Musings of a Mad Macedonian

JAMBOREE JOURNAL: Day 3, 1 Chair Plus 5 Hrs. Equals Sore Butt, Enlightened Mind

Welcome one and all to Part 5 of my adventures at the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree!

Part 1 is here, and an intro to me, and the Genealogy side of this blog, is here. ;-D

Sunday Morning...8am.

All bright-eyed, and bushy-tailed (Well, OK, maybe not, but at least I was, sort of, rested, and ready for the day), I headed off to my 1st session of the last day of Jamboree. ;-D

Except for the lunch break, and the final session, from 3 to 4pm, I claimed the same good seat, in the same room, for a series of sessions all day long.

I sat thru 2 entertaining sessions by the Genealogy Gemstress herself, Lisa Louise Cooke, on Google and Genealogy.

Before things got under way I told her that I looked forward to her talks as a way to supplement the new book, by David M. Lynch, Google Your Family Tree, which I had bought the day before.

After her first session, it was Lunch time, and I took one more stroll thru the Exhibition Room.

I made my final, most unusual, purchase of Jamboree (Other than the old Baedeker's Yugoslavia Travel Guide for $3, on Saturday.).

There they were, still sitting forlorn, and unclaimed, at mid-day Sunday, 18 old copies of the venerable Everton's Genealogical Helper Magazine, and I do mean old, at 25cents each.

I bought a sturdy green SoCal Genealogical Society Bag, and then the whole stack of magazines,as well, for it to carry.

Why? I hear you ask?

Why not?

The one constant I'd heard all weekend, backing up advice I've encountered online, in magazines, and a few books I already own, has been that you can learn from all sorts of sources, old, and new, and should take the opportunity, if something catches your interest, to do so.

I love history and, as a Genealogist, I still have so damn much to learn, and one thing I remember, from many years ago, when i first learned of Everton's, was that besides the articles the 2 most important resources for a Genealogist, to be found in each issue, were the queries found in the Computerized Roots Cellar, and the advertising.

While I won't be able to contact researchers, and  might not find a book of interest still in print, I can still  enjoy the articles.

When I returned to my seat I teased Lisa by saying that if we hadn't stopped for lunch I would not be lugging round a small green bag almost as heavy with stuff as my large red one! ;-D

JAMBOREE JOURNAL: The GeneaBlogger Dinner and How I Slept it Off

Welcome one and all to Part 4 of my adventures at the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree!

Part 1 is here, and an intro to me, and the Genealogy side of this blog, is here. ;-D

By the time everyone had arrived at The Daily Grill, adjoining the hotel, on Saturday evening, we had filled 3 long tables, and and 2 small ones.

For the next 2 1/2, almost 3 hours, we GeneaBloggers introduced ourselves to each other, and chatted, over a tasty meal, surrounded by the backround activity of snapping cameras filming it all for posterity.

Those who I sat next to, and they know who they are (In all the excitement I forgot to take notes to sort them all out!), gave me some good advice for unclogging my Brick Walls.

On Friday, and earlier on Saturday, I'd passed out quite a few of my "Business" Cards, and passed out more at the dinner, and on Sunday, collecting a few of my own along the way (In addition to people linked elsewhere in this series, I got info on Craig Manson, the GeneaBlogie, and cards from Cheryl Fleming Palmer, of the Heritage Happens, and Graveyard Rabbit of South Alameda County, Blogs, and Stephen Danko .)

At one point I found myself talking to Stephen Danko, and telling him how much I enjoyed his talk, that day, on Genealogy and the changing map of Eastern Europe.

Oh, and what did I and others chow down on (My Choices for Starter, and Entree, are in red.).

I know you must be desperate to know! ;-D

STARTERS: Caesar Salad, or Spicy Pecan, Gorgonzola and Endive Salad.

ENTREE: House Specialty - Charbroiled Skirt Steak marinated in Citrus Juices, Soy Sauce, and Special Seasonings, served with mashed potatoes, and Chefs Veggies (Some of the biggest damn pieces of Brocoli I've ever seen in my life, almost too beautiful to eat!)

Or, Grilled Shrimp Pomodoro tossed with Angel Hair Pasta, Chopped Fresh Tomato, Garlic, Basil, and Olive Oil.

DESERT for all: Apple Peach Cobbler to die for!!

I washed mine down with glasses of water and, interestingly, I don't think anyone else had alcohol either, that I know of (Which makes sense, as for most folks it's the antics of our ancestors, and the difficulty they cause us in our research, that threatens to sometimes drive us to drink, not the comraderie of our fellow researchers, hee, hee!)

After dinner I left to go catch a late bus, with the idea of riding around the county, and dozing on several busses, until 6am, when I returned to Jamboree.

I guess I didn't fully realize just how tired I was as I lugged my stuffed red bag, and gray file case, now joined by the Goody Bag from Thomas, to the bus stop.

I settled down to wait 45 min. for the bus...and promptly fell asleep. ;-D

I awoke just in time to watch my bus pull away from the curb.

Well, OK, not to worry, all was not lost!

With an hour to kill before the next bus, around 1230am, I went over to, yes, you guessed it, Del Taco (Again, I got a Coke.), and settled down to sort thru my stash, and wait...and fall asleep...again. ;-D

I awoke with 3 minutes to make it to the bus stop, a block away, and I hauled myself as fast as I could, but to no avail.

The bus pulled away, and I was stuck.

