GeniMates

Lorine McGinnis Schulze

2012-01-29T16:14:00.000+11:00

Having just arrived in SaltLake City my mind is on the Rootstech Conference. Luckily, amongthe unpublished GeniMates profiles I have up my sleeve, is one fromLorine McGinnis Schulze. Not only is Lorine an Official Blogger for theconference she is also joining Amy Coffin, Audrey Collins and me on aninternational panel to discuss Genealogy 2.0.

Lorine will be a busy girl atRootstech as she is also an Official Blogger.

Date: 22/01/2012
Name: Lorine McGinnis Schulze
Hometown: Small town in Ontario Canada

Are you a Hobbyist orProfessional Genealogist? I consider myself a hobbyist but I am a member of APG and OCAPG

What, if any, formal orinformal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogicalresearch?
I'm completely self-taught inall areas - both genealogy and being a genealogy webmaster

How long have you beenchasing ancestors?
Ah that would reveal my age!I started at age 14 and I'm a grandmother of 10

How did you get hooked ongenealogy?
My father was always talkingto me about our Irish ancestors - wondering where they were from and when theyarrived in Canada. He knew nothing beyond his own grandpa. He died when I was14 and I decided I would find out about those Irish McGinnis ancestors as a tributeto him. And that got me started!

What is your day job?
Genealogy. I'm retired frommy previous career and now I earn money from my various genealogy pursuits suchas the history-genealogy books I write.

What are your areas ofExpertise in Genealogy?
Dutch in New Netherland(present day New York), Ontario genealogy, Loyalist ancestry, ships passengerlists are my main areas of knowledge

Please outline yourinvolvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups:
I have cut back on myGenealogy societies and now only belong to NYGBS, APG and OCAPG
What are the lands of yourancestors?
Ireland, England, Holland,Germany, France

What Family Names are youResearching?
Gosh there are too many tolist! Remember I've been researching a very long time - over 50 years. A few ofmy surnames are McGinnis, Peer, Vollick, Van Slyke, Vrooman, Van Valkenburg,Damen, LeRoy, Larroway, Shuart, Hertel, Burkholder, Fuller, SImpson, Stead,King, Downey, Bell, Philpot, Elvery, Caspall, Jamieson, Johnstone.....

Who is your favouriteancestor? Why?
I have several that I feeldrawn to. But I guess the one I am most fascinated by is my Mohawk ancestorOts-Toch. In fact I wrote a book about her! She married a Dutchman in NewNetherland arounc 1640 and is documented in various land records and otherlegal documents. She's also mentioned by a Dutch missionary who visitedSchenectady New York in 1660.

What ancestral city ortown would you like to visit? Why?
I would love to go toKatesbridge Co. Down Ireland because I believe that is where my McGinnisancestor came from.

What is your favouriteresource for genealogy?
Ancestry.com hands down. Ivisit every day and am always searching for new information. But I also don'tjust search my direct ancestors - I search for all siblings and their familiesin all generations. So I have a lot of individuals to look up. My 2nd fav isFamilySearch.

Do you keep your genealogyfiles on paper? Yes
Do you keep your genealogyfiles on a computer? Yes

What genealogy software doyou use to record your family tree?
FTM2011

Do you have your treeposted on the internet? Yes
If Yes What is theURL? http://www.olivetreegenealogy.com/index.shtml

What Social NetworkingSites do you use for genealogy?
Ancestry, Facebook,GenealogyWise, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+

Do you have a blog? Several
What are your blogs'URLs? http://olivetreegenealogy.blogspot.com,http://askolive.blogspot.com,http://ancestorsatrest.blogspot.com, http://olliesyummyinyourtummy.blogspot.com,and more!

What are your OtherHobbies, Activities, Interests?
Cooking, Antiquecollecting, Art
What is your favouriteleisure time activity apart from genealogy?
Cooking

What is your personalphilosophy in a few words ?
Without the past we cannotunderstand the present and there is no future.

Karen Ball

2012-01-18T19:19:00.001+11:00

Karen Ball

Although she shares my husband's family name, Ball, I don't think Karen is related to him. Our Ball ancestors come from different ends of the "Old Country".

I recently met Karen, a Canadian librarian, online through Google+ where I have found some new and fascinating genealogy contacts. I am most grateful that she submitted a profile for the GeniMates blog.

Date: 7 January 2012

Name: Karen Ball

Hometown: Kitchener-Waterloo,ON

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Hobbyist

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research?

I hold a Master of Library and Information Science degree,which included courses in archives management. I have also taken post-graduatecourses in archives administration and genealogy. In addition, I am alibrarian-archivist at the Kitchener Public Library, specializing local historyand genealogy.

How long have you been chasing ancestors?

10 years

How did you get hooked on genealogy?

I lovedthe stories that my Nana told me about our family. The thrill of findingevidence of an ancestor made their stories real. Like many, I waited too longto ask all my questions before Nana and my father passed. For me, genealogyconnects me to the past and extends my current 'family' to newly foundrelations. Being an archivist, I love learning about history and community andseeing how those forces and factors influenced our ancestors decisions, actionsand lives.

What is your day job? Librarian-archivist

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy?

I am skilled in researching local (Waterloo County/Region) ancestors using a variety of records - census, vital statistics, newspapers, genealogies and databases. I love the thrill of the hunt...

Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups:

I am a member and archivist of the local historical society and have conducted numerous workshops for the Library on genealogy topics. I am a member of both the Devon Family History Society and Glamorgan Family History Society.

What are the lands of your ancestors?

North/South Molton, Devon, England; Penarth and Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales and Vancouver and lower mainland, British Columbia

What Family Names are you Researching?

Ball, Balment, Bawden, Down, Edwards, Huxtable, Hynds, Rodgers, Thomas

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why?

My great-grandfather, Thomas Huxtable Ball - He was the only sibling of six who left Wales to eventually settle in Canada. I admire his spirit of adventure. He sailed to Montreal and then undertook a journey, by rail, of almost equal distance, across Canada to settle in British Columbia. Thomas was a plumber by trade, who, along with my great-grandmother, Annie Amelia Turner, built a new life in Vancouver for their family. My Dad remembered him as a very quiet, polite and hard working man. I love his understated character and wonderful achievements.

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why?

I`d love to visit Penarth, Wales as this is the place where Thomas` siblings lived and have stayed to this day. Plassey Street keeps coming up as an address that I need to check out. I would also like to do some more research there and to meet family members that I have recently discovered.

What is your favourite resource for genealogy?

I find that I keep going back to the GENUKI website for top quality information on the resources relevant to the counties and parishes that I am researching.

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? Legacy

Do you have your tree posted on the internet? No

What Social Networking Sites do you use for genealogy?

Facebook, GenealogyWise, LinkedIn, Google+

Do you have a blog? Yes

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

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests?

Reading, needlepoint, ringette and powerskating

What is your favourite leisure time activity apart from genealogy?

Spending time with my family

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book?

Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood

What is your personal philosophy in a few words ?

Live, love and laugh as if each day is your last.

Meryl Naismith

2012-01-11T18:23:00.001+11:00

Meryl has made the first post on her new genealogy blog "Ongoing search for lost or missing stories".

It is her response to the GeniMates profile questions. Please hop on over to the post to meet my Google+ mate Meryl.

Congratulations on your entrance to the world of geneablogging, Meryl.

Bart Brenner

2012-01-10T11:26:00.000+11:00

Whom should I profile on GeniMates today was the question I asked myself this morning before I read my RSS feeds. There I got my answer.

It just so happened that I read, A Hobbyist's Genealogy Manifesto, one of the best blog posts I've read in ages and that co-incidentally the writer had sent me a GeniMates profile during the last week.

I met Bart on Google+ a few months and since then have been following his blog with interest. I thank Bart for taking the time to submit such a fantastic profile that I know others will enjoy.

Date: 4 January 2012

Name: Bart L Brenner

Hometown: Born: Youngstown, Ohio grew up: Ashtabula, Ohio current residence: St. Charles,Missouri

Areyou a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Hobbyist

What,if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant togenealogical research? No formal studies; have started (butnot completed) NGS “American Genealogy: a Home Study Course”; webinars;currently participating in American Records online study group.

Howlong have you been chasing ancestors?
Casually 30+ years; seriously 3 years

Howdid you get hooked on genealogy?
Over 30 years ago my second cousin once removed showed me his genealogyresearch notebook on the Brenners. I was not interested in genealogy at thetime, but recognized the value of this information. With his permission Icopied every page. Hearing about this encounter, other family members begansending me materials related to family history. Over the years I begancooperating with a brother-in-law regarding my wife's family history. When Iretired (toward the end of 2007), I set my focus on genealogy. A pastime hadbecome a hobby had become interesting had become a passion had become anaddiction.

Whatis your day job?
I am a retired Presbyterian minister. I served as pastor, minister ofeducation, and regional executive.

Whatare your areas of Expertise in Genealogy?
I have lots of experience at beginning to do things the wrong way, learningalong the way, and then initiating processes to correct mistakes of the pastand move into the future with a better grasp of standard practices andprotocols. One special proficiency (developed from cooperating with mytechnologically proficient son) has been the development of a personal researchwiki that organizes and maintains my genealogical data, information, andevidence. This has enabled me to digitize as many records as possible,maintaining only a very small set of hard copy

Pleaseoutline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups:
Member of National Genealogical Society, Ohio Genealogical Society, AmericanRecords online study group, Geneabloggers

Whatare the lands of your ancestors?
The majority of ancestors originally came from Germany; eventually migrating toOhio; most ending up in Youngstown, Mahoning & Columbiana Counties, Ohio.

WhatFamily Names are you Researching?
My side of the family – Brenner, Deeter, Mieding, Smith, Cole, Messerall,Barthel (Bartle)...

My wife's side of the family – Weaver (Weber), Gregg,Hill, Spitzer, Fitzmaurice, Lewis, Graham, Anderson

Whois your favourite ancestor? Why?
John Brenner (1836 – 1909) is my 2g-grandfather. He is the first direct lineBrenner to immigrate to the United States (from Adelshofen, Baden, in 1854). Hewas 18 years old at the time. From an obituary, I learned that upon his arrivalin the United States, he was mugged and robbed of all his possessions. This ledto his walking from New York to Philadelphia when family friends resided. Hewas able to borrow enough money to continue his travels to Ohio (via Rochester,New York). His was an indomitable and adaptive spirit. He developed a nurserybusiness, was a cemetery superintendant, sold marble (tombstones), and finallyserved as office manager for a construction company.

Whatancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why?
I would love to visit the area of Eppingen, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany. Thesmaller villiages of Adelshofen, Sulzfeld, Ittlingen, Kurmbach, Neipperg, andStettin are all in the surrounding area. Some have actually been incorporatedinto Eppingen. This is the area in which my 2g-grandfather, John Brenner, andmany of his ancestors lived.

Whatis your favourite resource for genealogy?
Ancestry.com & FamilySearch.org

Doyou keep your genealogy files on paper? No

Doyou keep your genealogy files on a computer? Yes

Whatgenealogy software do you use to record your family tree?
RootsMagic 5 and TNG (The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding)

Doyou have your tree posted on the internet? Yes

IfYes What is the URL? http://brennerfamilytree.org/tng/index.php

WhatSocial Networking Sites do you use for genealogy?
Ancestry, Facebook, Google+

Doyou have a blog? Yes

Whatare your blogs' URLs? http://geneapoppop.blogspot.com.au/

Whatare your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests?
Fly fishing, fly tying, progressive theology, teaching, reading

Whatis your favourite leisure time activity apart from genealogy?
Fly fishing

Whatis your favourite (non genealogy) book?
Willa Cather's “Death Comes to the Archbishop” and Howard Rugg's “Imagination”

Whatis your personal philosophy in a few words ?
We are stardust, the universe's capacity for self-awareness. My personalcalling is to a) make sense of life and live fully into its values; b)cooperate with others as they create meaning and value; and c) celebrate allthat is.

Ifyou have anything else to share please add it below.
As I became serious about my genealogical research, I adopted the moniker“GeneaPopPop” because I wanted to leave a legacy for my grandchildren. I chosethe title “Stardust 'n' Roots” for my blog as a reminder to my grandchildrenthat they are Stardust (“wonderfully created”) and they have solid roots andlocation in this marvelous and mysterious universe.

