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.
Showing posts with label Rootstech. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rootstech. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Amy Coffin
When I announced on my blog and Twitter that I was going to the Rootstech Conference in Salt Lake City a number of kind North Americans offered me advice and friendship. Amongst these was Amy Coffin, a genealogist from Houston, Texas.
I am honoured that Amy has taken the time to submit her profile to GeniMates.
Date 30 March 2011
Name Amy Coffin
Hometown Houston, Texas
Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Professional
What, if any, formal or informal studies have you undertaken that are relevant to genealogical research? I have a Master of Library and Information Science degree. I took as many classes as I could about research (especially online searching), databases, archives and records management.
I also completed Pro Gen 3, the third class of the ProGen study group (http://progenstudy.org). This process provided many lessons on maintaining a research business.
What is your day job? Genealogist
How did you get hooked on genealogy? I have ancestors who were original enrollees in the Chickasaw Nation. It was my grandparents' wish our family also apply to become Citizens in the present day. While looking at the paperwork, I noticed that my great-grandfather was born in Arkansas. I never knew we had any roots in Arkansas. That was enough to get me looking, and I haven't stopped since that day!
What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy? U.S.-based genealogical research. I have direct access to and experience with most of the repositories in SE Texas and SW Louisiana.
The skills I learned in library school transfer well into genealogy. I can gather and evaluate information quickly and also determine what's missing from the picture. I enjoy using different search strategies and search engines to find information, even that which isn't online.
I also love to write about family history and do so extensively for clients and my own family.
Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups
Acadia Parish Genealogical and Historical Society (Louisiana)
Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP)
Association of Professional Genealogists
California Genealogical Society
Southern California Genealogical Society
Texas State Genealogical Society
What are the lands of your ancestors? United States (AR, CA, LA, MN, NC, OK, TN, TX, WI), France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Luxembourg
What Family Names are you Researching? LENERTZ (this name is also present in Australia. Though I haven't found a connection, I would love to talk with Aussies who have Lenertz in their tree). MENOU, BOURGAUX, COLBERT (Chickasaw), BAERECKE, BOURLAND, WILLIAMSON (AR, TN), JOST (Austria).
Who is your favourite ancestor? Why? I can't pick just one! I love them all for different reasons. However, the ancestor who was shot for stealing the neighbor's wife AND horse makes the best story.
What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why? I would like to visit my great-grandmother's hometown of Inzenhof, Austria. I've been told the JOST name is still there.
What is your favourite resource for genealogy? Everyone seems to say "the Internet" but I am going to say other people are my favorite resource. I just use the Internet to get to them! Really though, there is nothing better than talking face-to-face with other genealogists, learning from them, meeting new cousins and sharing photos and facts. People are the best resource in my book.
Do you keep your genealogy files on paper? Yes
Do you keep your genealogy files on a computer? Yes
What genealogy software do you use to record your family tree? Roots Magic
Do you have your tree posted on the internet? No
What Social Networking Sites do you use for genealogy? Ancestry, Facebook, Geni, LinkedIn, Twitter
Do you have a blog? Yes
What are your blogs' URLs?http://wetree.blogspot.com
What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests? Family, travel, bar trivia, writing, attending sporting events and occasionally stopping to smell the roses.
What is your favourite lesiure time activity apart from genealogy? People do stuff other than genealogy?
What is your personal philosophy in a few words ? If family history is boring, then you're doing it wrong.
If you have anything else to share please add it below You've got a genealogy friend in Texas!
After getting myself lost I arrived late and flustered to the pre-conference media dinner in Salt Lake City; I was pleased to see Amy's familiar face across the room so I made a beeline for her. At the dinner I had a fabulous evening with Amy and Joan Miller who took me under their wings and from that time I did not feel at all lonely or lost at the huge conference.I am honoured that Amy has taken the time to submit her profile to GeniMates.
Date 30 March 2011
Name Amy Coffin
Hometown Houston, Texas
Are you a Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist? Professional
I also completed Pro Gen 3, the third class of the ProGen study group (http://progenstudy.org). This process provided many lessons on maintaining a research business.
What is your day job? Genealogist
How did you get hooked on genealogy? I have ancestors who were original enrollees in the Chickasaw Nation. It was my grandparents' wish our family also apply to become Citizens in the present day. While looking at the paperwork, I noticed that my great-grandfather was born in Arkansas. I never knew we had any roots in Arkansas. That was enough to get me looking, and I haven't stopped since that day!
What are your areas of Expertise in Genealogy? U.S.-based genealogical research. I have direct access to and experience with most of the repositories in SE Texas and SW Louisiana.
The skills I learned in library school transfer well into genealogy. I can gather and evaluate information quickly and also determine what's missing from the picture. I enjoy using different search strategies and search engines to find information, even that which isn't online.