There was nothing for it but to improvise again and, using the Old Mad Macedonian Noodle, I came up with a brilliant plan, awesome in its sheer genius! ;-D

 

I went back with my Coke, to a table outside the Del Taco, and slept until 5am.

Then I went to the lobby of the hotel where I found a nice, comfy, couch, in  an out of the way corner, and slept the Sleep of the Just (Or is that ...the just plain nuts?), until 730am. (I found out, later in the day, that someone came very close to taking my picture on that couch, but changed their mind, hee, hee!)

Man, oh, man, I though as I awoke, has this been an exhilirating, yet exhausting, weekend, or what? ;-D

I can guarantee you that I had the weirdest sleeping arrangements of any attendee to Jamboree in its illustrious 40 year history! ;-D

(Stay tuned for Chapter 5!)

JAMBOREE JOURNAL: Day 2, Once More Unto the Brick Wall, Me Fellow Genealogists!

Welcome one and all to Part 3 of my adventures at the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree!

Part 1 is here, and an intro to me, and the Genealogy side of this blog, is here. ;-D

Saturday morning, and once more I'm wandering the exhibit room.

I'm there barely 5 min. when someone who has been reading my blog approaches me!

How cool is that? ;-D

I'd spent the previous day, and would spend this day, and the next, meeting in person people whose work online, and even in print, I've read, and some of whom I've even corresponded with by e-mail, blog comments, message boards Facebook, and Twitter, some as far back as a decade or more.

These are people whose work, opinion, and advice, I admire, respect, and value.

I was, and would be, thrilled, and honored and, at first, a bit nervous to be in their presense, yet would end up being welcomed, and accepted as one of them, a sort of "Comrade in Ahnentafel Tracking", or something , hee, hee! ;-D

Suddenly here was someone treating me with the same respect, and pleasure, of personal meeting, that I was showing others.

Sort of puts things in a different, and humbling, perspective.

After that ego boost I go, and buy 2 books that I passed up Friday, and then on over to the session, by Arlene Eakle, on finding lost records, and sources outside the library.

After that it was back to the exhibit room, where things could get a little surreal, and I don't mean just the way the photo appears. ;-D

You have a room full of people in search of their ancestors, or anything that can help in that quest, and many of them can't get away from the computer.

For those who didn't bring their laptops, cell phones, or huckleberries (Do I have the right berry? I don't use any of these devices!), there was the salvation of internet access in the Tech Zone where you could get online to do a quick blog, or tweet [#genealogy #scgs09 At Jamboree! Just saw (fill in the blank) pick his/her nose! Way cool!], and explore, for free, various subscription genealogy sites, for 30 minutes per person.

I purchased 2 books by the great William Dollarhide, which he autographed as he appeared to be doing for everyone, and which I though was very cool.

I then found  a half dozen copies of old KY and IN Genealogical Society magazines for 50 cents ea.

They may, or may not have info I can use as research resources, but they would give me insight  into state history, and how others fared in their research.

After a while I went in search of the PA Announcer to try to locate Thomas MacEntee, the GeneaBlogger, maestro of several fine blogger related activities going on over the weekend, who made sure each of his fellow Facebook GeneaBlogger Group members got a nifty Goody Bag.

It turned out that he was standing right next to the people I went to for help!

We chatted a bit, and he gave me a cool red, white, and blue beaded necklace to wear, thus identifying me as a fellow Facebook GeneaBlogger.

I would get my Goody Bag later, and it would have tasty muffins, and fruit, and a copy of the Roots Magic 4 program, which I couldn't eat, um, hee, hee! ;-D

My grateful thanks to all those who contributed to the contents of the bag!

I next headed off to get a seat for the 1st of 2 sessions on Eastern European Genealogy Research.

After sitting thru Dear Myrtles session on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Genealogists, and 1 by Bill Dollarhide, it was time to go to the Facebook Friends, and Tweet Meet, a 90 min. opportunity to meet people we may only know online, face to face, and I chatted with several folks, including, Kathryn Doyle, of the Ca. Genealogical and Historical Society Blog, whose husband is Greek.

She looked at the old letters I'd brought and confirmed they were not in Greek.

She advised me to try to contact a priest of a Bulgarian, or Serbian, Orthodox Church, to learn what language they were in, and maybe get a translation.

In a related matter, at some point  Saturday, or Sunday, I found myself at Arlene Eakles tables pouring over a couple of books with maps of the Macedonia, and its neighbors, including the regions of my Father, and his parents, and grandparents, showing the ever changing political  situation going back from 1930 to 1700.

There it was...set out in vivid detail, the complex nature of the political, cultural, and religious world of my ancestors.

The Greeks, the Serbs, the Croats, the Bulgarians, the Russians, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Turks, especially the Turks, all had their hands in the boiling pot that is Macedonia, and its sister regions that, eventually, would be reluctantly  held together, for a few decades, by the iron-fisted rule of Tito, after WW2.

Also, at some point, I encountered author, researcher, Jana Broglin, Vice President for Membership of the Federation of Genealogical Societies, who told me how to contact Pat Gooldy, of Ye Olde Genealogy Shoppe, a person who might be able to help me in my Indiana Research as I search for several important marriage records which would help solve several of my brick walls.

 

As the gathering wound down someone brought over a bottle of wine and, after a little joking around, I asked to hold the near empty bottle for a picture. ;-D

Soon it was time for the much anticipated GeneaBloggers Group Dinner, at the nearby Daily Grill, but that's a story for next time. ;-D

Read Part 4 here!