Sue Wyatt

2012-01-07T10:58:00.004+11:00

Our latest Genimates profile is from one of my newer social media contacts. As she has just recently retired from teaching and will have a lot of time on her hands I expect we will hear a lot from Sue Wyatt.

Thanks, Sue, for your prompt response to my plea for profiles.

Date: 4 Jan 2012

Name: Sue Wyatt

Hometown: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist?

Hobbyist but have done convict research for people overseas and within Australia

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research?

No formal studies but have done database inputting for the Female Convicts Database in Tasmania.

How long have you been chasing ancestors?

A bit over 35 years

How did you get hooked on genealogy?

Doing some research in high school but then starting to ask questions from relatives who knew very little.

What is your day job?

Just retired but doing some Tasmanian eSchool teaching using blogs for global collaborative projects with schools around the world.

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy?

Probably researching convicts sent to Tasmania in particular.

Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups:

I was a member of the Tasmanian Genealogy Society but with so much online now, I rarely visit and have let my membership stop.

What are the lands of your ancestors?

Mostly United Kingdom particularly England.

What Family Names are you Researching?

Wyatt, England, Jackson, Chandler, Colgrave, Watkinson, Dixon, Davey, Smith, Swain, Tedman, Boyd

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why?

John England because he deserved to be sent out as a convict but he turned his life around once he was a free man again.

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why?

Whenever I go on a long holiday, I visit U.K and have looked at churches and record offices in many of the counties where my ancestors came from.

What is your favourite resource for genealogy?

At the moment, I am enjoying using Trove, the online newspapers in Australia. I have just added more people to my database and am finding some interesting articles about their lives in Australia.

Do you keep your genealogy files on paper?

Some parts such as emails or snail mails from relatives.

Do you keep your genealogy files on a computer?

Yes, I use ‘The Master Genealogist’ but I have yet to update to a newer version.

Do you have your tree posted on the internet?

I have some pages of my tree posted on a personal website and some on GenesReunited but as yet, not the whole database on the internet.

What Social Networking Sites do you use for genealogy?

Ancestry, Twitter, Google+, Looking4Kin

Do you have a blog?

I have about 8 blogs but none of them relate to genealogy. I am thinking of creating one especially as I have just retired and have more time to give to genealogy. Here is the link to my image blog which also has all other blogs on it.

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests?

My main hobbies and interests are genealogy, using the computer, blogging, reading and travelling .

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book?

Since travelling around USA/Canada in 2011, I have started reading books by Tony Hillerman about a Navajo detective.

What is your personal philosophy in a few words ?

Sources, sources, keep those sources. Otherwise ‘Live life to the fullest’.

GeniMates - Stars of 2011

2012-01-04T21:20:00.001+11:00

The Poster Boy of GeniMates for 2011 was Darrin Lythgoe whose profile had more than twice the number of visits of any other.

Rounding out the top five were:
Helen V Smith
Liz Pidgeon
Randy Seaver
Alona Tester

Nancy Shively

2012-01-03T20:56:00.000+11:00

I owe fellow Rootstech Official Blogger, Nancy, a huge apology. After receiving her submission for Genimates I promptly forgot about it and the Genimates blog giving it a big holiday. This is a super profile to relaunch Genimates, thanks, Nancy.

It's a New Year and I have resolved to continue publishing Genimate profiles when people submit them to me.

I look forward to meeting Nancy in person in Salt Lake City next month and meanwhile am following her blogs and post on various social media.

Date: 21 Sept 2011

Name: Nancy Shively

Hometown: Oklahoma City but now living in Tulsa

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist?
Hobbyist for now

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research?
I've been fortunate that my stint as the Family Tree Firsts blogger for Family Tree University has allowed me to take several of their classes including Vital Records, Land Records and Writing Your Family History among others.

How long have you been chasing ancestors?
About a year and a half

How did you get hooked on genealogy?
I've always been interested in the family history. You didn't grow up in the house I did without a keen respect for history in general. But the discovery that my grandparents had lived in the town I had recently moved to (serendipity?) lit the spark so to speak. Then my daughter suggested that I might want to watch Who Do You Think You Are, I started poking around online and that was it. I was completely addicted.

What is your day job?
Public Librarian

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy?
I'm still learning so I don't really have any areas of expertise yet!

Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups:
I'm still working on that. My local society meets on a night that I regularly work. I've been able to make some of their sponsored workshops though.

What are the lands of your ancestors?
Mostly the U.K. and Switzerland. My husband has Canadian ancestors.

What Family Names are you Researching?
Allen, Blosser, Haworth, Easley, Armstrong, Harrison, Shively, mostly in Missouri and Tennessee. Prudhomme in Canada.

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why?
Probably my paternal grandmother. She made it through a difficult life with her common sense and sense of humor intact.

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why?
How about an ancestral country? I would basically stow away on any plane going to the U.K. if I thought I could get away with it! I'm a pathetic anglophile. (In fact my username on Ancestry.com is Okieanglophile.) But I would also like to visit Bern, Switzerland where my paternal Blosser family is from.

What is your favourite resource for genealogy?
My dad. He is a walking goldmine of family stories. I also spend a lot of time on Ancestry, Family Search and Fold3.

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?
After a long debate I chose Reunion. It works the best with my Mac.

Do you have your tree posted on the internet?
Yes

If Yes What is the URL?
http://trees.ancestry.com

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

Do you have a blog?
Several

What are your blogs' URLs?
http://nancyshively.blogspot.com and www.gatheringstories.com and http://www.familytreeuniversity.com/category/family-tree-firsts

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests?
Since my first grandson was born a little less than 2 years ago, I am an avid Nana. I also enjoy reading, writing and knitting. I inherited a floor loom which I am determined to learn how to use. I found out later that one of my early ancestors was a weaver by trade!

I converted to Eastern Orthodox Christianity (you know...Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox...those guys. Only in English.) a few years ago and sing in our church choir. I can feel my Anabaptist, Quaker and French Hugenot ancestors revolving in their graves on that one.

What is your favourite leisure time activity apart from genealogy?
I love going to the movies and hanging out in bookstores. Kind of a busman's holiday but there it is.

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book?
anything by Jane Austen...yes I'm one of those.

What is your personal philosophy in a few words ?
I think it was Plato that said "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." I try to remember that.

The Tech Savvy Genealogists' Meme - Cheryl Bailey

2011-09-25T20:55:00.000+10:00

Cheryl Bailey has taken up my offer to post responses to The Tech Savvy Genealogists' Meme here on the GeniMates blog.

Thanks, Cheryl, for emailing your responses to the meme. A full list of responses can be found at The Tech Savvy Genies

Hi Jill

Here is my response to your meme. 30/50 Not quite on the pulse but not too bad all things considered. Thanks for keeping me so well informed what's happening in the Genie world.

Cheers
Cheryl

The Tech Savvy Genealogists' Meme

The list should be annotated in the following manner:
Things you have already done or found: bold face type
Things you would like to do or find: italicize (colour optional)
Things you haven’t done or found and don’t care to: plain type
Feel free to add extra comments in brackets after each item

Which of these apply to you?

Own an Android or Windows tablet or an iPad
Use a tablet or iPad for genealogy related purposes
Have used Skype to for genealogy purposes
Have used a camera to capture images in a library/archives/ancestor's home
Use a genealogy software program on your computer to manage your family tree
Have a Twitter account
Tweet daily
Have a genealogy blog
Have more then one genealogy blog
Have lectured/presented to a genealogy group on a technology topic
Currently an active member of Genealogy Wise
Have a Facebook Account
Have connected with genealogists via Facebook
Maintain a genealogy related Facebook Page
Maintain a blog or website for a genealogy society
Have submitted text corrections online to Ancestry, Trove or a similar site
Have registered a domain name
Post regularly to Google+
Have a blog listed on Geneabloggers
Have transcribed/indexed records for FamilySearch or a similar project
Own a Flip-Pal or hand-held scanner
Can code a webpage in .html
Own a smartphone
Have a personal subscription to one or more paid genealogy databases
Use a digital voice recorder to record genealogy lectures
Have contributed to a genealogy blog carnival
Use Chrome as a Browser
Have participated in a genealogy webinar
Have taken a DNA test for genealogy purposes
Have a personal genealogy website
Have found mention of an ancestor in an online newspaper archive
Have tweeted during a genealogy lecture
Have scanned your hardcopy genealogy files
Use an RSS Reader to follow genealogy news and blogs
Have uploaded a gedcom file to a site like Geni, MyHeritage or Ancestry
Own a netbook
Use a computer/tablet/smartphone to take genealogy lecture notes
Have a profile on LinkedIn that mentions your genealogy habit
Have developed a genealogy software program, app or widget
Have listened to a genealogy podcast online
Have downloaded genealogy podcasts for later listening
Backup your files to a portable hard drive
Have a copy of your genealogy files stored offsite
Know about Rootstech
Have listened to a Blogtalk radio session about genealogy
Use Dropbox, SugarSync or other service to save documents in the cloud
Schedule regular email backups
Have contriibuted to the Familysearch Wiki
Have scanned and tagged your genealogy photographs
Have published a genealogy book in an online/digital format

Dr. Bill (William L.) Smith

2011-09-19T19:35:00.001+10:00

Dr Bill is a busy boy. He is an active contributor to social networking sites including the new Google+ as well as a regular blogger.

I am chuffed that he made time to respond to my GeniMates questions, Thanks Bill.

Date: 9 Sep 2011

Name: Dr. Bill (William L.) Smith

Hometown
Born and raised in Coon Rapids, Iowa (prior to college); lived all over the United States; currently reside in Hollister, near Branson, MO.

Hobbyist vs. Profession Genealogist ( I do not do genealogy work for others for pay)

I have been 'chasing my ancestors' - casually since mid-1970s; seriously since 1995.

My wife and I each had 'family tree' materials passed along to us in the 1970s from others (her mother, my aunt and parents). At the time, we developed interest but 'life' got in the way - three daughters and work prevented committing time or other resources to it. By 1995, we had more control of our time and resources, and made a personal commitment to begin "filling in the gaps" and to begin to "solve the mysteries" as well as travel to sites around the U.S. where our ancestors had lived.

Since June 2009 I am officially retired as Professor Emeritus from my University. I now read, write and research where my interests take me. I have published two novels with a third and fourth well underway. Besides my (several) blogs I write on two (weekly) topics for Examiner.com: Springfield Genealogy Examiner and Ozarks Cultural Heritage Examiner. (Ozarks is the mountainous region we live in consisting in parts of Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma).

What are the lands of my ancestors?

My maternal grandmother was born in Denmark. I just learned who her grandparents were (all four), so I completed identification of my 'round of 16!' My paternal grandfather (Smith/Schmidt/Schmitt) was born in Alsace-Lorraine (France/Germany). His wife was born in Sweden. One third-great-grandfather was born in Ireland. All the rest of my lines go back to U.K., including Wales. Several lines are very long in the USA.

What Family Names are you Researching?

KINNICK is the surname I've done the most with. I have a KINNICK Surname Blog. I've published, in 2003, an online 900+ page update of a 1953 KINNICK family history.

From page two of my Dr. Bill Tells Ancestor Stories blog, these are my family names, thru 3rd GGparents, plus a few:

Butler, Carle, Christensen*, Duncan, Fad, Kinnick/Kennick, Krag, Miller, Mortensdatter, Nielsen*, Preston, Rolen/Rolin, Simmons, Smith/Schmitt, Soderstrom, Sorensen, Williams

*Same line - Danish naming convention explains difference.

Additional lines researched, further back:

Firestone, Jones, Kimmerling, Kirk, Lee, Schwyhart, Vesterstrom

Who is your favorite ancestor? Why?

Cannot do one - I'll hold to three, briefly:
1) James P. Preston - paternal grandmother's father - my aunt said, "We don't know much about my grandfather." NOT. She knew, but didn't want to share. He 'abandoned' his four children - in her viewpoint. My wife and I have very much enjoyed learning his story: California gold fields, Montana rancher, wealthy and poor… interesting stories.
2) John Butler - my Irish 3rd GGfather - fought in Rev War - many gaps in his history in early frontier days - at Hull's surrender of Detroit in 1803, etc.
3) William Kinnick - Sergeant Major in Revolutionary War - I'm working on a non-fiction book on him and his times.

