Society Saturday - Happenings in APRIL

Editor's note: Today's post was written by Sandra Gardner-Benward

April is (almost) here and we (Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society) have a lot planned 

Mark your calendars now and don't miss out on the fun

Thursday, April 3

Root Cellar Board Meeting - members welcome!

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Sylvan Community Center, 7521 Community Drive, Citrus Heights

Thursday April 3 Legacy Family Tree software Special Interest Group (SIG) 1pm - 3pm with Marian Kile (first Thursday of Month) Family History Center, 2745 Eastern Ave, Sacramento, CA 95662

Saturday, April 5 Annual Spring Seminar- sorry you must be registered, no walk in's, no registration at the door 9:00 am to 3:45 pm Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church, 11427 Fair Oaks Blvd., Fair Oaks, California Legacy Family Tree Guest speaker Geoff Rasmussen, Legacy Family Tree Genealogy Software and host of Legacy Family Tree Webinars. TOPICS: * Timelines and Chronologies: Secrets of Genealogical Success * Googling Around with Google and Other Fun Technology * The Latest in Digital Imaging for Genealogists * What's New in Legacy 8     Thursday, April 10 Root Cellar Membership Meeting 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm Christ Community Church, 5025 Manzanita Avenue, Carmichael 6:15 to 7:00 PM 6:15 Pre-meeting open discussion – Each table will be dedicated to several U.S. states. Share tips, information, problems and solutions with people researching in the same region. 7:00 to 8:30 PM “Practical Tips for Planning an On-Site Research Trip” Presented by Pam Brett. Pam Brett has been interested in genealogy for nearly forty years since she began filling in the family tree of her first-born child's baby book. Raising two daughters and working as a public health social worker left little free time until 1999 when she began her family research in earnest. Brett's ancestors were mobile which led to research in thirty-one states and the District of Columbia. She loves doing on-site research in the States "where there are many challenges but the rewards are priceless."

Friday, April 11
Root Cellar SGS Extractions
Center for Sacramento History
551 Sequoia Pacific Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95811
9AM - Noon - extra hands are always welcome.
 Contact: Marilyn Ulbricht

Alot going on with this committee. But we can always use more help. You know those records that you are looking for in another state, we'll as we are extracting those same records here, we hope someone in another state is doing the same. You can see why it is important to join in, it is not difficult, hand writting might be a challenge, but there is lots of support to help you. Find out if you would like to do this.

Wednesday, April 16

Root Cellar Workshop

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Sylvan Community Center, 7521 Community Drive, Citrus Heights

Learn research tips. Share your successful finds and brickwalls. The session may include a webinar or a demo of a research tool. Guests welcome

Friday, April 18 Root Cellar SGS Extraction AM Center for Sacramento History Sacramento, CA 9AM - Noon - extra hands are always welcome.  Contact: Marilyn Ulbricht Alot going on with this committee. But we can always use more help. You know those records that you are looking for in another state, we'll as we are extracting those same records here, we hope someone in another state is doing the same. You can see why it is important to join in, it is not difficult, hand writting might be a challenge, but there is lots of support to help you. Find out if you would like to do this.   Wednesday, April 23 Reunion for the Mac Special Interest Group (Special Interest Groups) 10:30 am to 12:30 pm FamilySearch Library, 2745 Eastern Avenue, Sacramento Brainstorm solutions to users' problems, questions & explore ins/outs of the best Mac genealogy program. Contact Ron Setzer (PreservesEditor@rootcellar.org) to be added to our email list. All are welcome.

Friday, April 25
Root Cellar SGS Extraction AM
Center for Sacramento History
Sacramento, CA
9AM - Noon - extra hands are always welcome.
Contact: Marilyn Ulbricht

Alot going on with this committee. But we can always use more help. You know those records that you are looking for in another state, we'll as we are extracting those same records here, we hope someone in another state is doing the same. You can see why it is important to join in, it is not difficult, hand writting might be a challenge, but there is lots of support to help you. Find out if you would like to do this.

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Treasure Chest Thursday - Started in New York Ended in California

Editor's note: Today's post was edited by Sandra Gardner-Benward but written by member Kathie Gutierrez

Henry Hill BANKS and Dora Olive (LAWRANCE) BANKS are my great grandparents.           [Note: The surname "LAWRANCE" is correctly spelled, with two of the letter "a".] 