JAMBOREE JOURNAL: Day 1, Mad Macedonian Takes Genealogy Confab by Storm!

Welcome one and all to Part 2 of my adventures at the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree!

Part 1 is here, and an intro to me, and the Genealogy side of this blog, is here. ;-D

                                                                                    

I left home at 315am, Friday morning, home made badge around my neck, Nature Valley Bars, and Cheese Sticks, safely stashed away, and bags in hand, and walked a mile to catch the 1st of 3 busses, 2 commuter trains, and 1 more bus (Thank God for $5 Day Passes!), on a journey that would drop me off near the Marriott Hotel at around 8am.

Since I was not renting a hotel room for the weekend the transit was to serve as mobil sleeping quarters for the duration. ;-D

Don't panic!

I have never owned a car, and can make my way around 5 counties with ease.

Since I was 12 I've been using the bus, a bike, and my own 2 feet to go everywhere. ;-D

 

I had a bag for carrying any, and all, freebies I found interesting.

 

The 2nd carried my food stash, bus schedules, Jamboree schedule, writing supplies, a couple of family tree reports, and copies of 27 year old letters to my Dad, from the Old Country.

I didn't think that my first genealogical moment of the day would come at 4am. ;-D

I told the bus driver where I was headed, at that ungodly hour, and why, and a young man sitting nearby perked up, and told me his Father had researched his family back to the 5th Century.

OK, everyone, repeat after me..."Oh, really?" ;-D

When I asked him how Dear Ol' Dad had managed that feat when widespread Printing, and record keeping, didn't truly take off until Guttenberg and his printing press, he mumbled something about Pops going to the LDS Library in Salt Lake, and to Europe.

I had to get off the bus so couldn't follow-up.

Arriving in Burbank I settle in at the Del Taco to read the paper, and wash some of my snacks down with a coke.

I had only planned to attend 11 sessions over the 3 days, but reconsidered as soon as I arrived.

On opening day registration was not until noon, but I didn't  think I was wrong in arriving early.

Better to be safe than sorry, and who knew who I would run into as I made myself familiar with the lay of the land at the hotel, and convention center, across from Bob Hope Airport.

When I finally got to the hotel I took the opportunity to sit in on a wonderful 2 hour, Pre-convention, session on Advanced Beginner Genealogy, by Lynne Parmenter, of the Southern California Genealogical Society.

I took 8 pages of notes during her talk.

During the mid-point break I unexpectedly found myself on TV, as someone from Roots Television interviewed me about my interest in Genealogy, and the Jamboree, as part of their preparing to promote next years event.

Only afterward did I realize that I forgot to mention my blog name and URL! ;-D

After the session I went to registration, and got my copy of the Syllabus, and official name tag.

As I approached a table to sit down a minute, I overheard 2 women talking graveyards.

Yeah, yeah, I know...creepy!

To the unitiated, maybe, but to genealogists, and especially that special breed known as "Graveyard Rabbits", such chit chat is perfectly normal. ;-D

That's how I met Susan Kitchens, of the blog Family Oral History Using Digital Tools , and Schelly Talalay Dardashti, of Tracing the Tribe: The Jewish Genealogy Blog! ;-D

We sat together, and chatted, and Susan showed me how to spiff up my official name tag by writing BLOGGER, and my URL, on a piece of paper, and attatching  it for all to see.

Finally we all went our seperate ways as the first official sessions were about to begin.

JAMBOREE JOURNAL: Southern California Genealogy Jamboree 40, The Song?

 

Exhausting, exciting, educational, empowering, these are just a few words that come to mind when describing the experience that is the 3 day Family Gathering known as the world famous Southern California Genealogy Jamboree.

Unofficial, and Official (The one with the 1st Timer, and Southern Ca. Genealogical Society New Member Ribbons!) Badges, in place, GeneaBlogger Beads around my neck, the above photo is from Day 3, and the following poem is my attempt to capture the spirit of this wonderful weekend as I begin to write about my experience.

Just sit right back and read a tale
A tale of a research trip
That started out from Santa Ana town,
aboard a transit bus.
The Mad Macedonian was a budding Genealogist,
His demeanor brave, though unsure,
As he set off that day,
For a weekend adventure,
A weekend adventure.

For 3 days he just couldn't get enough
Despite almost getting lost.
If not for the knowledge of the Convention Crew
Our hero would have been lost,
Our hero would have been lost.

Walking around the exhibit hall
He mingled with Newbies, and Old Timers,
and many GeneaBloggers, too,
A Genealogy Gem, and her guest,
Merchandise sellers, and Research Stars, like Arlene,
Here among the Aisles.

So this is the tale of a Convention Newbie,
Here for a long weekend.
He'll have to make the best of things,
When it comes to his sleeping time.
The Convention Volunteers, and Speakers, too,
Will do their very best to make folks comfy,
And educate each, and every single guest.
No cell phones, no taping, from near or far,
At some sessions a seat was a luxury,
Like a Pesidential Press Conference,
It's as crowded as can be.

Join me here, in coming days, my friends,
You are sure to get a smile, I'll see,
From the tale, as he makes his way,
Here at the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree!

I did not know what to expect, knowing that I would be in unfamiliar territory, among many folks whose knowledge, and experience, in this hobby makes my limited knowledge, and efforts of the last 20 years, insignificant in comparison, and meeting up with my fellow GeneaBloggers, from an Online Genealogy Blogging Community that, I have been learning the last 3 months, is far larger than I ever knew.