What is your favorite resource for genealogy?
The one that has the record I'm looking for!! I use every resource I can locate.

Genealogy Files
I keep a lot of paper files, but, I primarily use Reunion software on my Mac for my family database. I've used several PC and Mac softwares over the years.

I've historically published my database on Rootsweb; I've recently begun participating on WikiTree - that will continue.

Social Networking
I use Facebook, Google+, and Twitter (for outbound only).

Blogging
My primary blog is Dr. Bill Tells Ancestor Stories [http://drbilltellsancestorstories.blogspot.com/], others are linked there.

Other interests
Wife, three adult daughters, two sons-in-law, two grandchildren (boy 7 - girl 4) - reading and writing - photography.

I encourage others to record and share the family history information they discover; and, be sure to examine and understand the social history of the time and place your ancestors lived.

Kylie Willison

2011-09-12T10:24:00.000+10:00

When she participated in my recent meme challenge to Australian geneabloggers I realised that I had not yet asked Kylie to submit a profile to Genimates.

I thank Kylie for her support of my efforts and for responding so swiftly to my plea for a GeniMates profile.

Date: 7/9/2011
Name: Kylie Willison
Hometown: Flaxley, South Australia now live in Adelaide, South Aust
Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Hobbyist

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research?
I haven't undertaken any genealogical studies.

How long have you been chasing ancestors? 6 years

How did you get hooked on genealogy?
I found an online family tree site and started filling in my tree and then wanted to know more, and more, and more.

What is your day job? Student

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy?
I love helping others with using their computer and the Internet.

Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups:
I'm a member of the South Australian Genealogy and Heraldry Society.

What are the lands of your ancestors?
Australia
England
Scotland
Prussia
Cornwall
Ireland

What Family Names are you Researching?
Buring
Buehring
Wigley
Willison
Scadden (Scaddan or 'on')
Chapman
Boyd
Reid
Hayward
Welsh
Rubeni
Heeps
Tyrrell
Plunkett
Moon
Burnet
Muir
Bodger

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why?
One of my favourites is Ellen Mary Patten, formerly Welsh, nee Chamberlain. Ellen came to Australia with her sister when they were quite young, she survived a shipwreck, insolvency, living in city and country areas, the death of several of her children and her first husband and living hundreds of miles away from her family. What an amazing woman.

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why?
Scotland because I have ancestors from both sides of my family there.

What is your favourite resource for genealogy?
My favourite resource would have to be Trove. There is so much information to find there besides the cold hard facts of births, deaths and marriages.

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 use ancestry.com to record my family tree. My sister and I work on it together from time to time and this way we both have access. I also download a gedcom file of the tree to take with me on my Android phone. I use Family Bee on the phone.

Do you have your tree posted on the internet? Yes

What Social Networking Sites do you use for genealogy?
Ancestry, Facebook, Other

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

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests?
I'm currently studying Cert IV in Textile Arts so this keeps me very busy.

What is your favourite leisure time activity apart from genealogy?
Crocheting

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book?
Currently Tomorrow When The War Began by John Marsden

What is your personal philosophy in a few words ?
I follow Jesus.

Rosemary Jones

2011-09-07T17:36:00.001+10:00

I stumbled across Rosemary's blog earlier this year and have since noticed her efforts in the Australian and British Groups on Facebook where she provides assistance to fellow genealogists.

I am grateful to this expat Aussie for sharing her profile on GeniMates.

Date: 5/9/2011

Name: Rosemary Jones

Hometown: Sydney, NSW living in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Hobbyist

What is your day job? Retired

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research?
I attend local seminars and watch any webinars that strike my fancy.

How long have you been chasing ancestors?

5 years or so.

How did you get hooked on genealogy?
After my father died I found that he had sent for the index entries for his aunts and uncles in Victoria. He also had a brief note from his sister stating what she knew of their grandfather.

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy?
I'm most familiar with English and Australian Genealogy and within those areas I'm pretty much of a generalist.

Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups:
I'm a member of the Tulsa Genealogical Society and participate in the Facebook Groups for English and Australian Genealogy.

What are the lands of your ancestors?
England on both sides of the family, with perhaps a little Scotland and Ireland thrown into the mix.

What Family Names are you Researching?
My direct lines are Tissott, Sutherland, Bull, Brothers, Reeder and Barnard but I'll happily delve into the in-laws and shirt-tail cousins.

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why?
This week it has to be Isaac Williamson, a particularly bad lot out of Aberdeen, Scotland, transported to Van Diemen's Land for Assault and Battery. I always find the bad boys of interest because they leave a lot of documentation of their doings.

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why?
This would probably be Great Ellingham in Norfolk where my grandmother Sarah Reeder and her family lived for a number of generations.

What is your favourite resource for genealogy?
Ancestry, followed by FindMyPast and FamilySearch.

Do you keep your genealogy files on paper? No

Do you keep your genealogy files on a computer? Yes

What genealogy software do you use to record your family tree?
Family Tree Maker 2011

Do you have your tree posted on the internet? No

What Social Networking Sites do you use for genealogy?
Ancestry, Facebook, Other

Do you have a blog? Yes

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

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

The Cupboard is Bare

2011-09-04T16:04:00.001+10:00

I am so grateful to those genealogists who have taken the time to submit profiles to the GeniMates blog. I know that your fellow GeniMates enjoy reading about you.

I have now reached the stage where the cupboard is bare - I have no more profiles up my sleeve. I have asked around 90 people to submit profiles, some have responded that they are not in a position to do so - I understand and thenk them for their responses. Some have promised to submit a profile - I hope that when they have a few minutes to spare they will submit their profile and around 25 have not responded to my invitation as of yet. I have a few more names on my list and will contact them over the next few days.

If you have any suggestions for genealogists (especially from The British Isles) to profile please let me have their contact details and I will write to them.

Helen V Smith

2011-09-02T15:58:00.000+10:00

I have yet to meet Australian genealogist, Helen Smith, but feel as if I know her reasonably well due to her activity on social networking sites and as a blogger. I appreciate Helen's responses to my posts in various forums.

Hopefully some day soon our paths will cross. Maybe someone in Sydney will invite Helen down to give some of her medically flavoured genealogy talks.

Thanks to this very busy lady for sharing her profile on GeniMates.

Date: June 2011
Name: Helen V Smith
Hometown: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Both

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research?
Halfway through a Certificate in Genealogical Studies-English Records with National Institute of Genealogical Studies,Informally I read everything I can and subscribe to most family history magazines. There is so much information available now reading people’s blogs. I listen to as many podcasts as possible (my iPod Touch is my great friend while driving) and while travelling for work. I learn from webinars. I attend as many conferences and presentations as work and finances will allow. I know you never stop learning and it is so much fun!

How long have you been chasing ancestors?
Since 1986

How did you get hooked on genealogy?
My Mother lamented the fact she had never known her Grandfather, George Howard Busby. I decided to see what I could find out, found some information and a newspaper photo of him, became hooked and have been addicted ever since.

What is your day job?
Molecular epidemiologist

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy?
Queensland, Kent, Oxfordshire, England, Medical History and One Name Studies

Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups:

I have been a member of Genealogical Society of Queensland since late 1980’s and have been a Committee member.
I have been a member of Southern Suburbs Branch of Genealogical society of Queensland since round 1998 and have been a committee member for many of those years.
I am currently a member of Queensland Family History Society, Oxfordshire FHS Society, Kent FHS, Society of Genealogists and the Guild of One Name Studies (registered name Quested) and am currently the Queensland Regional Representative for the Guild.

What are the lands of your ancestors?
Australia, England and Ireland

What Family Names are you Researching?
Quested, Amos, Busby, Carter, Courtenay, Culley, Cullicoat, Drury, Evans, Feeny,Filmer, Hamer, Howard, Jelley, Joy, Lewis, Longley, Meridith, Millen, Morgan, Moyle, Nicholls, Philpott, Plumridge, Robinson, Rollason, Smith, Spargo, Spear, Weeks, White, Wills

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why?
Depends who I am researching at the time but I always have a soft spot for George Howard Busby, first because he was the cause of my starting family history so we started this addiction together and secondly because he did so many interesting things. He joined the Cape Mounted Rifles in the Boer War, was in the 15th Battalion at Gallipoli, as well had served in the Ambulance Brigade and the Fire Brigade. He also worked as a Press photographer in late 1920-early 1930s.

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why?
I have been lucky enough to visit most of my ancestral areas except the family areas in Ireland. Ancestral memory may linger as I felt instantly at home in Coombe , Oxfordshire where the Busby family pretty much were related to everyone in the village.

What is your favourite resource for genealogy?
Hmm very hard to pick just one. Trove in Australia, GENUKI in England,FamilySearch and then there are the pay sites for many of which I have subscriptions.

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?
The Master Genealogist and also use Legacy

Do you have your tree posted on the internet? Yes
If Yes What is the URL? Currently on Ancestry

What Social Networking Sites do you use for genealogy?
• Ancestry• Facebook• GenealogyWise• LinkedIn• MyHeritage• Twitter

Do you have a blog? Several
What are your blogs' URLs?
http://helenvsmithresearch.blogspot.com
http://historicalmedical.blogspot.com
http://kentresearch.blogspot.com
http://questedonenamestudy.blogspot.com/

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests?
Writing, reading, playing with new tech toys, social history, medical history

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

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book?
Have too many to list. Books have been favoured companions for many years and have over ten thousand at home. I read everything except horror.

What is your personal philosophy in a few words ?
Do your best, live life to the fullest. Pay it forward.

If you have anything else to share please add it below.
Life is a journey linked from the past to the future. Live it, enjoy it.

Kathleen Fanning

2011-08-29T09:18:00.000+10:00

We move back downunder for our next GeniMates profile.

Kathleen also completed her profile about the time I was setting off overseas so I apologise to Kathleen for sitting on it for quite a while.

I have been following Kathleen's blog for some time now and really enjoy her well-researched and thoughtful posts.

It is an honour to be able to publish Kathleen's profile.

Date July 2011
Name Kathleen Fanning
Hometown NSW Australia
Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Hobbyist
What is your day job? Teacher

How long have you been chasing ancestors? About four years

How did you get hooked on genealogy?
My father used to tell us about his family when I was growing up and I gradually got more and more interested in my ancestry. I was lucky in that I knew exactly where in Ireland the Fannings came from. A second cousin of mine had also done a family tree and her family still live in the original homestead in Bulla Victoria. They held a family reunion there and had lots of original documents and photos. This kindled my interest. Although thinking about it ,probably the main factor has been the internet. It is now so easy and quick to trace a family history compared with a few years ago. This is especially true with Victorian ancestry.

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research?
I have taught myself using internet resources and some books.

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy?
I have specialized in Ireland and particularly North Tipperary around Thurles where my ancestors came from.

What are the lands of your ancestors?
On my father's side they all came from Ireland: Co Tipperary, Co Limerick, Co Galway, Co Down.
On my mother's side they came from England, Scotland and Ireland.

What Family Names are you Researching?
Fannin, Fanning, Sheehan, Hayes, Darmody, Skeehan, Gormley, Collins, Gribben, Dell, McSweeney, Cook, Collier, Knighton, Ledwidge, Ryan, Canavan, Mackey, Glass and more.

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why?
One ancestor I am fascinated by is my ggrandmother on my mother's side. Growing up I was told both my ggrandparents had died during the Spanish Flu Epidemic. I had always imagined these very old fairly dowdy people in sensible coats. Then I discovered a photo of my ggrandmother, Annie McSweeney, and she was a stunner ! Nothing like I had imagined. I discovered she had an interesting and wild life having two husbands and having a child to the second while still married to the first. I wish I knew more about her.

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why?
I would like to visit Thurles Co Tipperary as this is where my Fanning ancestors were born and lived and I would also like to visit Cobh which is where they left for the colonies in 1841. I am planning a trip to Ireland in 2012.

What is your favourite resource for genealogy?
Apart from the internet I use two books a lot: A New Genealogical Atlas of Ireland by Brian Mitchell and the Index to the Townlands, and Towns, Parishes and Baronies of Ireland 1851. For starting out in Irish ancestry research I recommend John Grenham's Tracing Your Irish Ancestors.