They were married at Red Bank, in Tehama County. California on August 4, 1886. This was the second marriage for Henry, whose first wife died when their only child, a son, was about two and a half. 

Henry was born in 1848, in Chemung County, New York, came to California in 1870, and owned a ranch in Red Bank, Tehama County, California. One of several diaries written by Henry's eldest brother Eugene, tells us that he encouraged Henry to come to California despite the fact that their father William and one other brother, John, were trying their best to discourage him from leaving home. Two other brothers were already in California. Jerome, a lawyer, who became District Attorney of Red Bluff; and George, also a teacher, who became a prominent farmer in Woodland. I believe that his brothers told him there was more opportunity to prosper in the West than in the small towns where he lived in New York. It took him just 7 days for Henry to get here, so I believe he probably came by train in July, 1870, rather than by ship as his brothers had.

Dora was born in 1863, in Rough and Ready Township, Nevada County, California, and met Henry while living on his ranch with the rest of her family, while her step-father was working for Henry, managing the ranch. 

Henry began teaching while still in New York. He was certified as "to Moral Character, Learning and Ability to Teach" and licensed to instruct a "Common School" by the School Commissioner for Chemung County, New York in November, 1867. Then in 1868 he received a Certificate of Academic Scholarship from the East Genesee Conference Seminary by the regents of the University of New York. He was then just shy of being 20 years old. After arriving in California he attended the State Normal School in San Jose, California and received teaching certificates in several counties, the last of which in Mendocino County.

Henry was primarily a school teacher, and much of the time was not able to tend to his own ranch while teaching in various other districts, such as the town of Vina and Red Bluff in 1885.   This was the same year several secret love letters were written between Henry and Dora while she was caring for her elderly grandparents during that winter in Nevada County. Her sister Ida was the go-between. And I am the lucky descendant who recently inherited them.

He obtained some land in Tehama County after he got here  But I'm not yet sure whether he purchased that piece of land, or whether he was given that land by his first wife's father. His Father-In -Law already owned quite a lot of land in the Red Bank area. A few years after he married Dora, he moved his family to Mendocino County, where he homesteaded some land in Hopland. This is where he and his wife raised four more children while he continued teaching in one-room school houses. When the eldest daughter was old enough to attend high school, the family moved to Ukiah and bought a house.  The down payment for this house was paid for with the money Dora had saved from the eggs she sold to her neighbors. At least that's the story that was passed down.

Henry and Dora's youngest child was my grandmother, Flossie, who attended U.C. Berkeley, paying her own way with scholarships and work such as babysitting and housekeeping on campus. She later changed her name to Florence, which was felt to be a more professional name for her career as an English professor at San Jose State College.

Thank you Kathie for sharing this story with us. I see other story's I would love to hear more about ......... 

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Tuesday TIp - Journal Jar Ideas

Editor's note: Today's post was written by Sandra Gardner-Benward

What the heck is a Journal Jar? (orginally this was an idea submitted to SHARE-SISTER by Ann Boldt- no longer available) This was Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society member Sammie Hudgen's offering at the February Show N Tell evening. A simple idea but it can be very effective. Sammie has an aunt that just didn't want to talk about herself and family. She sent a jar and a binder to her asking her to just pull out a question each day and anwser it in the binder. She said no. Sammie again asked saying while you are enjoying your morning coffee, would you consider pulling out a slip of paper from the jar and write about it in your binder. She said yes. YIPPPEEEY!!! But now she doesn't want to give up the binder - well that is another story for another time!!

 

Now the Jar itself...........  you start with a quart canning jar with lid, ring and a small piece of cloth, some rafia, a blank recipe card  AND.....  now write out the questions that you would like answered. Give this some thought. When done, cut them into individual pieces and place them in the jar. Put the material on top of the jar, place ring on top and tighten it down. Tie raffia around the neck of the jar with the a recipe card attached saying-

RECIPE FOR MY LIFE HISTORY combine a generous slice of your life history, a dash of nostalga, several cups of facts and feelings and 104 deliciously interesting questions. Take a few minutes to enjoy the memories. paste or write the question at the top of a blank page., Fill in your answer. Don't worry about your handwriting or spelling - just tell your story. This product was prepared to preserve your life as a message. Enjoy the scrumptious, home-made memories that celebrate something very important - YOU
(NOTE: you certainly can decorate jar your way with your own greeting) You could very easily put a binder together with a question at the top of each page and just send out the binder. But where is the fun?

