Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Merron Riddiford

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!

Do you have your tree posted on the internet? Yes
If Yes What is the URL? http://trees.ancestry.com.au/tree/11478638/recent?pg=42      (It is a private tree)

What Social Networking Sites do you use for genealogy? Ancestry, Facebook, Genealogy Wise, Twitter

Do you have a blog? Yes
What are your blogs' URLs? http://mywdfamilies.wordpress.com/

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests? Animals, Sport, Australian Comedy and the Media.

What is your favourite lesiure time activity apart from genealogy? Gardening

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book? All That Happened at Number 26 - Denise Scott

Monday, April 25, 2011

Valerie Elkins

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.

Do you have your tree posted on the internet? Yes
If Yes What is the URL?  http://www.ancestry.com/

What Social Networking Sites do you use for genealogy? Ancestry, Facebook, GenealogyWise, Geni, LinkedIn, Twitter

Do you have a blog? Several
What are your blogs' URLs? http://www.advantagegenealogy.com/ ; http://www.familycherished.blogspot..com/

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.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Bouquets for GeniMates

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:

John's post
Randy's post

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.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Irene Winterburn

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.


Date April 5, 2011
Name Irene Winterburn (JireneGen)
Hometown Yuma, 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 Groups I'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.

 Do you have your tree posted on the internet? Yes

If Yes What is the URL? My Jirene's Genealogy Treasures takes you to my trees: http://jirenetreasures.blogspot.com/

What Social Networking Sites do you use for genealogy?

Ancestry, Facebook, Genes Reunited, LinkedIn, Twitter

Do you have a blog? Yes

What are your blogs' URLs? Jirene's Genealogy Tips (http://www.jirenegen.com), and Jirene's Genealogy Treasures (http://jirenetreasures.blogspot.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!

Friday, April 15, 2011

John Patten

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.

Date April 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) SchoolsAbout

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).

What Family Names are you Researching? Patten, Fisher, McNamara, Avery, Charles, Little, Smith, Mortimer, Marshall, Dempsey, Betty, Gaunt, Tatham, Middleton, Simms, Geary, Ashmore, Morgan, Hallett, Moore, Crofts, Bolton, Collits, Rope, Pulley, Wilson, Ryan, Jones, Page, Morris, Lees, Milner, Forrest, Hardwick, Turner, Stevens, Haslam, Mathums, Oscroft, Day, Firman, Richards, O'Brien

 Who is your favourite ancestor? Why? 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

Do you have a blog? Yes

What are your blogs' URLs? http://www.pattenproject.com/family

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.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Randy Seaver

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.









Date 7 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


If Yes What is the URL? www.genealogy.com/users/s/e/a/Randy-Seaver/

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


Do you have a blog? Several

What are your blogs' URLs? http://www.geneamusings.com/; http://www.geneaholic.com/; SSDCGraveyardRabiit.blogspot.com; CVGenCafe.blogspot.com

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

What is your personal philosophy in a few words ?



Friday, April 8, 2011

Michelle Patient












Thursday, April 7, 2011

GeniMates - Two months down the track

It's time for reflection now as GeniMates is two monts old today. Although  it's only a short time I want to think about what I am doing.

In my first post on February 7 I said " I thought that I would prepare a pro forma with a list of questions that I could ask some of the people I meet to complete and that I could post these profiles on the web. I then thought about all the wonderful genealogists I have met in Australia and who do not have a presence on Facebook, Twitter or a Blog, I'd really like to profile some of these GeniMates who do fabulous work in local societies, as volunteer indexers or in their day to day jobs. There are a number of directories of genealogists around but these tend to be serious in nature and concentrate on professional genealogists."

I'll use a PMI (Plus, Minus, Interesting) structure to share my reflections. I would welcome reflections and suggestions from anyone who reads this post.

PLUS
* The focus of the blog seems to be unique.
* Fellow Genealogists have made a number of positive and encouraging comments on the blog, Facebook and Twitter..
* GeniMates have had an opportunity to share some interesting stories.
* I have established relationships with some interesting and generous people who have submitted profiles.
* The blog already has a number of followers as does the GeniMates Facebook page.
* Blog visitors come from a broad range of countries

MINUS
* Readers do not generally comment on the posts so the collaborative function of the blog is not exploited.
* Readers from Non English speaking countires have not responded to my pleas to contact me so the profiles do not have the "all over the place" focus that I hope for.
* Some invitees have not responded either positively or negatively to my invitations for profiles. I am not offended if people do not wish to take but I'd love to know.
* The online submission form has created difficulties for some profilees.
* It is difficult trying to balance the sending out of invittions and a schedule for posting profiles.