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 2011

Do you have your tree posted on the internet? Yes

What Social Networking Sites do you use for genealogy?
Ancestry, Twitter, Google+

Do you have a blog? Yes
What are your blogs' URLs? www.fanningfamilyhistory.com/

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests?
Bush regeneration, gardening, kayaking, yoga, reading, photography

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

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book?
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

If you have anything else to share please add it below:

I have two trees on Rootsweb World Connect:

My maternal side, Knighton Family Tree
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/wcus?db=knighton_torpey

and my father's ancestry, Fannings From Tipperary
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/wcus?db=fanning-tipp

I also have these trees on Ancestry.com

Miles Meyer

2011-08-24T10:27:00.001+10:00

I owe Miles a huge apology, although he submitted a profile in July I didn't manage to post it before my big trip. I actually came face-to-face with Miles in a Google+ Hangout last month, this exciting tool provides a great opportunity for genealogists to discuss issues face-to-face,

Thanks Miles, for sharing your profile, I have enjoyed reading it - what an interesting and varied bunch we genealogists are!

Date: 9 July, 2011
Name: Miles Meyer
Hometown: Originally from Ft. Loramie, Ohio but now live in Jacksonville, Florida

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Hobbyist

What is your day job? Biologist with the US Fish & Wildlife Service

How long have you been chasing ancestors? 16 Years

How did you get hooked on genealogy?
One day I just started when I found an assignment I did back in 3rd grade where we compiled a pedigree chart. Since then I have spent about 2-4 hours each day researching either my genealogy or that of someone else. I think I enjoy the hunt and the great stories I find no matter who's family I am researching.

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy?
Internet & new technologies. I have been an early adopter of many of the new tech toys. I am also a beta tester for several companies so I get to try out the new bells and whistles before others.

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research?
I am basically self taught. My profession as a scientist has provided me with the skills to do research and look for detailed information. I began learning more detailed genealogical research techniques when I was called as a Family History Consultant. After that I began learning by teaching.

Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups.
I haven't formally become a member of any genealogy groups or societies. I frequently attend meetings of the local groups as an invited guest to talk about new products that are being tested.

What are the lands of your ancestors?
All my ancestors come from Germany.

What Family Names are you Researching?
I always enjoy this question since I don't have that many common names. Some of the names I am researching include: Westerheide, Garman, Mescher, Bielefeld, Aufderhaar, Wierwille, Gaier, Stueve, Mescher, Wesner, Bornhorst, Leugers, Schweiterman, Sacksteder, Roetgerman, and Meyer along with others.

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why?
My favorite ancestor is my great grandfather Raymond Bernard Westerheide. Mainly becuase he was a booze runner during Prohibition in the US. There are some great stories from his life. Additionally, my favorite ancestor on my wife's family line is either Corydon Reeder or Willie Mae Harris. Corydon is interesting because he travelled from Ohio to Oregon, got married in Indiana and Iowa and then in Oregon, then moved to Wyoming during the 1800s. He must have had an interesting life. Willie Mae Harris is interesting because she had been married 4 times before she died at the age of 45.

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why?
Many of my wife's ancestors come from St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands. I think that would be an interesting place to visit with all of its history.

What is your favourite resource for genealogy?
My favorite resource currently is the FamilySearch.org website. The amount of information that is being added to this site each month is impressive. I know it is not as large or as user friendly as Ancestry.com but I always direct people to it if they are starting since it is free and there is a wide variety of information there.

Do you keep your genealogy files on paper? No
Do you keep your genealogy files on a computer? Yes

What genealogy software do you use to record your family tree?
I currently use Ancestral Quest. My wife uses Legacy. But I also have Roots Magic, PAF, My Heritage Family Tree, Family Insight, Family Tree Maker, and several other programs installed so I can test them and speak about them.

Do you have your tree posted on the internet? Yes
If Yes What is the URL? It is posted in so many places that I have forgotten most of them. just google me and you will find some of them.

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

Do you have a blog? Yes
What are your blogs' URLs? http://milesgenealogy.blogspot.com/http://ourancestories.blogspot.com/

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests?
I enjoy doing things with the Boy Scouts. I teach several BSA merit badge classes including Genealogy, Environmental Science, Fish & Wildlife Management, Plant Science, Bird Study, Soil & Water Conservation, and many others. I enjoy outdoor activities like hiking (no hills here in Florida), camping, canoeing. I also am a part time professor and enjoy teaching people about their environment.

What is your favourite lesiure time activity apart from genealogy?
I like to take nature walks.

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book?
Orson Scott Card's "Ender" Series

What is your personal philosophy in a few words ?
"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." - Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

If you have anything else to share please add it below:
I try to take every chance I can to continue learning.

GeniMates News.

2011-08-24T09:34:00.000+10:00

I've had a wonderful five week break visiting Europe and the US. I had intended sourcing and publishing some GeniMate profiles while I was away but visiting and learning about new places just got in the way.

While dining with an American couple one night on board ship I mentioned that I was obsessed by genealogy. The wife of the couple said that she wanted to get started but that it would be difficult because of her Japanese Heritage. I mentioned that I had a contact that might just be able to give her some assistance so I found Valerie Elkins' details from her GeniMates Profile, sought out the lady and passed them on. The lady was most grateful - I do hope she contacts Valerie.

On my return from overseas I was thriled to hear that my proposal to present on an International Panel with three of my GeniMates, Amy Coffin (USA), Audrey Collins (UK) and Joan Miller (Canada) at the Rootstech 2012 conference was accepted. I look forward to collaborating with these ladies on the presentation.

Early in my trip I spent 2 1/2 days researching at The National Archives in Kew. I was so thrilled that Family History Specialist, Audrey Collins, took time out of her busy day to have lunch with me and to seek me out for a second lunch date. I enjoyed being able to share my enthusiasm about the finds I had made with the chirpy and friendly, Audrey. Having a friend in such a big institution enhances the experience of the visit.

More Interviews

2011-07-11T07:58:00.002+10:00

Not long after The First Post on this blog in February, the people over at My Heritage launched into a similar series of interviews with people from the world of genealogy. Great minds think alike!

If you wish to meet the people that My Heritage have interviewed hop over and take a look at their interview series. These include: Ann Major, Anne Bradshaw, and Kay Francis.

Carol Cacciapuoti

2011-07-09T19:37:00.000+10:00

I spotted Carol over on the British Isles Genealogy Group on Facebook where she does an amazing amount of work assisting the members of that group.

I am thrilled to be able to profile another Canadian genealogist. Thanks, Carol for your entry.

Date 30 June 2011
Name Carol Cacciapuoti
Hometown Bolton Ontario Canada

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Hobbyist

What is your day job? Homemaker

How long have you been chasing ancestors? 12 Years

How did you get hooked on genealogy? I always had the interest since I was a child, but never delved into genealogy until 1986, when a cousin wrote a book, and another cousin did a huge family tree. That is when I started asking older relatives for information.

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research?My first computer was purchased in 1999 and after my daughter showed me the basics, I was off and running, in a search for my Irish and English ancestors. I had no studies at all, just prayers to God to guide me in my search. I met a super nice lady, who worked on my family, in Ontario, and she helped me with information and documents from the archives, she has since passed on and is missed very much.

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy?
I do very well in England and Ireland, and in Canada, especially Ontario, all by computer.

Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups.I am not involved in any groups as I have no time, with doing the Bookkeeping for a small family business. I belong to Facebook groups and help when I can.

What are the lands of your ancestors? Paternal- Leicestershire, England and Manitoba
Maternal- Ireland, Scotland, Huron County, Ontario and Manitoba

What Family Names are you Researching? Paternal: Cleaver, Ward, Fitchett,

Maternal: Graham, Henry/ Henery, Marks, Wiggett, Robinson ( have a contact)

There are extended Family names, but I haven't expanded on them as yet.

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why?My favourite ancestor is my Paternal Great Grandfather, James Cleaver, who helped me, (after a prayer to him) to start my search for the Cleavers in The Midlands, England, as I had thought we were Irish and could find nothing in Ireland.

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why?Paternal: Hinckley, Leicestershire, England, where the Cleavers originated from 1700s to mid 1850's then to Leicester, Leicestershire, and Birmigham, Warwickshire, where my Grandfather was born.

Maternal: Cavan County, Ireland where my Henry Family lived, from approximately 1825 to 1838, and Enniskillen ,Fermanaugh, Ireland, where my Grt Grt Grt Grandfather died, in 1858.

What is your favourite resource for genealogy? My favourite resource is Family Search.org and also Ancestry.ca, with Genes Reunited very good also.

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?Presently I am using Ancestry.ca, but I do have an old Family Tree maker partially done, on my old computer.

Do you have your tree posted on the internet? No

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

Do you have a blog? No

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests?
Family events, Reading, Art, Cooking, Baking, small business operation, am Intuitive, and am interested in Pyschic Phenomena.

What is your favourite lesiure time activity apart from genealogy?Computer and cooking for a big family

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book? Jean Auel Prehistoric series

What is your personal philosophy in a few words ?Pray often, thank God for each sunrise, do what makes you happy, respect the elders in your family, keep your family united, and look at each day as a new experience

If you have anything else to share please add it below.I am not a professional, blessed with a good husband, Mom of five daughters and a son, Grandmother of eight Grandchildren, and Great Grandmother to two little girls.
I am blessed with our family, friends, good health per se, and strong "pioneer" genes that keep me optimistic and always wanting to learn more.

Amanda Epperson

2011-07-01T11:08:00.001+10:00

Amanda E Epperson

As I have a number of Scottish ancestors who emigrated to Australia "The Scottish Emigration Blog" (http://www.scottishemigration.blogspot.com/) is on my list of RSS feeds. Keen to find out more about the person behind this blog I approached Amanda for a Genimates profile.

Thanks, Amanda, for sharing your story with us.

Date 29 June 2011
Name Amanda E. Epperson
Hometown: South Pasadena
Current City: Cleveland, Ohio (more or less)

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist?
Neither, I am a professional historian who is fascinated by family history

What is your day job?
I teach history at a community college

How long have you been chasing ancestors? As an historian, I’ve been chasing people from the past for about 15 years. For my own family, on and off for many more years.

How did you get hooked on genealogy?
Both of my grandmothers were interested in their family histories. My one grandmother had a very neatly printed out family tree that a cousin had done, but she didn’t actively do any research. My other grandmother and her sister did research their families and drag me to overgrown cemeteries. I think part of their interest came from the fact that their parents had been orphaned, so they did not have really know where their family came from.

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research?
I have a PhD in history with a specialization in immigration – I have always been fascinated by how people move about and take their culture with them. I have also attended several genealogy conferences and workshops.

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy?
Ohio and Scotland

Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups.
I belong to the Ohio Genealogical Society and the Great Lakes Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists. My APG chapter meets most months to discuss articles from the National Genealogy Society Quarterly (NGSQ).

What are the lands of your ancestors?
My dad’s family has been in the United States for a really long time. We haven’t traced them back to Europe yet, but we presume that most branches are from the British Isles. On my mother’s side are more recent immigrants from Scotland, Norway and Sweden.

What Family Names are you Researching?
The four main ones are: Eldridge, Epperson, Hood, and Nordstrom.

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why?I try not to play favorites.

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why?I would like to visit Sweden, Norway, and Finland.

What is your favourite resource for genealogy?The internet.
Do you keep your genealogy files on paper? Yes (but I’m trying to move to an all/mostly digital system)
Do you keep your genealogy files on a computer? Yes

What genealogy software do you use to record your family tree?I’ve used Family Tree Maker since the first or second DOS version. But I’ve recently gotten Legacy to do some work for a client. It is not as pretty as Family Tree Maker, but I really like its interface for citations.

Do you have your tree posted on the internet? No

What Social Networking Sites do you use for genealogy?I don’t use social networking for genealogy, but I do use several of the sites listed for other purpose.

Do you have a blog? Several
What are your blogs' URLs?
The Scottish Emigration Blog: http://www.scottishemigration.blogspot.com/
& The Historian’s Family: http://www.historiansfamily.blogspot.com/

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests? Reading, knitting, trying to stay out of trouble.