The project gives 104 questions......  too many to list here but I will list a few to give you a good starting place -- obviously you will want to customize your questions depending on who you will be sending this too ....... (NOTE: if you want the entire list please send me a message  and I will scan them in and email it to you- I did find several duplicates in the list but having this many questions to pick from without thinking about it is great)

1. Tell something about each of your children, their personalities, their talents, traits, that make them different and special.
2. Describe a favorite vacation of your married years.
5. Describe your wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses, if mail your suit, best man and attendants, etc
8 Describe your mother's wedding dress - what do you know about her wedding?
12. What do you feel has been the most significant world events that has taken place in your lifetime and why?
15. Describe your yard as a child - did you help with the yardwork? What are your memories - draw a diagram if you can.
19. Describe your first home as a young couple.
25. What were the favorite places to go with your family when you were young?
30. What is your mother's best trait?
36. Describe a favorite childhood friend and somethng you did with her/him.
37. Tell about your grandchildren. How many - how did you feel about being a grandparent?
42. Describe your Sundays as a mother/father or as a child.
50. Where did your Grandparents live? What was their home like? Did it have a certain smell or look?
63. Describe a childhood Christmas.
70. Do you remember any of your four grandparents? Any greats? What were their names? Any memories that you have.
77. Thinking back was there a teacher who had a great influence on you?
83. Did you go to college or have vocational training - where or when?
91. Write about some place you went with your father?
95. Describe a typical day during your Jr. High years.
96. What kind of extra-curricular activities did you participate in at school?
97. Tell about the houses you lived in childhood - addresses, phone numbers, etc.
99. Tell about all the places you have worked.
102. How did you mother spend her time?
103. Were you responsible for household chores? What were they? Which did you enjoy most/least?

 Enjoy the Project and Good Luck.

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Society Saturday - Western Migration in March

Editor's note: Today's post was written by Sandra Gardner Benward


What a super general meeting in March. After we got through all the introductions (and yes, Welcome to all our guests, new members and newer members), announcements: our Spring Seminar coming up APRIL 5, 2014 with Geoff Rasmussen, and, through our Parliamentarian Glenda Gardner-Lloyd a need to vote on a change to our by-laws,  special request for a member (s) to step up as the new Preserves Editor or one run by Committee.

We were then introduced to Kathryn Miller Marchall, Ph.D,  presenting "Western Migration Trails". Excellent, just an excellent presentation and great stories. This is the first session I have had with Kathryn and I was very impressed.

 Kathryn's description of this presentation (WESTERN MIGRATION TRAILS): The five most important trails to the West are described, along with the reasons for choosing one trail over another, the specific  seasons and challenges of travel along each, and what may be inferred about your ancestors from the routes they chose. Explore the fascinating, moving history recorded in trail diaries, wagon train rosters and other documents.

Among those trails that were discussed were the Oregon and California Trail, Truckee Route, Old Spanish Trail, Southern Emigrant Trail or Butterfield Stage Trail, Mormon Emigrant Trail or Carson Emigrant Trail, Central Overland Route.

Kathryn gave us a page of great references- websites and books. Did you know that almost each trail has a Trail Association? She also introduced us the to Paper-trail website and to virtual trails online.

I am jealous because I don't have anyone that came over on any of these trails, mine stayed on the east coast area.  But still great information and historically very interesting.

Kathryn probably has many hours of stories about people coming west over these trails. I want more.
I 'Googled' Kathryn's name and found she has book/DVD on sale through Amazon.com

While at Amazon.com I surprised to see that there is only          1(one) used copy available for sale ($50.00 plus s&h)

A further Google search shows Kathryn's a Director for the Lodi Family History Center, and advisor for the California Pioneer Heritage Foundation

                THANK YOU Kathryn and thanks for our Program Director Carolee Jones


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Those Places Thursday - Legacy SIG

Editor's note: Today's post was written by Sandra Gardner-Benward


DID YOU KNOW...........  there is a Legacy Software Special Interest Group (SIG) in Sacramento.