I also love to write about family history and do so extensively for clients and my own family.
Please outline your involvement in Genealogy Societies and Groups
Acadia Parish Genealogical and Historical Society (Louisiana)
Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP)
Association of Professional Genealogists
California Genealogical Society
Southern California Genealogical Society
Texas State Genealogical Society
What are the lands of your ancestors? United States (AR, CA, LA, MN, NC, OK, TN, TX, WI), France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Luxembourg
What Family Names are you Researching? LENERTZ (this name is also present in Australia. Though I haven't found a connection, I would love to talk with Aussies who have Lenertz in their tree). MENOU, BOURGAUX, COLBERT (Chickasaw), BAERECKE, BOURLAND, WILLIAMSON (AR, TN), JOST (Austria).
Who is your favourite ancestor? Why? I can't pick just one! I love them all for different reasons. However, the ancestor who was shot for stealing the neighbor's wife AND horse makes the best story.
What ancestral city or town would you like to visit? Why? I would like to visit my great-grandmother's hometown of Inzenhof, Austria. I've been told the JOST name is still there.
What is your favourite resource for genealogy? Everyone seems to say "the Internet" but I am going to say other people are my favorite resource. I just use the Internet to get to them! Really though, there is nothing better than talking face-to-face with other genealogists, learning from them, meeting new cousins and sharing photos and facts. People are the best resource in my book.
Do you keep your genealogy files on paper? Yes
Do you keep your genealogy files on a computer? Yes
What genealogy software do you use to record your family tree? Roots Magic
Do you have your tree posted on the internet? No
What Social Networking Sites do you use for genealogy? Ancestry, Facebook, Geni, LinkedIn, Twitter
Do you have a blog? Yes
What are your blogs' URLs?
What are your Other Hobbies, Activities, Interests? Family, travel, bar trivia, writing, attending sporting events and occasionally stopping to smell the roses.
What is your favourite lesiure time activity apart from genealogy? People do stuff other than genealogy?
What is your personal philosophy in a few words ? If family history is boring, then you're doing it wrong.
If you have anything else to share please add it below You've got a genealogy friend in Texas!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Kerry Scott
Reading
I like Yoda too. "Do or do not. There is no try." That's good stuff right there.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Darrin Lythgoe
I just love TNG (The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding), the application I use to publish my family tree on the web. This poor old Granny did, however, have a few issues when she tried to update from version 7 to version 8.
The developer, Darrin Lythgoe, tried to help with me the upgrade remotely but I gave up when I knew that Darrin was to have a stall at the Rootstech Conference that I would be attending. I caught up with Darrin at Rootstech where he logged into my web server and upgraded the software for me. What wonderful service when the upgrade only cost me around $14 Aussie dollars!
While at the conference I took the opportunity to have an informal interview with Darrin, a lovely, unassuming young man.
Darrin told me that, although his software has over 11,000 users (and he gives the most amazing and responsive support to them) the development of TNG is his second job - he actually has a day job working for another software company.. I wonder if this young man ever sleeps.
Darrin ,who grew up in Massachusetts, now resides with his family in Utah. He studied Computer Science and Journalism in College. It was by accident that Darrin got involved in the development of TNG. He won a prize at the Comdex Show which led him to realise that there was a need for a program to post genealogy on the internet. He borrowed some books on PHP from the public library and developed his application. In his first year he sold just one copy online.
Now with 11,000 users, this software with a user friendly, clean interface, has an active online forum and mailing list that Darrin constantly monitors. He monitors, and when the tech experts among the user group cannot help other users, Darrin jumps in with advice. Darrin is continuing to develop his product that he also uses to publish his and his wife's genealogy research. In the pipeline is a project with another company's desktop application that will enable users of that product to post their trees to the web using TNG.
When he is not working Darrin enjoys hiking around the mountains near his home in Utah.
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| Darrin Lythgoe - TNG stand at Rootstech |
The developer, Darrin Lythgoe, tried to help with me the upgrade remotely but I gave up when I knew that Darrin was to have a stall at the Rootstech Conference that I would be attending. I caught up with Darrin at Rootstech where he logged into my web server and upgraded the software for me. What wonderful service when the upgrade only cost me around $14 Aussie dollars!
While at the conference I took the opportunity to have an informal interview with Darrin, a lovely, unassuming young man.
Darrin told me that, although his software has over 11,000 users (and he gives the most amazing and responsive support to them) the development of TNG is his second job - he actually has a day job working for another software company.. I wonder if this young man ever sleeps.
Darrin ,who grew up in Massachusetts, now resides with his family in Utah. He studied Computer Science and Journalism in College. It was by accident that Darrin got involved in the development of TNG. He won a prize at the Comdex Show which led him to realise that there was a need for a program to post genealogy on the internet. He borrowed some books on PHP from the public library and developed his application. In his first year he sold just one copy online.
