatal shark bite.)
What ancestral city or town would you like to visit?Adelaide Australia, any parts of Wales and Ireland, and still yet-to-be discovered parts of England. Oh, and even my beloved United States. Too bad I have to work for a living, otherwise, I'd be traveling the earth following my ancestors' footsteps.
What is your favourite resource for genealogy?Mostly the big sites like FamilySearch, Ancestry, and FindMyPast, etc. I also love the links at these sites: BPB Publications (great links to US public records), ProGenealogists and Price & Associates. Oh, and Google!
Do you keep your genealogy files on paper?Yes
Do you keep your genealogy files on a computer?Yes
What genealogy software do you use to record your family tree?Mostly RootsMagic, but I also like to keep online trees at GenesReunitedUK and Ancestry.com.
What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests?Who has time, especially when your a genealogist?! I am a techno geek as well, but also dabble in watercolors. My activities usually involve the things that interest me most: genealogy, computing, law and art. I do love to travel with my hubby, though. (Now to find a way to make the work week 2 days, and the weekends 5 days!)
What is your favourite lesiure time activity apart from genealogy?Seeing the joy in my dogs when I (finally!) take them to the doggy park! Simple but fun.
What is your favourite (non genealogy) book?Lots of books, but my recent favorite is "The Help."
What is your personal philosophy in a few words ?I Yam What I Yam. (Don't take yourself too seriously.)
If you have anything else to share please add it below.I am loving all of the genealogy records being added to the internet. Bring it on!
I am proud to present the profile of John Patten, an Australian who is very proud of his indigenous heritage.
John is one of my Virtual GeniMates that I have communicated with via email, blogs, Linkedin and Google Wave over the last couple of years. I hope one day to meet him in a face to face situation.
DateApril 7, 2011 Name
John Patten Hometown
Grafton, NSW, Australia
Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist?I'm not sure hobbyist is the word. Maybe unpaid obsessive?
What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research?No formal genealogical qualifications, however I am looking at options to eventually study for my Masters relating to History and/or Indigenous Studies.
What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy?Aboriginal Australian genealogy and history.
What is your day job?
ICT Technician in Primary (Elementary) Schools
About
How long have you been chasing ancestors?
7 Years.
How did you get hooked on genealogy?
When I was a child my Dad would make tape recordings of various family members telling Dreamtime stories, speaking in Bundjalung and talking of our tribal, social, cultural and political history. He swapped those stories with an African American friend living in the Bronx. A few years back I found those tapes, including recordings of my paternal grandmother who passed away in the early 80's. What she said sparked my interest and I've been hooked on digging for answers and further questions ever since.
The other major contributor to my interest was my mother's lack of knowledge about her family history, as she was raised in an orphanage with no idea of her history.
Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups
I'm not a member of any group or society at present. I have previously been a member of the Genealogical Society of Victoria, and I am looking to other options.
What are the lands of your ancestors?
My mother's ancestry is English, Irish and Swedish. Bundjalung (Far North Coast, New South Wales & South East, Queensland), Yorta Yorta (middle Murray River, New South Wales & Queensland), Gumbaingirr (North Coast, New South Wales), Dhudhuroa (upper Murray River, Victoria).
My grandfather, John Thomas PATTEN (1905-1957). He was a great man and a pioneer of the Civil Rights Movement here in Australia. See his profile at http://www.pattenproject.com/jack
What ancestral city or town would you like to visit?
Not a town as such, but I'd love to see the southern part of England in which my Somerset, Devon and Dorset ancestors came from.
What is your favourite resource for genealogy?The Tindale Genealogies. It's a hand-scrawled collection of genealogies written in the 30's - 40's by an anthropologist named Norman B. Tindale. It documented Aboriginal people living on government reserves around Australia.
Do you keep your genealogy files on paper?
Yes
Do you keep your genealogy files on a computer?Yes
What genealogy software do you use to record your family tree?Family Tree Maker 2006. I've tried every version to 2010 but prefer the older version.
Do you have your tree posted on the internet? Yes
If Yes What is the URL?
Various
What Social Networking Sites do you use for genealogy?
Ancestry, Facebook, GenealogyWise, Genes Reunited, LinkedIn, Twitter, Other
What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests?
I probably have too many hobbies. I enjoy spending time with my family, brewing beer, writing, web design, cooking, sustainability and organic gardening. My latest project is to combine my interests in genealogy, history and web 2.0 multimedia by producing a web series 'Tales of My Ancestors', along the lines of WDYTYA, but concentrating on the research and not just the resultant stories.
What is your favourite lesiure time activity apart from genealogy?
Reading
What is your favourite (non genealogy) book?
At the Mountains of Madness - H.P Lovecraft
What is your personal philosophy in a few words ?If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.
One of the disappointments of my recent genealogy jaunt to the US was that I didn't get to meet the host of Saturday Night Genealogy Fun, Randy Seaver.
Date7 April 2001
What Family Names are you Researching?Great-great-grandparents surnames are: Seaver, Smith, Hildreth, Newton, Richman, Rich, White, Oatley, Carringer, Spangler, Lamphier/Smith, Vaux, Auble, Knapp, Kemp, Sovereen.
Who is your favourite ancestor? Why? Devier James Lamphier Smith (1839-1894). He was born in New York, adopted by the Smith family before the family moved to Wisconsin in 1843, married there in 1861, moved to Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, worked as a livery man, speculator, farmer, snake oil salesman and rancher, and had the foresight to write in a family Bible and extensive family letters. He had five children, but two died young. He is my favorite because he overcame hardships in his life and is the most interesting ancestor I have! What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why? Dodge County, Wisconsin so that I can search for information about the ancestry of Devier James Lamphier Smith in historical records there. The house that he grew up in, built by his adoptive father, still stands in Old World Wisconsin, a historical house collection.
What is your favourite resource for genealogy?LDS Family History Library microfilms that contain original records from states, counties and towns.
My favorite online resource is Ancestry.com, but FamilySearch.org is a close second! Nothing else comes close. Do you keep your genealogy files on paper?Yes
Do you keep your genealogy files on a computer?Yes Do you have your tree posted on the internet?Yes
What genealogy software do you use to record your family tree?Currently it's RootsMagic 4. I also have and use Family Tree Maker 16, Family Tree Maker 2011, Legacy Family Tree 7, Family Tree Builder 5, and several other programs collected over the years.
What Social Networking Sites do you use for genealogy? Ancestry, Facebook, Geni, MyHeritage , Twitter, WeRelate, Other
What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests?Family History, Genealogy, Genealogy, Family History, Genealogy, in that order.
Grandchildren - Linda and I have two daughters, one has two boys 7 and 5, the other two girls 6 and 3. We have great fun telling stories, playing indoor and outdoor games, and being with them.
Spectator sports - I'm a big San Diego Padres (baseball) fan - we go to about 20 games a year. I'm also a big San Diego Chargers fan (American football) but we don't go to the games.
Travel and Vacations now revolve around genealogy research and conferences. We'll go to Illinois in September for the Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference, and take two weeks to visit ancestral homes in four states. We like cruises and land tours too - we visited Sydney, Cairns, Christchurch, Queenstown, Auckland and Fiji in 2010.
I read historical novels and mystery novels for pleasure, often while watching TV. I don't watch much TV besides baseball games, news, genealogy shows like WDYTYA? and the occasional PBS show.
What is your favourite lesiure time activity apart from genealogy?Watching baseball games and reading
What is your favourite (non genealogy) book?Sarum by Edward Rutherfurd