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book?
Pride & Prejudice

What is your personal philosophy in a few words ?Don’t Worry; Be Happy. (yes, you do hear Bobby McFerrin in your head)

Congratulations, GeniMate, John Patten

2011-06-27T09:25:00.000+10:00

In John's blog, The Patten Project, he reported on his latest career move.

"I'm taking my interest in history and genealogy into a professional capacity, having this week given notice at my current job, moving on to a position at Museum Victoria, where I will be helping to bring Victoria's Aboriginal history to a wider audience."

Congratulations, John, with your passion and commitment to indigenous history and genealogy you are a perfect appointee for the position.

Sally Shine

2011-06-24T11:06:00.080+10:00

I enjoy following Sally Shine on Twitter, @CanIFindThem, as she tweets about her current research projects and shares news of resources for Australian Genealogy. I love Sally's happy name that is matched by the sunny smile in her photo.

Thanks, Sally, for so willingly agreeing to complete a GeniMates profile.

Date 22 June 2011
Name Sally Shine
Hometown Trafalgar East, Victoria, Australia

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Hobbyist

What is your day job? Merchandiser

How long have you been chasing ancestors? Abt 22 yrs

How did you get hooked on genealogy?
My sister in law Kate Press was researching her lines and was well into Genealogy. After asking a few questions I was well hooked on my own family lines of research.
I remember in the first few months going to a talk and hearing the words "You need to know where you came from to know where you are going"

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research?
I started like most others, in a town library with micro fiche. To save all the travel I purchased my own fiche, then cd versions, then books, maps and then travelled. I volunteered as a Librarian for abt 15 years at the LDS library in a local town. Answering questions makes you learn very quickly. I have done Genealogy talks to local group. An expert - no but the feedback from helping others is amazing and so rewarding. All queries make you look outside the box to find the answers.

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy?
An expert - No. A puppy after a bone - yes. Latter Day Saints library work tought me to prove things more than 1 way and work backwards always.

I love working with Census pages and altering the search criteria.

Newspapers are also an amazing source of data. I set up a new database for each family that I help and need to fill in ALL the places, Bth, Mar, Dth & Burial. Did they travel, what is their occupation etc.
Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups.
My membership with Societies has changed over the years depending on what area I am researching, but the GSV is a long standing favourite. Volunteer work in a local LDS library was the most rewarding but is now closed. My years going to DPS (Dead Person Society) days were full of sharing idea. My volunteer work now is from home.

What are the lands of your ancestors?
Gosh, before Australia & New Zealand, England, Ireland,Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland & Germany

What Family Names are you Researching?
ALLEN - DUNLOP _ GOULD - ARMSTRONG ... Northen Ireland.
BOASE - MURRAY - PAYNTER ...England
FISHER - New Zealand & Germany .
Mc GACHEN - MERCER - MAITLAND - FERGUSSON ...Scotland.
ROBINSON - BURGES ... England.
AUST / AUSTIN - PARROTT ... England & Wales
Mc CRAE - FRASER - ADAIR ...Scotland.
ROULSTON - OSBORN Ireland.
HOGBEN - KEMBER - BAX - WEEKS ... England.

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why?
I have some scallywags, several convicts. Also William Howard BOASE left a wife and chn in Eng and came to Aus with Elizabeth Mc GACHEN. The Mc GACHEN family has always had a pull on my thinking. I now sit researching with Alexander Mc GACHEN my GGG Grandfather 1791-1850 looking down on me. This picture was bought in a car boot sale then years later offered to me over the net. It took a year to get him here and yes he cost more than the car boot price.

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why?
I have been lucky to have been to most already. The cobble stones of Edinburgh to trace the steps of the Mc GACHEN's, Edinburgh Castle to learn more on the Military lines. The Ancestral home of the Mc GACHENS at Dalwhat, Dumfriesshire. After 6 years I found the ALLEN home in Northern Ireland, and my cousin still lives there. In Aus, Blackwood is a favourite. To hear the family home was dragged from one side of the road to the other, as yes it sat lopsided.
Where else is there to go? Hunting Headstones - To photograph for later generations.

What is your favourite resource for genealogy?
All areas but I guess Census pages. They tell a tale of employment, relationships, areas of travel.

Newspapers online fill in amazing tit bits, bth, dth and marriages. Burials and where and by whome. Financial status. Who wore what to a wedding. It is endless.

Then the official registrations online to confirm data.

The sites I visit ofter are, Find My Past, Ancestry.com, TROVE, Papers past, and more.

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 have used Generations for years. I should upgrade but I now have this programme jumping hoops, so changing sound really hard.
I have an old versions of Family Tree Maker that I sometimes need to use to view another persons Gedcom.

Do you have your tree posted on the internet? Yes

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

Do you have a blog? No

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests?

Cooking, Genealogy.
Being a domestic Goddess, Genealogy.
Gardener, Genealogy.
Country Women's Ass., Genealogy.
As you can see I love to seek and find :-)))

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

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book? Murder mystery

What is your personal philosophy in a few words ?
You need to know where you came from to know where you are going.
When you give it out it always comes back 10 fold.
Treat people that way you would like to be treated.
Good air in Bad air out.

If you have anything else to share please add it below.
Smile, Be happy, Remember those that have past, that is why I am here.

Cassie Mercer

2011-06-19T11:17:00.001+10:00

Sitting behind a trade table at an Unlock the Past event last year in Sydney I found Cassie Mercer selling subscriptions to her newly launched magazine "Inside History". I immediately subscribed to the mag and have not been disappointed with that decision. I love finding in my letterbox the latest edition of this snappily designed publication that has content of great interest to Australian genealogists.

Thanks, Cassie, for submitting your profile to GeniMates, our readers will be fascinated by your colourful ancestors. I'd like to read more about them.

Date 11th June, 2011
Name Cassie Mercer
Hometown Sydney

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Hobbyist

What is your day job? Editor of Inside History magazine

How long have you been chasing ancestors? Since 1998

How did you get hooked on genealogy? I was well and truly hooked when my mum told me that one of our Irish ancestors, Edward Turley, was a highwayman in Dublin. His grandson was Harry Readford, aka Captain Starlight, who became notorious in outback Australia for his highway-thieving antics as well.

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy? I hope my expertise lies in being able to write and edit people's research and help them craft their family history into a terrific story. I co-founded Irish Wattle, which publishes books on Irish convicts, and have edited six books to date (see http://www.irishwattle.com/).

Since 2010 I have edited and co-published Inside History magazine, which is a bi-monthly magazine focused on genealogy, history and heritage in Australia and New Zealand (see http://www.insidehistory.com.au/)

Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups. I regularly liaise with family history and local history societies around Australia and New Zealand as part of my work for Inside History magazine. We are about to launch a new section in the magazine where we will profile a society in each issue, so it's exciting to hear about what records a society holds, and the events they are planning.

What are the lands of your ancestors? Ireland, Scotland, England, Denmark

What Family Names are you Researching? Turley, Maher, Gullidge, Sweatman, Perry, Futcher, Battle

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why? I can't go past my g.g.g.g.g grandmother, Jane Maher, because she showed to me that she was pretty savvy and resilient. In Dublin she ran a brothel, then when she was transported for receiving stolen goods, she managed to survive the journey to Sydney on one of the most brutal convict ships of the 1790s, the Britannia. Once in Sydney she applied for and was granted a baker's licence at the Rocks, and ran it for a number of years.

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why? I've never been to Denmark, and I would like to visit to find out more about my family tree on my paternal grandmother's side

What is your favourite resource for genealogy? Irish newspapers published in the late 1790s. They've been a goldmine for our Irish research.

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 don't use any at the moment, but I am investigating options!

Do you have your tree posted on the internet? No

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? http://insidehistorymagazine.blogspot.com/

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests? Travelling as much as we can, growing new business ideas.

What is your favourite lesiure time activity apart from genealogy? Window shopping on asos.com, browsing magazines for design inspiration and sleeping!

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book? Possession by A.S. Byatt

What is your personal philosophy in a few words ? Where there's a will, there's a way.

Shelley

2011-06-12T21:23:00.001+10:00

A young Australian genealogist that I would dearly like to meet is Shelley. It seems as though I have known her for quite some time but our relationship has only developed via social media in the last couple of years. Shelley consistently gives me encouragement through comments on my blogs and responses to my tweets.

We are both fans of TNG, a program developed by another GeniMate, Darrin Lythgoe and are proud new owners of Galaxy Tabs.

I am honoured to present Shelley's profile. Thanks Shelley for your ongoing support and for sharing your profile to GeniMates.

Date 28 May 2011
Name Shelley
Hometown Canberra

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Hobbyist

What is your day job? Public servant

How long have you been chasing ancestors? 20+ years, on and off

How did you get hooked on genealogy? I think I was always interested. Perhaps it's partly because my middle name, and those of my siblings, have family connections that I was always aware of and curious about.

More specifically I remember asking my grandfather about who his parents were when I was 13. He drew up a pedigree for me showing his grandparents, and my grandmother's grandparents as well and gave me a copy of some correspondence he'd had with his sister about the family. What a great head start on that branch! Then in high school one of my friends was given an assignment to research her family tree. I was jealous of her homework! It opened my eyes though that it was possible to research your family. I'm not sure I realised it before then.

I started researching in my final year of high school. By then I had my driver's license so I could get to the library, and a part-time job so I could pay for certificates.

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research?
I'm currently doing the basic level Australian Records courses with the Institute of Genealogical Studies. No relevant studies prior to that.

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy? No particular area of expertise. I am most familiar with records from Victoria, Australia

What are the lands of your ancestors? Various locations in the British Isles.

What Family Names are you Researching? Allen, Allsop, Baker, Barnes, Bennett, Black, Carrey, Chaplin, Collins, Couper, Darcy, De La Roche, Donnell, Fearn, Forbes, French, Halliday, Hardy, Hay, Isaac, Keogh, King, Lee, Lewis, Mack, Martin, McFarren, McKeogh, McKough, McMahon, Mee, Miller, Morrison, Oakham, Penhallurick, Perrot, Robotham, Sinclair, Smith, Spence, Stannus, Sutherland, Sweyne, Tregonning, Willoughby, Wood

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why? Whoever I have a new lead on at the time.

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why? All of them! I hope one day to travel to the UK and Ireland and follow an itinerary based on where my ancestors lived. I wouldn't even have to fit in research to make the trip worthwhile, just getting off the beaten track with a purpose would be fascinating.

What is your favourite resource for genealogy? TROVE newspapers

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? Genbox

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

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

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

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests? Between part-time work and full-time young children, genealogy is one of the few interests I am still able to pursue. I'd like to get out and see live theater more often, do an art class here and there, read a book, go to the gym... The activity I miss the most is tap dancing.

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book? The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham

A Double Dose

2011-06-08T19:47:00.001+10:00

I make contact with Genimates via email, facebook, twitter or blogs and have only met a handful of them in the flesh. At today's meeting of The Hawkesbury Family History Group I hit the jackpot when I came face to face with two of our GeniMates, Peter Stewart and Michelle Patient.

Peter is soon to conclude a three year term as President of the Campbelltown Family History Group but he will not be taking it easy. As a Jurd descendant he is working on a history of the family in preparation for their reunion in 2012.

Michelle, an Aussie who lives in New Zealand, had contacted me to say she would be in Australia for a while. We agreed to meet up at the GOONS talk at Hawkesbury after which we shared a long lunch with Robyn (whose last name I do not know). Michelle updated us on plans for the New Zealand Family History Fair that is to be held in Auckland in August 2011. While in Australia she is making contact with a number of speakers and companies who will be joining the fun at the fair.

I hope that, as I gad about, I come face to face with more of our GeniMates.

Luke Mouland

2011-06-07T20:36:00.001+10:00

Dorset, one of my favourite counties in England, is home to Luke Mouland of Kith and Kin Research. I have been following Luke online at Twitter and appreciate his tweets about the genealogy scene in "The Mother Country". I was thrilled when he replied promptly to my request for a profile for GeniMates.

Thanks, Luke, for telling us about your involvement with genealogy.

Date 4th June 2011
Name Luke Mouland
Hometown Sherborne, Dorset, England

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Professional Genealogist

What is your day job? Genealogist, historian and writer

How long have you been chasing ancestors? Six years

How did you get hooked on genealogy? I inherited two family portraits - one depicting my 2x great-grandparents and the other my 3x great-grandparents. These having fascinated me thorough my childhood, I soon decided to find out more about the people featured.