I had not planned on buying any books, and brought cheese sticks, and Nature Valley Bars, to eat, as my biggest expence was going to be a very Special Dinner Gathering on the 2nd day.

I did not expect any help on my specific Brick Walls, although I brought some printouts, and scanned images, just in case.

What happened on this adventure was special, and I invite you to come along with me as I share the tale.

***SONG GUEST STARS***

Lisa Louise Cooke = Genealogy Gem.

Randy Seaver = The "Guest".

Arlene Eakle =Arlene.

**************************

Read Part 2!

Welcome Southern California Genealogy Jamboree Visitors! Let Me Introduce Myself!

 

Shovel in hand, about to eagerly set off on a grand adventure, did you ever stop to ponder the why, where, what and how comes?

Why are you doing this?

Why now and not before?

How come you didn't think to commit all the family stories to paper, tape, or video until nearly everyone was dead?

What led Auntie G to disappear and where did she end up?

What was the reason Grandpa's killer got off the hook and where can you find the records?

Where in the Sam Hill is everyone buried?

Where's my sanity for even attempting this enormous undertaking?

Well, let's NOT delve into that last one, heh, heh. :-D

Welcome, attendees of the 40th Annual Southern California Genealogy Jamboree, and any other interested parties, related to me or not, to the Blog Home of the Maceyugoserbulgarigreekadonian Compound and Research Facility, USA!!! ;-D

Let me introduce myself!

THE COMING OF THE MAD MACEDONIAN - A 3 part story.

And let me, um, introduce myself again! ;-D

I am a 1st generation Macedonian-American whose Father, Gorge Kundurdziev, immigrated from Yugoslavia (Roots in Macedonia and Bulgaria) in 1951, and whose Mother was born in Kentucky, with roots in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and maybe even Texas, among other places, thru Wells, Daugherty, Frazie/Fraze, Tanner, and other Surnames, back to the early 18th Century (Wells is the only one I have clues to about this fact.), and maybe beyond.

I was born in Pomona, Los Angeles County, CA., and have lived, and worked, in CA. all my life, getting a college degree, then building a 17 yr. career with an Independant Bookstore Chain that is no longer in business, working 2 yrs. for Target, and the last 5 yrs. as a Directory Assistance Operator (Do you Call 411 on your Cell Phone?).

I have been a Blogger since 2002, and this is my current personal blog, started in 2007 (The 1st was retired after 5 years, and I have a 6 yr. old Bike Blog.)

This blog is my home for more than just my Genealogy  Research, and Genealogy Blogging.

I am a writer, poet, and opinionated commentator, with many interests, and a peculiar sense of humor.

Oh, and I have a Cat, named Nikita, who is my Co-Blogger. ;-D

My interest in Genealogy began almost too late, in the late 1980's (I still consider myself pretty much a Novice), and I've shared a 2 part story called How I Became the Family Genealogist.

I have an official copy of my Birth Certificate. ;-D

A couple of items of note:

1. The Official filing date is April 1, 1960.

2. Someone, possibly my Sainted  Ma since she signed the document, put the country of birth for my Father down as GREECE.

I always knew I liked APRIL FOOLS DAY for a reason. ;-D

It is possible, based on the towns location, that in 1923 it was part of GREECE, but I think it was more likely Bulgaria, and will look into it more. ;-D

In addition to writing about my research (With Pictures), and about other blogs, websites, and genealogy stories in the news, I've written Poetry, humor, and writing prompts of a genealogical nature. ;-D

You will also notice several Genealogy Themed Blogrolls (Including many Genealoggers!), as well as a blogroll full of links useful to writers, and poets, which I encourage anyone writng about their Family History, whether on a blog, website, or in a book, to explore.

Writing Prompt: Where I'm From.

GENEALOGY!: Ditties Inspired By Burma Shave Signs

Poetry: The Immigrant: A Tribute to My Father

Song: Give Genealogy a Chance!

Famous Ancestor on the Macedonian side of the Family: Ancestor of Mine Dug Up by Greek Archaeologists! ;-D

Famous Ancestor on my American side: Maternal Colonial Ancestor Claimed Three, Linguistic, Versions of Declaration of Independence Printed. ;-D

On DNA Research: National Academy for the Study of UFOs Confirms Existence of UFO Chromosome in Humans ;-D

In my sidebar you will see that I also welcome advertising thru Google, and BlogAds, if you are looking for ways to advertise your Genealogy related websites, and merchandise.

In my Archive of Genealogy Posts I've written about the How and Why of my becoming the Family Roots Digger-upper, and shared some of my poetry, family history, roadblocks, and success stories, including pictures and I encourage you to visit those posts, and offer comments, as well as send me links to Genealogy Websites you might think I'd be interested in.

 

Preparing For the SoCal Genealogy Jamboree

This morning I have begun preparations for the 3 day adventure that will be attending the 40th Annual Southern California Genealogy Jamboree, in Burbank, Ca.

I have no clue how much sleep I will get! (That's what the Busses will be used for!) ;-D

I made a badge using my new "Business" Card for publicizing my Blog, a list of my Surnames, and some humor (Poor, Poorer, Middle-Class and Rich? Honest, Crooked, or Just Plain Foolish? Famous or Not?). ;-D

I will get home from work tonite at 1230am, but will have to leave home, in Santa Ana, at 3am, to catch the 1st of 4 busses that will take me to Anaheim, Los Angeles, and finally, Burbank, getting me there by 830am.