Now with 11,000 users, this software with a user friendly, clean interface, has an active online forum and mailing list that Darrin constantly monitors. He monitors, and when the tech experts among the user group cannot help other users, Darrin jumps in with advice. Darrin is continuing to develop his product that he also uses to publish his and his wife's genealogy research. In the pipeline is a project with another company's desktop application that will enable users of that product to post their trees to the web using TNG.
When he is not working Darrin enjoys hiking around the mountains near his home in Utah.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Audrey Collins
Another foreign visitor to the Rootstech Conference with whom I shared a glass of wine was Audrey Collins, Family History specialist at The National Archives (TNA) at Kew. I first had a chat with Audrey at the evening function at the Planetarium where she told me of some of the changes that had been introduced at TNA to make it more user-friendly since my visit in the early 2000s. As I am planning another visit in July this year I was keen to hear about these innovations. I had a number of chats with Audrey over the next few days and must say that I enjoyed the open, friendly, down-to-earth nature of this VIP in the genealogy world. We didn't just talk about genealogy but about families, kids and travel, Audrey is a gifted and amusing storyteller.
Audrey's blog, The Family Recorder, where she writes about "that interest or amuse me, and that I think are worth sharing. They might be topical, or 'cold case', educational or trivial; the only rule is that they will have something to do with genealogy, is one of the favourites on my reading list.
While she was in Salt Lake City Audrey recorded a tutorial for the FamilySearch website and gave a talk at The Family Hisotry Library to library staff and the public. "Having heavily used FamilySearch resources free of charge for over 20 years, whenever I am in Salt Lake City I like to give something back."
POSTSCRIPT. Chris Paton of Scottish Genes has just posted to Youtube a video interview he made with Audrey at the WDYTYA Live event in the UK last week. I am posting the video here so you can see and hear Audrey.
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| Audrey Collins at The Planetarium |
Although she has no English ancestry Audrey is an expert in English genealogy. I discovered, when we were playing Jeopardy at Dinner with Dick after the conference, from one of her interjections that Audrey is actually a Scot.
Before she joined The National Archives (TNA) Audrey was a professional genealogist. She regularly records podcasts for TNA She has written a number of books on aspects of English genealogy, and contributed to several magazines.
Audrey's blog, The Family Recorder, where she writes about "that interest or amuse me, and that I think are worth sharing. They might be topical, or 'cold case', educational or trivial; the only rule is that they will have something to do with genealogy, is one of the favourites on my reading list.
POSTSCRIPT. Chris Paton of Scottish Genes has just posted to Youtube a video interview he made with Audrey at the WDYTYA Live event in the UK last week. I am posting the video here so you can see and hear Audrey.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Gentle Giant of Genealogy
One of the highlights of Rootstech was meeting up with my virtual GeniMates. Prior to arriving in Salt Lake City I was given some wonderful advice from one of my pals Geneabloggers founder, Thomas MacEntee.
During my time in Salt Lake City Thomas was most senstiive to the fact that I was a stranger in the midst of many GeniMates from the US and went out of his way to make me feel welcome. I loved being with Thomas with his sense of fun and his jokes and understand why he is so popular in the genealogy community.
Not only is Thomas a SNAG and a lot of fun, he is also a consumate professional as was evidenced in the two conference events I attended where Thomas was the moderator/facilitator in roundtable sessions. Thomas directed his troupes of professional genealogists ably as they discussed blogging and virtual presentations. The content of these sessions will be the subject of future posts on the Geniaus blog.
During the conference Thomas made the Media Hub his home away from home. He spent a busy few days there networking with colleagues and conference delegates, at each encounter he showed genuine interest in people giving them his full attention. Perhaps Thomas should give up on dead people as he has such a facility for communicating with the living!
"Hmmm I'm not sure if you'll need the thermal underwear . . . perhaps that's just a man's perspective. Are you going to be sightseeing in SLC? Otherwise if you will be going from the hotel to the Salt Palace and to the FHL, you might not need it. The forecast for that week will be 40F during the day" was just one of the helpful comments he posted on my blog.
My first real meeting with Thomas was in the bar of the Radisson Hotel where we enjoyed a cool ale. At that meeting Thomas decorated me with some genealogy bling ie red necklaces with heart-shaped beads. I earned two necklaces - one for each of my genealogy blogs. Thomas' neck was weighed down with many red strands.  |
| Hearts aplenty for MacEntee |
During my time in Salt Lake City Thomas was most senstiive to the fact that I was a stranger in the midst of many GeniMates from the US and went out of his way to make me feel welcome. I loved being with Thomas with his sense of fun and his jokes and understand why he is so popular in the genealogy community.
 |
| Thomas MacEntee - Moderator/Facilitator |
During the conference Thomas made the Media Hub his home away from home. He spent a busy few days there networking with colleagues and conference delegates, at each encounter he showed genuine interest in people giving them his full attention. Perhaps Thomas should give up on dead people as he has such a facility for communicating with the living!