Marion Kile has taken on the task of continuing this SIG group. This is the same group led by Elizabeth which met at the Mission Oak Community Center.

NOW meeting at Family History Center, 2745 Eastern Ave, Sacramento, California. It meets on the first Thursday each month at 1pm to 3pm

If you are using Legacy and have upgraded to version 8 this is the place for you right now.

If you are attending Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society Spring Seminar on April 5 you will learn about a lot of the new items in Legacy v8 during the last segment of the day. It will be worth waiting for ........  and you will hear and learn from the creator Geoff Rasmussen. Then start attending the Legacy SIG group.

It is my hope that once the SIG goes through all the upgrades of version 8 then they will concentrate on the program for all levels. But there is a Q&A where you can ask your questions.


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Tuesday Tip - Document Your Heirlooms. WHY?

Editor's note: Today's post was written by Sandra Gardner-Benward

As you read on this past Saturday's blog post, alot of our members participate in the Show N Tell and are very proud of their family heirlooms and bring them to share what they know about it. Sometimes others even know something more about the area or object. Isn't that a wonderful thing to happen!

But how do you document your valuables and your family heirlooms so you can share them with other family members? Even when there is a family heirloom that is not physically with you how do you document that?

Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society is lucky that it has among its members Glenda Gardner Lloyd who teaches us from the basics through very complex family searches. Yes we are lucky to have her and for her to be so open and willing to share her knowledge. So she has tried to hammer into our habits to document what we have for you and for future family members. Makes sense.

As you may recall that Marie PHILLIPS has taken Glenda's (GARDNER LLOYD) teachings  seriously. She has her binders with photo and documentation of each item she has in her possession and also items that are located at other family member homes. AND it seems to work. Excellent job Marie. I have taken photos of a few of her pages, trying to give you an idea of all the different types of items can be documented.

I would think that the best place to start would be to create a template to use for all types of heirlooms, and family pieces, clothing, art work including childrens art work etc. Now you need to decide how you will take the photographs of your pieces if they are not photographed already. Will you use a smart/iphone or a scanner or a camera. Are you going to keep a physical hands on binder or will you keep this all on your computer.

 

 

Make a template of the page that you will use for each item. My way would be to create it on the computer using WORD or EXCEL. Most of the newer versions allow you to create an interactive template or page. Include a space for the photograph (which would probably be the largest area) , and then the name of the item, date of the photograph, description of item, size of item, date of creation - even it a range of years, materials used. method of construction, special markings, who first owned this heirloom and how did it come to you, special stories and traditions, who currently owns this item, research sources. Of course you could always use one page for the photograph (s) itself and then the second page for all the information and then include both back to back in a page protector. Also in order to locate all the items after the project has been included on a template is numbering it with a table of context (index) so you will be able to locate the item quickly.

You could make this a physical binder with paper and page protectors OR it can be a digital binder. You can make a template that you are able to fill in on your computer, attach a photo and add all information necessary.

What a fabulous job Marie has done!!  and a whole binder or two or more. I would 'kill' for just the pictures of the ancestors. What a great way to preserve your heirlooms or anything else.

 

 

Thinking about this whole process....... you could do this process for a home inventory, auto tools, gardening items, children's artwork, wall hangings or framed photographs, collections of any type, family recipes, books etc. You can see how important this template could be to develop. It would be a wonderful gift for you and your family and future family members.

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Motivation Monday - Here's to the Irish!

Editor's note: Today's post was written by Sandra Gardner-Benward

Happy St. Patrick's Day

 

Dye the rivers bright green

Let the green beer flow

make sure you have your emerald hat, and/or necklaces and earrings

how about a lime mustache and wig or shamrock- spreckled tights and a tutu

 Green is the color of the day if you are Irish

All the Irish Dancers and the parades - fun!!