Each night, I will make the return trip home, to drop stuff off, and check on Nikita, and maybe do a blog post.

For anyone looking aghast at this...Don't freak out! ;-D

I have never owned a car, and all my life I have used Mass Transit, my bicycle, and my own 2 feet to get around 5 counties. ;-D

 

My Swag Carrier!!!

Sturdy, large, and roomy, this sucker will no doubt be the envy of all who see the little darling! ;-D

I will have a box of paper clips to help with organization. ;-D

 

Stuff Carrier!

In this portable file carrier I will have MY Pedigree Chart, going back 7 Generations to William Wells of PA., His Descendant Chart, and the Descendant Charts for William Preston Daugherty, and Tome Kundurdziev, plus 6 Note Pads for recording observations, and note taling at all the sessions I will attend.

It will also hold my Bus Schedules, and  Schedule of Sessions I will attend.

I will have my camera, and batteries, and pens a plenty, plus 500 Business Cards to pass out as the opportunity presents itself.

I am very much looking forward to attending, and to meeting not just my fellow Roots Bloggers, but some of the famous researchers whose books, and websites I use and admire, and link to.

My next task is to write an intro post to folks visitng here, from Jamboree (Link to come).

The Challenge of Kentucky Genealogy Getting U Down? New Blog Joins the Fray!

I was overjoyed to learn, today, of a new blog by the great Arlene Eakle, that aims to help all us folks with Ancestors from Kaintuck discover our roots. ;-D

Her initial post is truly an eye-opener in what it covers:

This brief description, at the end of it, barely does the post, and her ambitious goals for the blog, justice.

This Kentucky blog will address all of these research concerns and apply their solutions to actual pedigrees.  This is not a blog for the faint-hearted.  Nor for a quick and easy answer.  This blog will consider hard-core  genealogy research on pedigrees that have been stopped dead for years.

At last, there will be some answers based on actual research experience–not text-book reviews–although there will be many of those for you to look at.

Read: Kentucky is a Major Genealogical Research Challenge!

Her second post addresses some important themes while discussing the mother of Abraham Lincoln:

Too many genealogies are compiled without enough thorough research into family and home sources.  We pay lip service to the importance of this evidence, we make inquiries among those relatives we know, then we spend the rest of our time searching public records, trying to make the data fit what we think is true.  If we expended some effort to track down relatives unknown to us, who also have family resources and knowledge to share, we could resolve a lot of the missing data on our pedigrees.  And we could gather the documentation to prove the lineages.

Read: I, Too, Am A Kentuckian…

Visit the blog at I, Too, Am a Kentuckian

After the Jamboree I am planning to set up a seperate blogroll of some links to Genealogy sites, and GeneaBlogs related to KY, IN, PA, and, other states my US Ancestors set down roots in, and her blog will join this list.

I have many Brick Walls, and an eagerness to break them down, and to learn more about my roots, and life in their neck of the US woods, during their lifetimes. 

SoCal Jamboree Blog Great Way to Keep Up with Events, Participants, and Discover Resources

Word is that 43% of those attending the Southern California Genealogical Jamboree, this weekend, are, like me, First-timers, while there are actually a handfull who just can't seem to get enough, and have been 30 times! ;-D 

In May, and the weeks of June leading up to this weekend the Jamboree Blog has been doing stellar work, and some of my favorite posts are listed below:

Getting the Most out of a Genealogy Conference: A valuable series, packed with advice usefull for all such conferences.

1. MEET THE SPEAKER: Too numerous to link, but each post describes the speaker, their book, website, and podcast, if any, information.

2. EXHIBITOR PROFILES: Too numerous to link all of them, but each post is full of information about the exhibitor, and links to their websites.

3. Exhibitor Profile: New England Historic Genealogical Society - This post has a nice 8 min. video on the subject of... Genealogy Today: Tracing your Heritage

4. David Rencher named Chief Genealogical Officer of Family History Department - FamilySearch

5. Genealogy Gems Podcast: Spotlight on Blogger Summit - I'll be attending a Dinner Gathering of over 30 Roots Bloggers on Saturday night, so this is a cool story. ;-D

6. History Detectives - A Sample Episode of the popular PBS Series! (UPDATE! You can catch last year's episodes online here.)

7. "At Home With Your Ancestors"  - Interested in your British Roots? This post has a link to a FREE eBook titled "At Home With Your Ancestors". 

8. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IF... How would you answer these questions if they were asked by someone who had not yet jumped into the genealogy pool?

These initial questions, and others in the final Press Release, will provide me with food for thought for possible future Blog Posts about why I am engaged in Digging Up Roots in the Family Garden.

9. Family Tree Magazine Top 101 Websites

10.  Arlene Eakle's New Kentucky Blog Launches. Cool! As someone with KY. and IN. Roots I will be checking this one out, and adding it to my sidebar.

11. Introduction to Footnote.com, and a link to take a tour of the site.

12. Heritage Makers and the art of Storybooking: A cool video!

Check out the Jamboree Blog for more in coming days!

For Genealogists Some Shoes That Don't Fit, and Other Things, are Worth Keeping

 

Conjuring up cherished Family Heirlooms out of whole cloth...

 

shoes that have long ceased to fit, ...

 

Silver Spoons that your  parents used to put in your mouth...