Dan Lynch
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| Dan Lynch at Rootstech - Feb 2011 |
I had been in contact with Dan via Linkedin and Facebook and we arranged to catch up at the conference in Salt Lake City. Dan kindly agreed to tell me a little about himself. As I had heard Dan speak in Sydney I did not attend his sessions in Salt Lake City but I hear that they were well received by participants.
Dan is the first person to have completed a Genimates Profile .
GeniMates Profile - Dan Lynch
Date 11 February 2011 Hobbyist or Professional Genealogist Professional
Hometown Connecticut
What is your day job? Internet marketing plus involvement in family history space. Travelled a lot in 2010 doing lectures including a tour to Australia. Dan was away working on 22 weekends in 2010.
How long have you been chasing ancestors? Since 1977
How did you get hooked on genealogy? When he was 14 Dan watched Alex Haley’s Roots on TV. It really struck Dan as he watched the story of three generations. In the following springtime he went to the cemetery and started writing stuff down from headstones. He also went to a vital records office and wasn’t allowed in because he was in too young. He had to return in the company of an adult. That is what hooked him!
Areas of Expertise in Genealogy Technology, Good generalist
Genealogy Society and Group Memberships APG - Life Member, Connecticut Society of Genealogists - Life Member
Lands of your Ancestors Southern Italy, Ireland
What Family Names are you Researching? Orsadi, Lynch, Ditota
Who is your favourite ancestor? Why? His maternal grandmother because Dan knew and lived with her.
What genealogy software do you use to record your family tree? Dan has tried them all and cycles through them.
What are your other Hobbies, Activities and Interests? Daughters, golf and photography
What is your favourite lesiure time activity? Golf
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Claire Brisson-Banks
Claire Brisson-Banks was wearing a wide grin when I caught up with her at Rootstech. She happily posed for me with the first copy of her book,The Social Media Guide for Ancestral Research/Applying Web 2.0 Strategies, that had arrived by post during the conference. Claire, a genealogist who works in The Family History Library in Salt Lake City, lived in Australia for seven years. She and her Aussie husband now live in Utah.Claire maintains several genealogy blogs one of which is "Who will tell their stories?". Claire has followed the lead of other genealogists and has published her book through online publisher, Lulu, one of the publishers discussed in the Round-Table session on publishing at the conference. Instructions for ordering a copy of Claire's book can be found here at Lulu.
Monday, February 7, 2011
The First Post
My excitement is mounting as, in two days, I will take off for the Rootstech Conference in Salt Lake City where, as Geniaus, I am an official blogger.
I heard this morning that 1800 people have registered for the conference...that's a lot of genealogists and I want to meet many and find out about them. As I was sipping my coffee in bed this morning I recalled some books that were popular when I worked with kids. Called Authors and Illustrators Scrapbooks they had a page devoted to each sperson that provided a short bio and some personal information.
Following the model in these books 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 could post these profiles on the Geniaus blog but I'd like to give them their own home. I thought about putting up a website but blogging is so much easier so I decided to set up a new blog using a newly created Google account. I pondered about names for the blog: genipals, geniprofiles, genibods but decided using Mates in the title would add a bit of Australian flavour.
Once I have thought of the questions and headings for my proforma I will have it ready for Rootstech. Down the track I might make a soft copy available via this blog.
I don't want to make this too onerous so only promise one or two profiles per week, that is, if I can get anyone to take part. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
If you have any suggestions for this project please post a comment on this blog or email me at GeniMates@gmail.com.
I heard this morning that 1800 people have registered for the conference...that's a lot of genealogists and I want to meet many and find out about them. As I was sipping my coffee in bed this morning I recalled some books that were popular when I worked with kids. Called Authors and Illustrators Scrapbooks they had a page devoted to each sperson that provided a short bio and some personal information.
Following the model in these books 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 could post these profiles on the Geniaus blog but I'd like to give them their own home. I thought about putting up a website but blogging is so much easier so I decided to set up a new blog using a newly created Google account. I pondered about names for the blog: genipals, geniprofiles, genibods but decided using Mates in the title would add a bit of Australian flavour.
Once I have thought of the questions and headings for my proforma I will have it ready for Rootstech. Down the track I might make a soft copy available via this blog.
I don't want to make this too onerous so only promise one or two profiles per week, that is, if I can get anyone to take part. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
If you have any suggestions for this project please post a comment on this blog or email me at GeniMates@gmail.com.
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