 

Now is the time for great foods to name just a few

Corned Beef and Cabbage, Grilled Lamb, Barley and Lamb Stew,  Shepards Pie,  

Green Velvet Layer Cake,  Irish Stew, Leak Potato Soup, Guinness and Onion Soup, Stuffed Cabbage Rolls, Emerald Eggs, Scones, Irish Soda Bread, Shamrock Cupcakes,  and Irish Coffee [gosh I am so hungry now]

If you are not Irish [& I am not], well go with the flow and enjoy yourself.

Background of St Patricks Day

 

JOKE: A Spanish singer chatting on television used the word ‘manana’. When asked what that meant, he said it means “maybe the job will be done to-morrow, maybe the next day, maybe the day after that, next week, next month or next year. Who cares?” An Irishman in the conversation, Shay Brennan, was then asked if there’s an Irish equivalent. “No. In Ireland we don’t have a word to describe that level of urgency”

 

Chicago St. Patricks Day Parade

 

Sanctuary of St Patrick, Lough Derg | Co. Donegal

St Patrick’s Purgatory | Lough Derg is a unique island of deep prayer and a living part of Irish Christian Heritage. St Patrick himself was called to the island. Pilgrims have been travelling to the sacred site on Station Island, County Donegal for centuries. The small island is set in calm lake waters where there are no distractions or interruptions making it a conducive place to go into deep prayer and to get closer to the authentic self.

 

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Society Saturday - Annual Spring Seminar

Editor's note: Today's post was written by Sandra Gardner Benward

Root Cellar SGS Annual Spring Seminar

Saturday, April 5

Sorry you must be registered, no walk in's, no registration at the door
Early bird registration ends March 25
AND
NO registrations will be accepted after April 1, 2014
 

Registration Form
 

9:00 am to 3:45 pm

Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church, 11427 Fair Oaks Blvd., Fair Oaks, California

Web: http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/

Guest speaker Geoff Rasmussen, Legacy Family Tree Genealogy Software and host of Legacy Family Tree Webinars.

TOPICS:

* Timelines and Chronologies: Secrets of Genealogical Success

* Googling Around with Google and Other Fun Technology

* The Latest in Digital Imaging for Genealogists

* What's New in Legacy 8

 

Don't miss out on the Fabulous Raffle Baskets (get ready, those baskets are almost ready for you Raffle tickets will be available for purchase before, and during the breaks of the seminar. We will again be accepting  cash, and major credit cards and ..................

..............................the fantastic exhibitors.

There will be three outside merchants and Root Cellar SGS with genealogical and historically inspired items that you may be interested in purchasing.

 

A local returning company, Cox Black & White Lab, is able to restore those old black and white photos. Cox Black and White Lab, Inc. is Northern California’s finest black & white photographic lab offering custom film processing (including Pyro), custom fiber based printing, digital scanning and photo restoration. All black and white enlarging is done by hand “cooked to your standards”. Welcome back.

 

Another returning company, that is now available on-line, is Family Tree Inspirations. They can create a beautiful copy of your family tree suitable for hanging. Check out the many different family charts available. Welcome back.  [I won a prize last year and still need to decide which chart - which chart, how many generations, how much do I have on each ancestor? decisions decisions!!!]

 

New this year, our new book vendor Janaway Genealogy Books from Santa Maria, California. Among their selections will be Geoff’s Legacy Family Tree, Unlocked!, Digital Imaging Essential

and Legacy 8 software. Signs will be posted stating the time and place for Geoff’s book signing during the lunch break. If you have already purchased his books please bring them along for signing. And if you don't find that special book at the seminar, ask, it might be available through their website.

 AND of course please SUPPORT and SHOP Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society. We will always have a  table with a variety of our own publications plus all our other goodies - tote bags,        t-shirts, fan charts and more. Look through our publications and see what our extraction committee and individuals have given back- hundreds and hundreds of hours with hundreds of hours more to come.

Shop and Support Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society.
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Follow Friday - NGS in Virginia in May 2014. Where Will You Be?

Editor's note: Today's post was written by Sandra Gardner-Benward

 National Genealogical Society (NGS)

                                                                                      in Richmond Virginia 7-10 May 2014.

                                                   Will you be there? 