 

Make for rattling good stories to tell as you display your treasured booty for friends and family. ;-D

My Mother was a dedicated maker of needlepoint, and crochet, and she made this Last Supper Scene sometime in the 1970's.

The Bootie, the 2 pairs of shoes, the spoons, and the rattle, are all mine, and at least 50 years old. ;-D

On the bottom of 1 of the white pair my Mom had written, probably about 1970, the names of my sisters and I, an indication that that pair, at least, was worn by all of us, in 1960 (Me!), 1965, and 1968.

On the inside of the other pair is a manufacturers stamp that identifies the shoes as Mrs. Day's Ideal - Intermediate.

The spoon on the left is labeled as a Gerber Silver Plate, and has 2 other markings I can't read.

The spoon on the right is labeled as Oneidacraft Deluxe Stainless.

1 Week to Genealogy Jamboree! Attending 11 Sessions and Meeting Other GeneaBloggers

As previously mentioned I will attend the 40th Annual Southern California Genealogy Jamboree, in Burbank Ca., next weekend.

"This year's Jamboree will offer an unprecedented 55 speakers and nearly 100 lectures, a full exhibit hall, and lots of special events and activities," according to Paula Hinkel, Jamboree co-chair.  "Jamboree has earned the reputation for being fun, well organized, with exceptional speakers and vendors.  This year will be all that and more."

The exhibit hall will host software and online database companies, vendors, societies, heritage and lineage groups, authors, and book sellers. Some exhibitors feature services including photo restoration, book repair, and production of beautiful pedigree charts and maps."

The Jamboree Website is here, and the Official blog is here.

I will be attending all 3 days to kick off my 11 day summer vacation, and I know of more than 30 other Genealogy Bloggers who will be there. ;-D

Over the 3 days I will be attending 11 Classes/Seminars inbetween checking out the Exhibitors.

The Seminars are as follows:

1. Legacy Family Tree.

2. Ports of our Past: A Guide to US Ports, and Records.

3. Putting Flesh on the Bones.

4. Genealogy and the Changing Map of Eastern Europe.

5. Seven Habits of Highly Effective Geanealogists (Presented by Dear Myrtle herself!).

6. The Best Digital Documents Sites on the Internet.

7. Facebook Friends Gathering.

8. Using the Ancestry and Rootsweb Community to Enhance Your Research.

9. and 10. Google: A Goldmine of Genealogy Gems Part 1 and Part 2.

11. Demystifying Eastern European Research.

I will also join more than 30 GeneaBloggers for Dinner one night.

It will be a wonderful opportunity to meet, and get to know, in person, fellow researchers, including some I've met through this blog, Facebook, Twitter, and the Roots-L Lists at Rootsweb, over the last few months. ;-D

The New Star Trek Film 4: What an Amazing Thrill Ride of a Story!

For late comers the series begins here...

As the story unfolds  we are introduced to characters we thought we knew, for the 1st time, as they are introduced to each other, and yet they retain much about them that is cherished, and familiar.

As the story unfolds we encounter characters, and situations, that are homages to the trek Tv shows of the past: Spocks parents, Captain Pike, and Orion Woman, the Kobayashi Maru, a reminder of a beloved patron of the bar on DS9, Jimmy Doohan's son in the Engine Room, and probably more I couldn't spot, or just didn't notice, in all the excitement (Anyone actually spot the Tribble they say was in the film?)

Forget everyhting you thought your knew about the characters, main ones, or minor as, right off the bat, the rules have been changed, and not everything will come to pass as we remember it because our beloved characters will not entirely become their once, and future, selves (Yes, yes, I know, Janice Rand was absent, and Nurse Christine Chapel is only referenced by someone calling out for her in the midst of events in Sick Bay, but while I'd like to see a new Rand, maybe a new Chapel might not be such a good idea under the new romantice circumstances, if ya get my drift, hee, hee!).

We are thrown  straight into the crucible right off the bat, no loving ship caress by camera, no camping trip, or wedding ceremony among friends, but mystery, menace, bloodshed, sacrifice, and birth...

in other words, the stuff from which legends are made.

We are introduced to a Classic Series Star Trek crew, and ship, familiar, yet different, if only because the colorful uniforms are made of a better quality material, and the ship has only 1 nacel.

In a series of defining backround set pieces we are introduced to Kirk, Spock, Uhura, Pike, Bones, and Spocks parents.

It's good to see that Iowa still has wide-open spaces centuries from now, hee, hee!

The bar scenes are iconic in not just how they help define the personality of the rebelious young kirk, but for its tribute to the character of Morn, from DS9.

I hadn't stop smiling since the 1st Kirk moment of the film, but this sequence made me laugh in joyful recognition. ;-D

While the Uhura we meet here begins the fleshing out, and redefining, of her character, it is in Pike where we truly begin to grasp the change that is to come.

No wheelchair, no longtime captaincy of the Enterprise, or longtime relationship with Spock, this is a bold new take on a character we knew little about before.

Meanwhile, on Vulcan, we witness every average American school kids worst nightmare of a classroom environment, and a young Spock trying to come to grips with his dual DNA.

The questions he asks, the attitudes of his peers, and elders, his relationship with his parents, and the choice he makes, are a fine introduction to his character.

A lot has been debated, in some quarters, about the ship under construction that Kirk sees when he makes his decision to enlist...

I believe that it is not the Enterprise, but just a foreshadowing of what could be in this young mans future.