INTERESTING
* Some of the data collected will give information about  popular resources and common practices of the group profiled and therefore fodder for more blog posts.
* I wonder if readers would like different questions asked of profilees.
* Those who respond to invitations generally are users of some social media.
* There is a large representation of  librarians in the group profiled so far.
* Profilees are generally modest about their accomplishments and abilities.

Although I get stressed when I do not have a profile or two up my sleeve I am enjoying this project immensely and look forward in the coming months to publishing more GeniMates profiles.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Sharn White

Although I have been following Sharn on social networking sites for a while. I do not know her well and I thought that I'd like to know more about this lady so I extended a GeniMates invitation to her.

Thank you Sharn for your gracious response.


 
Date 5 April 2011
Name Sharn White
Hometown Brisbane Queensland

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist?  I am currently working towards becoming a Professional Genealogist

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research?  My current studies are an Advanced Diploma in Applied, Local and Family History through the University of New England.
My background in teaching and other university studies in Ancient History and English have been very relevant to my genealogical research as they are areas which require analysis and critical thinking. The study of the German language as part of a BA has been especially helpful as I have German ancestry on my mother's side of the family.


What is your day job? My husband is a heritage architect and I work in his practice.

How long have you been chasing ancestors? I have been on the trail of ancestors seriously since the mid 1990's but I was interviewing family members and scribbling down family trees from the early 1980's onward.

How did you get hooked on genealogy? I grew up with my paternal grandmother telling me fascinating stories of her childhood in County Tyrone Northern Ireland and can recall being interested in my family history from my teenage years. I became much more involved in researching my family tree after a great aunt told me just before she died, that I had German ancestry. That was in the mid 1990's and I had never known that. Her comment sparked a thirst for more information and that was that. I was hooked!

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy?  I really enjoy all aspects of Genealogy. I thrive on examining evidence and finding clues and solving genealogical puzzles. I enjoy the way that history come alive through finding about the lives of ancestors. I have done quite a lot of research about convict Australians, as well as British, German, Norwegian and New Zealand family history, but I really enjoy everything that comes my way. I would quite like to write and speak about genealogy.

Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups I am a current member of the Society of Australian Genealogists, The New Zealand Society of Genealogist and the Maryborough District family History Society and a past member some others including the Kent Family History Society and the Darling Downs Family History Society.

What are the lands of your ancestors? England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Prussia, France, Switzerland, New Zealand, Australia.

What Family Names are you Researching?
In England - MORLEY, HOYES, TAIT, GAIR, BERRY, BERRIFF, DUNSTER, FRYER, BEARD, LLOYD, DIXON, MALLOWS
In Scotland - MCDADE, GIBSON, CAMPBELL, FEARNS, CUPPLES, BULLOCK, SHAW, ARTHUR, MCFARLANE, MCDERMID, MCDAIRMID, MORRISON, RENNIE, MACDONALD, MCPHERSON, MCALISTER
In Ireland - WHITE, THOMPSON, SHAW, CLARKE, CUPPLES, SHAW, CRAIL
In Germany- NERGER, SIEGLER, SIGLER
In Switzerland- HABERLING, RYSER, BOSSHARDT, GERBER, HEINIGER, HILTBRUNNER, GRUETTER, RICKLI, RAMESEYER, HELD, GEISSBUEHLER, WIDMER, BUETTIKER
In New Zealand - HOYES, MORLEY, THOMPSON, WHITE, CRAIL


Who is your favourite ancestor? Why? I have become attached to quite a few people on my family tree, but I do have a definite favourite. I tend to get most involved with the scoundrels in my ancestry, probably because they are the most interesting to research. My great uncle Rex Morley Hoyes is an all time favourite because I have had so much fun finding out about his colourful life. He was charged with espionage and bribery in England during World war 2 but acquitted. I have extensive files from MI5 about him, detailing their suspicions. He owned a home which once belonged to King Henry the Eighth, flew illegal guns into Hyderabad with Sidney Cotton when he was Air Advisor to the Nizam of Hyderabad in 1947-48, built a secret airstrip on his property, Marwell Hall where Seafires were converted to Spitfires and owned a large steam yacht 'Warrior 11' which was originally built for American Millionaire Frederick Vanderbilt. He also changed his name to the fabulous creation of Vicomte Fessenden Charles Rex de Borenden! I would really have loved to have met Uncle Rex, but do suspect that he was rather a scoundrel.

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why? I have never been to Zurich or Bern where my Swiss great great grandparents came from so that would be my first choice and then Winchester in England to visit Uncle Rex's Marwell Hall which is now part of a Zoological Park.