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research? The State & The Poor in Britain, 1830-1939 (GCE Advanced Level)

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy? I spend much time placing the lives of ancestors against the wider social and historical context in which they lived. Background research is vital to understanding our ancestors' lives in perspective.

Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups.
- Founder Member of London Historians
- Member of the Sherborne Historical Society
- Dorset Online Parish Clerk (Lillington & Longburton)

What are the lands of your ancestors? England, Ireland, Malta, Australia, Canada

What Family Names are you Researching? Main lineages of interest: Arnett, Budd, Carn, Lillington, Maidment, Mouland, Newman, Wareham

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why? I have great admiration for my 2x great-grandmother, Gertrude, who left her humble origins behind to enlist into the Salvation Army. She dedicated much of her life to the cause, eventually becoming an officer.

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why? Floriana in Malta. This is where my great-grandmother was born, so I would very much like to visit the building where she spent the first few years of her life.

What is your favourite resource for genealogy? Poor Law records are particularly fascinating to research but I also like to delve into probate documents, which can be equally wonderful. But, with those aside, census records never loose their appeal, either!

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

Do you have your tree posted on the internet? No

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? http://kithandkinresearch.posterous.com/

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests?
- Cycling
- Walking
- Reading
- Writing

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

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book? The Blackest Streets by Sarah Wise

What is your personal philosophy in a few words ? Life is short. Seize every opportunity.

Carmel Reynen

2011-06-04T21:49:00.001+10:00

Our newest GeniMate, Carmel has recently joined Twitter, to see what she has to say follow @CarmelReynen . Carmel was one of the first people to join the Australian Genealogists group on Genealogy Wise and has offered some good advice to members there. Since she joined up I have been keeping up with her via GenealogyWise and her blog..

Thanks to this very busy lady for submitting her profile to GeniMates.

Date 21 May 2011
Name Carmel Reynen
Hometown Haddon, Victoria, Australia

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Hobbyist

What is your day job? Enquiry officer in a call centre

How long have you been chasing ancestors? 33 years

How did you get hooked on genealogy? I believe it started at primary school when we did some study on the gold rush and I found I had gold mining ancestors. Also my grandmothers told stories.

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research? No formal studies.

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy? I often think I am not an expert. That is until I help someone with obvious things and they are so happy and cannot believe I was able to find things.
I find Victoria Australia is where most of my experience lies, but cemeteries, and looking at things in an ordered way. I have had people come to me saying so and so was a family member can you help me find out how? Well it is not starting at that person but yourself.

I guess it is all the experience that makes me an "expert" in many areas but definitely not all.

Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups. I am involved with the Ballarat and District Genealogical Society, in fact was an original member but left for a number of years because of work and family commitments. Now Editor of the quarterly newsletter "Link"
I have also been involved in the digitisation of Smythesdale Cemetery.
Have photographed many cemeteries now on line.
Have done a lot of Data Entry of Records for on line.
Helped many people, and attend Family History Days to assist.
Given talks at family history days.
I am also involved in a number of genealogical lists that are slowing now in popularity

What are the lands of your ancestors? England, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark,
my husband is Dutch

What Family Names are you Researching? Barwise, Woodhead, Walkeden, Nolan, Murphy, Butler, Johnson (Swedish!) Petersen,(Danish) Reynen (Reijnen, Dutch) Strybosch (Strijbosch Dutch) Royle, Fox, Mossop. just to name a few!

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why? I have a number of very interesting ancestors, from convicts, councillors, pioneers, bigamists, etc. I could not really name a favourite but love it when I can find things on their lives which will bring them to life.
Newspapers are coming on line and it can be surprising what you can find.
I can say there are a couple I don't really like but think maybe there is something that will redeem their faults.

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why? All of them. I would like to go to St Bees in Cumbria, there is a house there that is still in the family and has been since at least 1548!

What is your favourite resource for genealogy? Birth Death and marriage indexes, newspapers, census, electoral rolls, wills, inquests.

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 use Family tree Maker and have done for years, my husband bought it for me for my birthday one year and I have continued to update it.
I also use Ancestry.com as I can easily share it all with Family and have found a number of others related either directly or with some who married into my family. They often have records I have not got and visa versa

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

Do you have a blog? Yes
What are your blogs' URLs? http://www.google.com/url?q=http://myfamilyhunt.blogspot.com/&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2_E2qfvFc-Nwk3wVdUuEbxALGjHOw

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests? I have 5 children, 6 Grandchildren (so far) and work 2 hrs travelling time from home. I do not really get time for other things, but want to travel at some stage.

What is your favourite lesiure time activity apart from genealogy? Family get togethers

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book? Mysts of Avalon

What is your personal philosophy in a few words ? To treat everyone as an individual and as they would treat me. I am not going to like everyone but I will most people I meet.

You never know who you may find you are related to.

If you have anything else to share please add it below.

Cheryl Bailey

2011-06-01T19:12:00.000+10:00

Cheryl was one of the enthusiastic Australian genealogists with whom I conected on Google Wave. I was impressed by the amount of energy she put into that doomed project. It is wonderful to see the Australian genealogy websites that she has produced for the benefit of others.

Cheryl is one of our quiet achievers.

Date 22/5/2011
Name Cheryl Bailey
Hometown Toowoomba now living on the Mornington Peninsula

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Hobbyist

What is your day job? Retired

How long have you been chasing ancestors? 30 years

How did you get hooked on genealogy? A cousin showed me a hand drawn family chart with only names on it and there was no father attached to my grandfather. After 30 years we still do not have 100 percent proof of the father.

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy? Tasmania

Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups. Past member and indexer of the Tasmanian Family History Society, Genealogical Society of Queensland and the Queensland Family History Society.

What are the lands of your ancestors? Orkney Isles, England, Australia

What Family Names are you Researching? Armstrong, Batey, Coombs, Cottenham, Curd, Dalton, Davison, Ellam, Embrey, Gammon, Gent, Heppel, Husthwaite, Irvine, Kaye, Kirsop, Leatheard, Louttit, Mellie, Metcalfe, Morley, Parsons, Pratt, Raspin, Ratcliffe, Raymant, Scarth, Skaife, Spence, Stokan, Varo, Winsby, Wood

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why? James MORLEY because he has left a wealth of descendants who take a keen interest in the family history.

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why? Withyham, East Sussex because I would like to get that same spiritual feeling as when I visited Buckland Cemetery, Tasmania in the 1970's before I was interested in Genealogy.

What is your favourite resource for genealogy? Family Search
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? IFamily for Leopard, PAF

Do you have your tree posted on the internet? Yes
If Yes What is the URL? http://aussiemandas.familytreeguide.com/tree_index.php

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

Do you have a blog? Several
What are your blogs' URLs? http://sites.google.com/site/aussiemandas/, http://aussiemandasancestry.wordpress.com/

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests? Photography, Reading, Internet Researcher, Scrapbooking

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

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book? Arthur Mee's Children's Encyclopedia

What is your personal philosophy in a few words ? To help and encourage others and to be grateful for all blessings that come my way.

If you have anything else to share please add it below. Also have the following:

a website devoted to the passengers of the "Oriental" which landed at Hobart, Tasmania in 1859. http://sites.google.com/site/oriental1859immigrants

a website "Tasanclin" dealing with resources and help. https://sites.google.com/site/tasanclin/

Three Genimates named as Official Bloggers

2011-06-01T18:32:00.000+10:00

I was thrilled to read in a press release at Geneapress today that three Genimates have been included in the list of Official Bloggers for the upcoming FGS 2011 Conference - Pathways to the Heartland – to be held in Springfield, Illinois, September 7-10, 2011.

Congratulations to:

Amy Coffin of We Tree (http://wetree.blogspot.com)

Linda McCauley of Documenting the Details (http://lfmccauley.blogspot.com)

Randy Seaver of Genea-Musings (http://www.geneamusings.com)

Take a look at their Genimates profiles (linked from their names) to find out more about these bloggers.

Linda McCauley

2011-05-25T20:43:00.000+10:00

The tradition of Genimates' equator hopping continues as we move back to the northern hemisphere with this latest profile from Kentucky, USA.

I can't remember when I started following Linda's blog "Documenting the details" or following her on Twitter but I know that I have been very impressed with her recent reports on the NGS2011 Conference in her blog.

Genimates' readers will appreciate reading your profile, thanks Linda.

Date 21 May 2011

Name Linda McCauley
Hometown Mt. Vernon, Kentucky, USA

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Hobbyist

What is your day job? I'm retired

How long have you been chasing ancestors? 10 years

How did you get hooked on genealogy? In 2001, I picked up a couple of things that my grandmother had written - a fill-in-the-blanks family tree book and a handwritten life story. I looked at them right after she died in 1978 but hadn't thought much about them for years.

For whatever reason, I took a second look in 2001 and decided I should look for some software to use in sorting out what she had written about her family and my grandfather's family. I was hooked by the time I got her information entered.

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research? All of my studies have been informal - workshops, genealogy conferences and webinars. I recently enrolled in the National Genealogical Society's American Genealogy Home Study Course.

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy? I don't really have an area of expertise but much of my research has been in Kentucky so I'm probably most familiar with Kentucky records.

Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups. I'm a member of the Kentucky Genealogical Society, Kentucky Historical Society, National Genealogical Society and a few small local societies.

What are the lands of your ancestors? I have yet to identify an immigrant who arrived in America after the Revolutionary War (1775-1783) so I haven't proven the homeland for very many of my lines. The ones I know are England, Ireland and France (by way of England).

What Family Names are you Researching? Lanier, Bennett, Jackson, Gamble, Hankins, Petty, Goodloe, Thomas, Hopkins, Howard, Morris, Taylor, Ramsey and Owens

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why? The answer to that question might vary from time to time depending on which family I've been working on lately.

Today I'd say my favorite ancestor was my great-grandmother, Nancy Jane Bennett. She had to be a very strong and determined woman to have endured all of the hardships that came her way. In addition to living much of her life in extreme poverty, she lost at least two (maybe four) children in infancy, four other children died as young adults and another one disappeared and was never seen by her again.

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why? Rouen, France. Rouen is the earliest ancestral location I've identified. My Lanier ancestors lived there in the 1500s.

What is your favourite resource for genealogy? The resources I use the most would have to be Ancestry.com and FamilySearch but my favorite is still any courthouse with old records. There is just something special about touching the actual records your ancestors created.

Do you keep your genealogy files on paper? No
Do you keep your genealogy files on a computer? Yes

What genealogy software do you use to record your family tree? Legacy Family Tree

Do you have your tree posted on the internet? Yes
If Yes What is the URL? www.lfmccauley.com

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

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

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests? Photography, Travel and (watching) University of Kentucky Basketball & Football

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

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book? My favorite book is often the one I just finished. My favorite genre is mysteries.

What is your personal philosophy in a few words ? Life is too short not to do the things you enjoy most.

If you have anything else to share please add it below. I answered "no" to the question about having my genealogy on paper but the answer is really somewhere between yes and no.

Of course, I have records and some information on paper but I'm not anywhere close to having everything that is in my Legacy database on paper. I am in the process of printing it all out since paper is still the best way to ensure that someone years from now will have access to my research.

GeniMates Connects Cousins

2011-05-24T16:59:00.000+10:00

Connecting cousins was not a goal I had in mind for the GeniMates blog but it has done just that.

I had an email from a gentleman, Don, who had been reading the blog. He recognised some of the family names one our our GeniMates had posted so he contacted me. I forwarded his email on to that GeniMate.

She wrote to me today "Turns out Don is the son of a cousin of my mother in law who is still alive though they haven't seen each other for years. We are organising a reumion. Your genimates site has proved not only really interesting but helpful, regards ."

I am feeling rather chuffed.

Garry Raffaele

2011-05-21T11:40:00.001+10:00

I met today's GeniMate, Garry, in the Australian Genealogists' Group on Genealogy Wise. Thanks Garry, for respondong to my invitation there for members to submit profiles to GeniMates. I hope some others from Australia and elsewhere will follow suit.