The McCoy intro was the 2nd time I laughed in joyful recognition, it was so dead on perfect. ;-D

The San Francisco, and Star Fleet Academy we glimpse are familiar, yet different from what little we saw before, and in these scenes Kirk, Spock, Uhura, and McCoy are fleshed out in various degrees of detail as we are introduced to Kirk the, um, cocky lothario, Kirk the rebel who doesn't  believe in No Win Scenarios, a growing Kirk/McCoy friendship, and a Spock who, while no longer a decade or more older than Kirk, is still olders, out of the Academy, and now higher ranking than Kirk.

When Kiril told Pike he intended to to get thru the Academy in 3 years. I don't think the events that soon ensue were what he had in mind by way of accomplishing this feat but, be that as it may, off we go into the wild blue, um, I mean into the deep, dark, vastness of Federation Space, to save Vulcans ass...

Well, at least that was the plan, anyway! ;-D

As the Enterprise prepares for action we witness a surprising relationship begin to reveal itself, and the 1st of a series of comic set pieces, from 1 that gets Kirk aboard ship, and to the bridge, to ones that  serve to nicely  introduce us  to Chekov, and Sulu, in familiar ways that make us laugh in recognition.

The New Star Trek Film 3: Boldly Going Where No Trek Film Has Gone Before

Man, alive, has it been a month since the new Star Trek Film debuted?

A month since I wrote my Preview, and the 2nd part in a series of posts that I'd planned to finish long before now?

I had planned on posting my review a week after the film, but got so wrapped up in writing my thoughts that things took on a life of their own, and  I wrote so much, even before getting to a discussion of the performances, and effects, that I was so exhausted that I set the review aside for a few days.

Then I got pre-occupied with other things, including my Genealogy.

In the next 2 chapters I want to share all that I had written of my review, a month ago, and prepare to do the final chapter in the coming days.

So let me continue where I left off in my last post...

My mind is a jumble of thoughts, and feelings, most of them emotional, as I try to put my opinion on paper in preperation for sharing it online.

There were several emotional moments, through the film, where my feelings were stirred, but when the crew took the helm that last time, as leonard Nimoy spoke those immortal words for, yes, the "1st time", and those immortal musical notes poured forth for the "1st time" as well, for a new generation  to thrill to, as all of us  from the original gnerations have done...I lost it.

I could contain my emotions no longer and the tears poured forth, unstoppable.

They were tears of excitement, and joy.

Excitement at the power of the complex story that was the re-imagining of the origins of an old, and very dear friend.

Amazement at the effects, old and new.

Joy at the fact that they got it all so damn right, in every way I could hope for.

I am writing this as I sit in the lobby of the theatre 20 minutes after seeing the film in Imax, awaiting the time to go see it on the regular screen, and the tears are welling up again just thinking about what I've just seen.

Beautiful, Simply Beautiful...Right now I'm incapable of writing more....

A few hours later the writing continues...

The 2nd time around was only slightly less powerful an experience as the 1st...at least I shed no tears at the end this time.

That's not to say I didn't come close. ;-D

I am sitting at a table outside a Food Court, at the Irvine Spectrum, as my thoughts return to my original question: Where the hell do I begin?

Let me start with the Official Prequel to the film...the Graphic Novel called Countdown, which sets the stage for the events of the film:

Spock, long a resident, hidden, then openly, of the home planet of the Romulan Empire, warns the High Council of an impending danger only to have them call his warning preposterous, despite the support he has from a simple miner named Nero, and his crew, whose knowledge supports his call for action.

There are several things about the book that bear directly on how much you, as viewer of the film, and especially if you are a long time Trekker, want to enhance your understanding of the plot machinations.

Carnival of the Cats #274

Lick...Lick...Lick...Lick...Lick...Lick...Lick...

Gotta get ready, Gotta get ready!

Nibble...Nibble...Lick...Lick...Nibble...Swallow...

Ewww, Gross!

Nibble...Nibble...Lick...Lick...Lick...

Almost done! Just a little bit mo

Oh, um, Hi!!

Um, geez, how embarrassing!

Sorry, but a guy has got to look his best for the Carnival, and I was running late.

The ladies in the audience understand completely, I'm sure. ;-D

Anywayyyy...

The Carnival of the Cats is a weekly roundup of cat-related posts on weblogs, in America, and around the world, who choose to submit a post for inclusion.

For us Cat Bloggers the Carnival is a chance to discover blogs we might never have heard of, on subjects of all kinds, and you can learn more about the carnival, and how to participate, here.

Before we begin...let us all join Mog, and Meowza, in a moment of silence, and say a prayer, for their pal Cece who recently went to Rainbow Bridge...Memorium, in words, and pictures, What happened #1, and What happened #2.......................

Ok, Let's get this show on the road!

I have not been blogging a lot, since April, but I hope to do so more often in the future.

Part of the reason is that Daddy has been horning in on my Computer Time with his Genealogy Research!

When he's not, I'm not interested in Blogging because I'm more interested in napping. ;-D

Anyway...here are my most recent posts, including 2 songs, and the latest entry, inspired by Daddy and his Genealogy Research, yesterday:

Undercat! Protector of Pussydom Assembled!

Hiss! I Had None (Don't worry, Daddy treats me right!)

10 Reasons a Cat Should Get a Belly Rub!

Cat Genealogy: Prowling Past in Purrsuit of Pussy Paternity

Now, on to the Main Event!

1. Alex, of Home Life Weekly, sets out to tell your Human, in an easy to understand way (Including a wonderful photo!), How to make Flea Powder.