What is your favourite resource for genealogy? I love visiting Archives and Libraries to find original documents, especially those which have an ancestor's handwriting on them. There are so many wonderful resources on the internet as well and so I spend a great deal of time on my computer.

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 treemaker
I am looking at The Master Genealogist.
Ancestry.com


Do you have your tree posted on the internet? Yes

If Yes What is the URL? Ancestry.com

What Social Networking Sites do you use for genealogy?  Ancestry, Facebook, GenealogyWise, Genes Reunited, Twitter

Do you have a blog? Several

What are your blogs' URLs? http://SharnsgenealogyHints.blogspot.com http://www.sharn-genealogyjottings.blogspot.com

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests?  In my 'spare' time I enjoy reading, playing the guitar and flute, collecting antiques and visiting art galleries and secondhand book stores.

What is your favourite lesiure time activity apart from genealogy? Reading

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book? I have many favoutite books but right now I am revisiting an old favourite - Wuthering Heights. I also enjoy anything written by Alexander McCall Smith

What is your personal philosophy in a few  words ? Always do your best and be generous in heart.

If you have anything else to share please add it below I am quite humbled by the invitation to share my profile. Thankyou for this opportunity, regards Sharn

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Amy Coffin

When I announced on my blog and Twitter that I was going to the Rootstech Conference in Salt Lake City a number of kind North Americans offered me advice and friendship. Amongst these was Amy Coffin, a genealogist from Houston, Texas.

After getting myself  lost I arrived late and flustered to the pre-conference media dinner  in Salt Lake City; I was pleased to see Amy's familiar face across the room so I made a beeline for her. At the dinner I had a fabulous evening with Amy and Joan Miller who took me under their wings and from that time I did not feel at all lonely or lost at the huge conference.


I am honoured that Amy has taken the time to submit her profile to GeniMates.


Date 30 March 2011
Name Amy Coffin
Hometown Houston, Texas

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Professional

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research? I have a Master of Library and Information Science degree. I took as many classes as I could about research (especially online searching), databases, archives and records management.

I also completed Pro Gen 3, the third class of the ProGen study group (http://progenstudy.org). This process provided many lessons on maintaining a research business.


What is your day job? Genealogist

How did you get hooked on genealogy? I have ancestors who were original enrollees in the Chickasaw Nation. It was my grandparents' wish our family also apply to become Citizens in the present day. While looking at the paperwork, I noticed that my great-grandfather was born in Arkansas. I never knew we had any roots in Arkansas. That was enough to get me looking, and I haven't stopped since that day!

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy? U.S.-based genealogical research. I have direct access to and experience with most of the repositories in SE Texas and SW Louisiana.

The skills I learned in library school transfer well into genealogy. I can gather and evaluate information quickly and also determine what's missing from the picture. I enjoy using different search strategies and search engines to find information, even that which isn't online.

I also love to write about family history and do so extensively for clients and my own family.


Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups
Acadia Parish Genealogical and Historical Society (Louisiana)
Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP)
Association of Professional Genealogists
California Genealogical Society
Southern California Genealogical Society
Texas State Genealogical Society


What are the lands of your ancestors? United States (AR, CA, LA, MN, NC, OK, TN, TX, WI), France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Luxembourg

What Family Names are you Researching? LENERTZ (this name is also present in Australia. Though I haven't found a connection, I would love to talk with Aussies who have Lenertz in their tree). MENOU, BOURGAUX, COLBERT (Chickasaw), BAERECKE, BOURLAND, WILLIAMSON (AR, TN), JOST (Austria).

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why? I can't pick just one! I love them all for different reasons. However, the ancestor who was shot for stealing the neighbor's wife AND horse makes the best story.

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why? I would like to visit my great-grandmother's hometown of Inzenhof, Austria. I've been told the JOST name is still there.

What is your favourite resource for genealogy? Everyone seems to say "the Internet" but I am going to say other people are my favorite resource. I just use the Internet to get to them! Really though, there is nothing better than talking face-to-face with other genealogists, learning from them, meeting new cousins and sharing photos and facts. People are the best resource in my book.

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?  Roots Magic

Do you have your tree posted on the internet? No

What Social Networking Sites do you use for genealogy? Ancestry, Facebook, Geni, LinkedIn, Twitter

Do you have a blog? Yes

What are your blogs' URLs? http://wetree.blogspot.com

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests? Family, travel, bar trivia, writing, attending sporting events and occasionally stopping to smell the roses.

What is your favourite lesiure time activity apart from genealogy? People do stuff other than genealogy?

What is your personal philosophy in a few  words ? If family history is boring, then you're doing it wrong.

If you have anything else to share please add it below You've got a genealogy friend in Texas!