Date May 19, 2011
Name Garry Raffaele
Hometown Melbourne, Canberra

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Hobbyist

What is your day job? Retired

How long have you been chasing ancestors? 5 years

How did you get hooked on genealogy? Brother visited family's hometown in Sicily - Pantelleria - and took notes

What are your areas of expertise in genealogy? Novice

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research? None

Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups. None, apart from the website (Genealogy Wise)

What are the lands of your ancestors? Ireland, Scotland, Italy,

What Family Names are you Researching? Raffaele, Dunsby, Kilmartin, Parnell, Mundy, Campbell

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why? John Dunsby, transported to Australia from London for stealing a shirt

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why? Panelleria, home of the Raffaeles

What is your favourite resource for genealogy? The Web

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? Reunion 9 (Mac)

Do you have your tree posted on the internet? No

What Social Networking Sites do you use for genealogy? Facebook, GenealogyWise

Do you have a blog? No

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests?
Field hockey, photography, jazz drumming, cycling, gym work

What is your favourite lesiure time activity apart from genealogy? Practising drums

What is your personal philosophy in a few words ? Try to walk in the other person's shoes (I don't do it too well)

Peter Stewart

2011-05-08T17:57:00.003+10:00

I am extremely grateful when I approach people out of the blue to submit a profile to GeniMates and they respond enthusiastically. I am not known to Peter and was so pleased that he must have checked out this blog and decided that it was safe to respond to me.

Peter, the President of the Campbelltown District Family History Society, is typical of the sort of person I love to profile on GeniMates. He is one of a band of unsung heroes who works in a voluntary capacity to progress the pursuit of genealogy in his local area.

Thank you, Peter, for telling us your story.

Date May 6, 2011
Name Peter Stewart
Hometown Campbelltown, NSW

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Enthusiastic hobbyist

What is your day job? Caring for Aged and infirm Religious at St Gregory's College Campbelltown, NSW. I am a Marist Brother and for 30 years taught in Catholic Primary Schools in Australia & New Zealand. My last 11 years in education I was a Primary Principal.

How long have you been chasing ancestors? Twenty years

How did you get hooked on genealogy? I had an interest in where my maternal grandfather was born and raised in Yockleton, Shropshire, England and had decided I would visit there if and when I got the chance to travel. I met grandfather's neice who was 96 at the time and wrote to a cousin living in Sydney. Joan suggested that I try and find out about the Simon and Tomlins families before they came to Australia. And as they say, "the rest is history".

When I returned home in 1993 and was telling my sister what I'd discovered she asked what I'd done on Dad's side. I had to admit - nothing. Pat suggested that I contact a 2nd cousin of Dad's in Moree, which I duly did - only to find out that Dorrie had died 3 months before Dad in 1990. Her son contacted me and sent me a copy of all his mother's info. And I went from there with the Jurd Family, my paternal grandmother's maiden name. With some 500 names recorded I mused on what I would do with them. Having seen a couple of family historys that had been produced around the time of Australia's Bicentennary and realising that 2002 was the 200th Anniversary of the arrival of Daniel Judd/Jurd, a convict, in August of that year, I sussed out a few opinions on trying to put the info I had into a booklet. Like topsy, it just grew. The book, "To Live On In The Hearts And Minds Of Descendants Is To Never Die" was launched at the reunion on the 200th Anniversary with some 8,600 descendant names recorded, and where possible stories told.

I was asked at the Reunion, "Well what now?" 'The Descendants of Daniel and Elizabeth Jurd nee Douglas Association' was formed at the reunion. I've continued researching and writing and we've planned a 200th Wedding Anniversary Reunion for the weekend of 28-30 September 2012 at Windsor. Elizabeth was the daughter of First Fleeters, William Douglas and Mary Groves.

There are currently in excess of 13,600 descendants on my database, along with many more stories, facts etc. There will be a 2nd edition of the book launched at that reunion.

I get really excited when I hear from those connected with the family or who have an interest in this particular family.

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research? I have no formal training in genealogy. I regulary attend meetings of the Windsor Family History Group and the Campbelltown District Family History Society. I have had an immense amount of assistant from fellow researchers.

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy? Enthusiasm for genealogy. Love to ferret out info where possible as time permits.

Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups. January 2003 joined the Windsor Family History Group and attend monthly meetings as often as possible - usually each month.

June 2003 - joined Campbelltown District Family History Society Inc. July 2003 was elected as Treasurer, August 2008 was elected as President. I conclude my time as President in August this year.

What are the lands of your ancestors? England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Australia.

What Family Names are you Researching? Began researching the Tomlins & Simon Families, then the Stewart line.

Currently working on Jurd, Stewart, Walters, Walker, Fernance, Thompson, Bailey and associated families.

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why? Elizabeth Jurd, the Currency Lass. Elizabeth was only 16 when she married in 1812 and Daniel was 32. She was one amazing woman. Daniel died in August 1833 leaving her with 9 children, the youngest was 7 months old. She not only raised her family but also cared for several orphans. I see her as a woman of great strength, practical, compassionate, a woman of love and generosity. She suffered the death of 3 children in 1856 within a few months.

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why? Colsterworth - where Mary Groves grew up, Lincolnshire where William Douglas came from and track down where Daniel Jurd hailed from. I don't know much about their lives before they were transported as convicts.

What is your favourite resource for genealogy? BDM's, Ancestry and Ryerson Index

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 for Windows

Do you have your tree posted on the internet? Yes
If Yes What is the URL? Genes Reunited - a basic tree

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

Do you have a blog? No

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests? Long car drives, cooking, cake decorating; spending quality time with friends and family

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

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book? Not a good reader so don't have a favourite book.

What is your personal philosophy in a few words ? To live a happy fulfilling life, being caring and helpful to people. Trying to keep healthy

If you have anything else to share please add it below. Would love to hear from ANYONE who is related to the JURD Dynasty or who knows any of the Jurd and associated families. Feel free to put them in contact with me please.

Shauna Hicks

2011-05-05T12:55:00.000+10:00

Shauna is another of my virtual Aussie GeniMates whom I first met on Twitter a couple of years ago and then, in person, in Sydney last year. In her profile Shauna says she is semi-retired. It's a hectic semi-retirement - Shauna seems to have a very busy time flitting all over Australia and NZ giving presentations on many areas of interest to genealogists. I have attended a couple of her well-prepared and information-rich talks.

Thanks, Shauna for sharing your profile on GeniMates.

Date May 1, 2011
Name Shauna Hicks
Hometown Currently Melbourne, from Brisbane originally

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Bit of both

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research? Diploma in Family Historical Studies from Society of Australian Genealogists but as a mature age student I also did a BA in Australian History & Anthropology, an MA on female philanthropy in colonial Queensland (inspired by my gg grandmother) and so that I could work in archives and libraries I also did a Grad Dip in Library Science. All studies were part time while I worked full time and did the family thing!

What is your day job? Semi retired but have a small business doing research and consultancy work, still in the genealogy area.

How long have you been chasing ancestors? Since 1977

How did you get hooked on genealogy? My first husband and I sat down to watch Roots on television and I was hooked from the first episode. At the same time, I saw an ad in the local paper from someone who was running a How to Trace Your Family History and by the end of the series I was finding my own ancestors. I've never stopped and it's great that it is one of those hobbies that you can do when time/resources permit.

As indicated by my studies above, I went on to actually work in areas where I could indulge my genealogy passion and have been fortunate to work in archives and libraries since 1981 until I retired from working in government for just over 35 years.

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy? Australia especially Queensland and Victoria but have researched my ancestors in all Australian States. I have a particular interest in archives, asylums, prisons, military, mining and religious records driven by my own ancestors' backgrounds.

Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups. I first became involved with the Genealogical Society of Queensland back in 1977, and particularly with the North Brisbane and Southern Suburbs branches. I was also a founding member of the Queensland Family History Society and served on the Council in various positions. In the ACT I was also on the Council of the Heraldry & Genealogical Society of Canberra and since moving to Melbourne I have also been on the Council of the Genealogical Society of Victoria and am also a member of the Australian Institute of Genealogical Studies and the Cornish Association of Victoria. At various times I have also been a member of the Society of Australian Genealogists and when in Sydney try to give talks to members.

What are the lands of your ancestors? I have families in all Australian States excluding the Northern Territory and the ACT.

Overseas I have New Zealand, Norway, Scotland (Angus), England (Staffordshire, Northamptonshire, Wiltshire and Cornish interests), South Africa, Canada and the USA.

What Family Names are you Researching? Just looking at the first 5 generations - Carnegie, Fegan, Finn, Gunderson, Halvorsdatter, Jeffers, Johnston, Judge, Price, Rosewarne, Silk, Titt, Trevaskis, White
On my son's side - Atkinson, Bullen, Carradus, Evans, Hansen, Potter, Thomsen, Walker
On my partner's side - Adkins, Barwick, Brooks, Burstow, Crow, Dean, Eldridge, Hill, Horne, Jarvis, Oakley, Pilbeam, Pyers, Spencer

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why? I have quite a few favourites mainly because they have left behind records that allows me to know them a bit more. One gg grandmother had an illegitimate son, married and lived out in far western Queensland, went on to have a bit of a drinking problem and spent quite a bit of time in and out of gaol for vagrancy and prostitution before she met and ran off with a bloke she then lived with for over 20 years before marrying him. In the end she died a respectable old lady in her 80s.
Another gg grandmother also had a hard life as her husband seems to have been also fond of a drink and beating up his wife and their adventures in various courts have given me wonderful insights into the family. Despite having 9 children and living in a tent, this gg grandmother still found time, and I hope happiness, in having an affair with another man and even in her old age, she still had a younger gentleman friend.

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why? I really want to go to Cornwall and see the mining areas where my ancestors were from. This seems to be a quite different area from the rest of England. The West Bromwich area of Staffordshire is another area I would like to visit and also Wiltshire. We are talking of going over in 2012 so I really need to give this more thought.

I would also like to go to Minnesota in the US where my Norwegian ggg grandfather is buried and I have another ggg grandfather buried in Canada (still tracking him but possibly Nova Scotia).

What is your favourite resource for genealogy? These days the Internet and it is hard to think how we did any research back in the late 1970s and 1980s. I have managed to break down a number of my old brick walls with the ability to search census records online. However it is important to remember that not everything is online.

I don't think you can really go past BDM certificates as a favourite resource as they give so much information that allows you to really prove your research. Of course with my ancestors backgrounds I would also have to say court and prison records are also a big favourite.

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? Legacy Family Tree - used to be Brothers Keeper before I made the change.

Do you have your tree posted on the internet? No

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

Do you have a blog? Yes
What are your blogs' URLs? http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.shaunahicks.com.au/shhe-genie-rambles/&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2_uT45RxbaT-vzxA47g-MyiiD67hQ

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests? I like fishing, gardening, reading, cooking and travelling. We have family all over Australia and now that we are both (sort of) retired we are doing more of those activities. I have all our genealogy on the laptop so I can still do that away from home.

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

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book? The Poldark novels

What is your personal philosophy in a few words ? Life is too short and you need to make the most of every day - doing things that you really enjoy and are passionate about will keep you young and involved with life.

If you have anything else to share please add it below. I need to scan more of my paper based records and photographs so that I always have them with me but more importantly, I have backups of those paper based records and photographs. While I have draft family histories for most of my families, I need to finalise them so that the knowledge I have on the families is not lost to future generations.
Everyone who is researching their family should think about how they are going to leave their family history records and who to - before it is too late!

Paul Willis

2011-05-01T19:38:00.004+10:00

Paul Willis

Whenever someone leaves a comment on my blog I take a look at his/her profile.

Paul Willis' profile led me to his very attractive and information rich genealogy website. As I wanted to find more about the man behind the site I sent Paul an invitation to submit a profile to GeniMates.

Thanks, Paul, for your prompt response and for sharing your story with us.

Date 29 April 2011
Name Paul Willis
Hometown Hawkhurst, Kent, UK, but now living in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, UK

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Very keen [almost obsessive] Hobbyist!