2. ****WARNING*** Disturbing content...in the form of extreme cruelty to a Cat, a Dog, and a Goldfish, are discussed. Read at your own discression. ***END WARNING***

THAT being said...As readers of this blog know I do not shy away from controversial, and disturbing, subject matter, when it comes to us Felines, our welfare, and treatment (Remember my report on Cats as Dinner Table fare around the world?), and it is for that reason that I encourage you to read this report, and commentary by Nandita, of Cold Snapdragon, on the subject of "Torture as Art, Hate Mail, and Privacy."

In reporting on the treatment she discusses how the person involved with the Cat eventually responded to the reactions to her dastardly deed.

She writes:

People who don't get why that isn't acceptable to do such things are unlikely to have enlightenment dawn simply because they're told that it isn't OK or because such legal enactments as the (Dutch) Health and Well-being Act for Animals exist. And the trouble is that there really doesn't seem to be a shortage of people who engage in torture masquerading as art....................

What's creating a stir in legal circles is that she's not only published the mail itself but that she's also published information about its senders.

Read: Torture as Art, Hate Mail, and Privacy.

3. Elisson, of Blog d'Elisson, shares a couple of delightful, and touching, photos of a Canine Mr. Mommy, and the 2 kittens he has taken a shine to.

Ok, everyone, repeat after me! AWWWWWW, how cuuute! ;-D

Thunder and Lightening.

4. We Cats like good stuff to make living good, don't we? Damn right we do! ;-D

Well, Jordan, of Guffly, thinks that some Cats might take a shine to these eco-friendly and fair trade lifestyle Cat Scratch Pads.

Wonder how much they paid the Kitty in the picture to pose, or how long it took for them to wait until the Kitty took notice of their product? ;-D 

5. Jams O 'Donnell, of The Poor Mouth, share a beautiful close-up of Robyn getting a Chin Rub. ;-D

6. - 8. For a moment this next submitter had me wondering if they were unclear on the concept of what a Cat Carnival is all about...CATS...KITTY spells CAT. ;-D

2 of the 6 submissions by The Pets Central Website were about Dogs!!! What the ??? ;-D

1 other submission I won't post because...

A. Every Human has their own notions about which Cat Breeds are the Most Lovable.

B. Every Cat, and I mean EVERY CAT, thinks he, or she, is the Most Lovable.

Anyway, Lovable Ol' Nikita decided that the other 3 submissions made for worthwhile reading:

Dealing With Obesity In Cats, Dealing With Hyperactivity In Kittens, and How To Develop Strong Bond With Cats?

The only thing I take strong issue with, in the last entry, is the following un-educated statement:

Talk to your cat, I know it sounds weird but cats are very sensitive. They can’t understand what you are saying but they will sense that you are relaxed and enjoying their company.

There are several things that are factually inacurate, and make one wonder just where in the hell these folks are getting their information, and why would they want to disseminate it on their site?

1. We Cats ARE very sensitive. Nothing "Weird" about it.

2. We can't understand human speech??? If you believe THAT then why in tarnation are you advising your readers to TALK to us? Ceiling Cat on the Cat Tree! I swear, sometimes I wonder about Humans. ;-D

Look, we not only understand every word you say... we reply. It's not our fault that some Humans are un-educated Dolts, and never learned our language.

Not only do we understand you, but we Blog, and Tweet, and even have Facebook Pages, like you do as well. ;-D

If some of us were allowed anywhere near a Cell Phone we would be on the damn thing all day long, just like some humans. ;-D

Cat Genealogy: Prowling Past in Purrsuit of Pussy Paternity

Hello, Nikita here!

For weeks now Daddy has been digging into my computer time with his genealogy activities, but my feelings about this were easily taken care of with a simple bribe.

What can I say?

I love belly rubs, so sue me! ;-D

But Daddy couldn't hog the Computer forever!

I have to host the latest Carnival of the Cats tomorrow, afterall. ;-D

So what is this thing called Genealogy?

For all you Cats who don't know I did some research!

According to the Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary this is the definition:

1. An Account of the descent of a person, family, or group from an ancestor or from older forms.

2. Regular descent of a person, family, or group of organisms from a progenitor or older form.

3. An account of the origin and historical developement of something.

According to The Oxford Dictionary of Word Histories "Genealogy" has "Middle English" origins: "This came via Old French and late Latin, from the Greek word "Genealogia", from genea 'race, generation' and -logia 'speaking, discourse'.

This all got me to thinking...Cats...that means me, you dear reader, the stray in the alley down the street...we are all organisms.

A "Something" that developed over centuries, from a much, much earlier "Something".

So I went Googling!

I did a search for "Cat Genealogy", and came up with some interesting stuff. ;-D

I Love Target, Too, But...

Contrary to popular opinion Restraint IS NOT a 4-letter word!

The Editor of the wonderful blog Slave to Target went to Target, recently, with the sincere intent of only purchasing 2, count 'em, 2 items!

Clearly, someone has to work on their math skills. ;-D

Oh, and Ladies....if you simply MUST, there's a Red Cart Romance Thong pictured in the sidebar. ;-D

I wonder if there are any guys, out there, eagerly awaiting a Red Cart Romance JOCK STRAP? ;-D

I worked as a Target Cashier for 2 years before I became a Directory Assistance Operator in 2004, and had an interesting time doing it. ;-D

I 1st discovered this blog in 2006, and check in with it from time to time, still.