What is your day job? I'm a Civil Servant, working in a Job Centre

How long have you been chasing ancestors? Since January 2008

How did you get hooked on genealogy? It all started after I was diagnosed with depression in 2008 and was off work for three months. I took the opportunity to stay with my parents in the Scottish Highlands and while they dug out the research my dad had done in to the family history back in the 1970s. He hadn't been able to get very far (no Internet in those days!) but there was also a bundle of old photos and letters which fascinated me. In particular a four-page letter from my grandmother's sister, Lizzie, to her family written in 1919 when she was employed as a domestic servant in a house in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. As I read it I was fascinated by the mention of my grandmother's name and those of her parents and siblings, but also intrigued by the reference to members of the household where she was working. Following a lot of research I was able to finally set out a full picture of the context and background to the letter. Its now on my website at http://www.thewillistree.info/stories/?p=40

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research? I can honestly say I've had no formal or informal training. I've picked up everything I know from my own journey into my family's history - through magazines, books and hints from others.

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy? I woudn't say I have one, but I guess I have become quite good at researching the lives of those from my family tree who died during the two World Wars. I set up a separate website called 'The Roll of Honour' to set out this research. I've been able to set out there in hopefully a reverent way the details of each individual and as much information as possible, including links to their service records, and their entry on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.

Its been humbling to discover their stories, in particular instances where brothers were killed in action, or those who died while still in their teens, or left behind young families.

Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups. To be honest I have no connection to any Genealogy Societies.... I am somewhat at a disadvantage living so far from my geographical area of study!

What are the lands of your ancestors? My ancestors come predominantly from the area around the East Kent coast in England. One strand (my dad's mother's paternal line) comes from South Devon but yep for the most part everyone is rooted in Dover!

What Family Names are you Researching? Willis, Hopper, Huggins, Gurnsey, Greenland, Kingsnorth, Nicholls (thats the Devon connection!), Collard, Harvey, Hare are the main ones.

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why? A difficult question with so many to choose from! I have links going back to the knights of Normandy so I could choose one of them! But at the moment my favourite is alot closer to home - my Great-Grandfather, William Nicholls (1870-1932). He was born in East Allington, a tiny village in Devon, but within two years he and his parents and older sister were living in Fort St George in Madras, India. His father was a Gunner in the Royal Artillery and had been stationed there after completing his training in Essex the previous year.

William's father died sometime between 1876 and 1878, and his mother Ellen married John Gorman - another Gunner - in Bengal in 1878. In 1880 the family were in Burma where William's half-brother John was born; no mention of them in the 1881 Census, but in 1883 they were in Dover Castle Barracks, where Patrick - another half-brother - was born.

In 1891 William was 23 and a boarding with a family in Dover, while his mother and step-family were living in Devon! He married his sweetheart, Susannah Kingsnorth in 1895 in Faversham in north Kent and the couple went on the have seven children. Two of those children died, and of the remaining five only one (my grandmother) went on to marry - and only then when she was 41 years old!
The full story can be read here: http://www.thewillistree.info/stories/?p=5

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why? I'd love to go back to Dover again. Although I wasn't born in the town and have never actually lived there, I have wonderful memories of visiting both sets of grandparents there in the 1970s and 1980s as its the area where my parents grew up. I did go back in 2008 for a week to do some family history research but another visit would be great!

Also, I would love to visit the town of West Newbury in Massachusetts USA. Its where a whole branch of the Willis family settled after emigrating from the Kent village of Barham back in the 1830s and 1840s.

What is your favourite resource for genealogy? I have to resist saying 'the internet!' and instead say that my favourite resource has to be people! Since starting my research I've made contact with over 100 people who have also been researching their part of the tree and we've been able to share information and media with each other, and realise that we are related - albeit 2nd, 3rd or 4th cousins, or whatever!

I would also mention a book called 'The Genealogist's Internet' written by Peter Christian (http://www.spub.co.uk/tgi4/index.php) which is about as comprehensive a round-up of online genealogical resources as you're likely to find

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 tend to use my online site (Editor's note: TNG) to record additions and updates, but also have a copy of Personal Ancestral File [PAF] on my laptop for those 'offline' periods!

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

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

Do you have a blog? No

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests? Watching movies, reading my Amazon Kindle, watching TV shows to do with history, watching episodes of 'Who Do You Think You Are?' on DVD...

What is your favourite lesiure time activity apart from genealogy Spending time with family...

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book? "Dover Harbour" by Thomas Armstrong, published in the 1940s. A historical novel set in the town during the turn of the 19th Century...

What is your personal philosophy in a few words ? I suppose take life as it comes, seek the good in everyone, treat people as you would like to be treated, and never lose your sense of humour!

Merron Riddiford

2011-04-27T12:43:00.000+10:00

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

Valerie Elkins

2011-04-25T14:22:00.000+10:00

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.

Bouquets for GeniMates

2011-04-19T09:14:00.004+10:00

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.

Irene Winterburn

2011-04-18T08:05:00.002+10:00

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!

John Patten

2011-04-15T12:11:00.005+10:00

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.

Randy Seaver

2011-04-11T20:26:00.060+10:00

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.

An established genealogy blogger Randy is well-known for this Saturday evening activity and for his weekly "Best of the Genea-Blogs" in which he selects "posts that advance knowledge about genealogy and family history, address current genealogy issues, provide personal family history, are funny or are poignant."

I am honoured to publish a profile from Randy.

Date 7 April 2001
Name Randy Seaver
Hometown Chula Vista, California, USA

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Hobbyist

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research? No formal university or instutute courses.

I've attended several national and regional conferences, and many local genealogical society programs with speakers on fascinating subjects.

What is your day job? Retired from aerospace engineering (research, analysis, test, management)

How long have you been chasing ancestors? Since 1988.

How did you get hooked on genealogy? I did not watch the TV series Roots when it was first shown. I read Alex Haley's book Roots in the early 1980's, and saw the TV series in 1987. I was inspired by both the book and the TV series.

My father died in 1983, and by 1988 we had visited New England several times to visit the cousins, aunts and uncles. They had wonderful stories, and my oldest aunt had done a Seaver descendants report. I figured that I could do this...and have enjoyed the genealogy hunt and family history detective experiences ever since.

Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups I belong to the National Genealogical Society (NGS, USA), New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS, USA), San Diego (California) Genealogical Society (SDGS), Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego (CGSSD), and Chula Vista (California) Genealogical Society (CVGS).

I have been Research Chair, Treasurer, Vice-President-Programs, President and currently Newsletter Editor for CVGS and Genealogy 101 class teacher.

I speak at several Southern California genealogical societies each year on my topics of interest, and teach a senior adult education class on Beginning Computer Genealogy (8 hours) three times each year.

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy? New England USA research.
Town records, land records and probate records.
Research in online free and commercial historical record collections.

What are the lands of your ancestors? England before 1650, plus Wiltshire and Somerset before 1850. No known Scottish or Irish ancestors! (into New England and New York)

German states before 1760 (into New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania)

Netherlands before 1650 (into New York)

English American Colonial ancestors came from 1620 onward into Massachusetts and New York. Several families to Ontario in Canada after American Revolution. Migration westward from the northeast USA to the US Midwest and to California in 1887.

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 ?

Life is short, eat dessert first!

Progress requires change, but not all change is progress.

Pobody's Nerfect.

Genealogy is Fun!

Michelle Patient

2011-04-08T09:21:00.043+10:00

The GeniMates blog is creating opportunities for me to approach people who might write or do something that tickles my fancy and invite them to submit a profile to GeniMates. With Michelle it was an inquisitivness with her Twitter name @patientgenie

Thanks, Michelle, for responding to my request and sharing your story with others on GeniMates. I am stoked to have found a GeniMate who has done volunteer work for one of my favourite Australian resources, The Ryerson Index.

I hope others enjoy reading Michelle's responses as much as I have.

Date 4th April 2011
Name Michelle Patient
Hometown Sydney, Aus & Whitianga, NZ

Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Seriously addicted hobbyist

How long have you been chasing ancestors? Since 1994

What is your day job? IT, Marketing and Project Management

What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research? All informal at this stage, I have attended presentations at SAG, Archives and at various Family History Fairs and online tutorials. Read widely and collected a lot of books for my personal library.

What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy?
NSW (in particular Sydney, Illawara and Hawkesbury areas),
NZ,
Starting out with Family History and
Using computers and the internet

Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups I have volunteered in a number of areas over the years, including being a Ryerson Index "looker-upper".

Currently I am on New Zealand's Family History Fair committee, our next Fair is this coming August, so not a lot of time for personal research at the moment.http://www.nzfamilyhistoryfair.org.nz/

How did you get hooked on genealogy?
I have always had an interest in family stories, I remember sitting on my eldery grandmother's knee looking at photos as a small child. She died when I was 7. Dabbled a bit in research during the early 1990's when my mother's original birth cerificate became available.

The clincher was one Christmas when my mother gave me about a dozen old photos which were my maternal grandmother's. Mum was unable to identify any of them and she doubted I would never be able to find out. The photos were taken between 1863 to 1894. Today 12 years later, only one individual remains unidentified and I was hooked.

What are the lands of your ancestors? New South Wales, New Zealand, England, Ireland,

What Family Names are you Researching?
NSW
Charles, Cross, Davidson, Douglass, Eslin/Heslin, Flood, Hobbs, Hurley, Iredale, Johnson, Jones, King, Marks, McWilliams, Morris, Reid, Robinson, Rose, Simpson, Spear, Uther, Watts

NZ
Burns, Carroll, Cook, George, Hamblyn, McCabe, O'Dowd, Peat, Polack, Ruddell, Wackrow, Williams

UK
Andrews, Bell, Charlestrom, Daughtrey, Day, Gibbons, Hall, Halstead, Hatfull, Jenkins, Lamb, Lee, Mathews, Micklam, Miller, Morrison, O'Brien, Page, Patient, Payfoot, Phillips, Pownton, Read, Russell, Saveall, Soundy, Stringer, Strong, Tate, Thorington, Tuff, Wilson, Wood, Young

What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why? Too many to list here, lots of places in England, Ireland and Scotland.

Why? To get a feel for where they lived. Just to stand on the same steps, walk through the same doors, see the fonts where they were baptised,etc.

Who is your favourite ancestor? Why? I keep getting drawn back to Reuben UTHER b 1791 d 1880. He was my maternal grandmother's grandfather. He arrived in the colony in 1807 "free" as an apprentice to Simeon LORD.

He was one of 3 people who founded the colony's first Hat Manufactory in 3 July 1811. My mother has 3 of his journals from his voyages back to England in 1851, 1855 and 1864 and the travel desk they were written upon.

Through researching his life, I have met so many wonderful relatives and learnt an amazing amount about the development of the colony and of the social history in Australia, New Zealand and as well as back in England.

What is your favourite resource for genealogy? That's too hard!

The Manchester and Lancaster Family History Society Toolbar http://www.mlfhs.org.uk/toolbar/toolbar.phpI can reach all my favourite online resources from there.

The other is any original document - nothing like holding the same piece of paper your ancestor wrote on or a photo that brings their personality to life....

Do you keep your genealogy files on paper? Yes

Do you keep your genealogy files on a computer? Yes

Have you published your tree on the internet? YesIf Yes What is the URL? http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=patientgenie

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

Do you have a blog? No

What genealogy software do you use to record your family tree? Generations for Windows, I know hopelessly out of date, but it is on my netbook.

Reunion for Mac - took the plunge in 2010 to get the uptodate version of Generations, so voila a Mac. Reunion is installed on my PC.

What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests? In no particular order: Embroidery, Politics, Technology, Geology.

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

What is your favourite (non genealogy) book? The Bayeux Tapestry by David M Wilson
What is your personal philosophy in a few words ?
1) Think laterally when you reach a brickwall.

2) Timing is everything, patience is essential.

3) Don't reinvent the wheel, see if others have researched before you but remember to verify any info you find.

4) Share your past for your future relatives and researchers.

If you have anything else to share please add it below

A Genie Journey:
=============

Start with yourself and go backwards, be prepared for information overload and brickwalls. Talk to all the older relatives you know. Make notes, a separate page about the stories of each person, date when you wrote the notes and the source of the info. You'll thank yourself for this later.

Essential ingredient - you need to enjoy a good puzzle, genie research is detective work, like a jigsaw puzzle of unlimited size but with no picture on the box lid!

GeniMates - Two months down the track

2011-04-07T10:02:00.001+10:00

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.

Sharn White

2011-04-06T07:12:00.016+10:00

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