The four day conference will include more than 150 lectures by nationally known experts. Conference Highlights: Two influential genealogical organizations, the Board of Certification of Genealogists (BCG) and the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen) will each celebrate their fiftieth anniversary in 2014. The Friday night banquet will pay tribute to both organizations.

For those NOT attending (which includes me) 

NGS is live streaming 10 lectures split between two tracks for $65 for each Track.  These will be available for three months after the conference for those who sign up.  Track One is "Records and Research Techniques" and Track Two is "Virginia Records & Migration."  

If you are attending the conference: Make a strategic decision now about whether you want to join the hordes of attendees for these presentations which includes Elizabeth Shown Mills and Tom Jones, or attend one of the other great options which are at the same time slot and watch the presentations later.  

You can find more about this option here 

This is an easy process, I have registered already and I think well worth the effort and money. I have registered for Track 1 (I have nothing, no ancestors, no research in the Virginia area so I didn't opt for Track 2) BUT I will have 5 major sessions in Track 1 to view live and view online for 3 months after the conferene ends and all for $65. Now that is a bargain. If you are not a member of NGS it is $80  for one Track or $145 for both Tracks.

Registration deadline for Live Streaming access is 30 April 2014 at midnight. Instructions on how to access the live streaming will be emailed to all registered attendees by 6 May 2014. All registrants will receive an electronic version of the NGS 2014 Family History Conference Syllabus.

If you are attending the conference in person please contact me

AND Sign up for the conference blog--this will get you real-time information about the conference.  Right now each blog posting is highlighting a difference repository in the area.  If you have Virginia or research needs that take you to DC, these repositories are a gold mine of resources. Just enter your email address in the left sidebar and hit the subscribe button.  You will be able to unsubscribe whenever you wish. 

AND Download the mobile app.  Install it on your ipad and your phone.  Play with it.  It has maps, speaker bios, a direct twitter link (even if you have never tweeted before, this app makes it easy to start.) and the program.  Once the mobile app is downloaded, start reviewing all the program options and make some selections now.  You develop your personalized program by clicking on the star.  You can always make changes later but isn't it nice to get started and organized this far ahead of time.  

 
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Wordless Wednesday - Root Cellar SGS Members in the News

Editor's note: Today's post was written by Sandra Gardner-Benward

                             HIGHLIGHTING TWO ROOT CELLAR MEMBERS.

From the Sacramento Bee Newspaper February 17, 2014 written by Anita Creamer

"DNA Kits Link Folks to Ancient Ancestors but experts object to Neanderthals used in Marketing"

In the second half of the same article (page A12) there are interviews with two of our own Root Cellar SGS members - Jim Radar and Glenda Gardner Lloyd. check it out.

DNA kits link folks to ancient ancestors

NOTE: I have a paper subscription and so I have an online one too  ........  if you don't I don't know if you will be able to see the article. But the libraries carry the local newspapers (February 17, 2014 front page & continued to A12)

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Mystery Monday- Come on That is NOT a Word!

Editor's note: Today's post was written by Sandra Gardner-Benward




What's ............  Enfeoff?  Zax?  Doglope?  Mews?  

Do we need to learn a new language too?  

What does this all mean?

I guess it is back to school or at least to the library.


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Society Saturday -If It's February It's Show &Tell

Editor's note: Today's post was written by Sandra Gardner-Benward

Our meetings this year have included a formal but informal social pre-meeting discussion. In other words the topics of discussion have been pre decided, but who knows who will come early to join in the discussion.

The meeting starts at 7p with lots of announcements and some discussion. We had a birthday celebration for Frank Wilper who is 90 years young January 2014. Happy Birthday Frank. Our February Meeting is always "Show N Tell"...........  our members bring family items and tell their family stories. Usually a very interesting and entertaining evening and tonight was no exception.

Glenda GARDNER-LLOYD gave us a short but very informative presentation on "Documenting Your Heirlooms" & a list of home sources. Very good. This is something that we all need to do and I will SOOOOOOOOOOON. Thank you Glenda.

Now as our hostess tonight, Glenda talks with each person that brought something to share, asking questions and finding out those important points on interest.

Sit back. I will try to recall as much as possible for you...........

Denise MILLER, with a special cake plate that came from her mother. She has since found several family pictures with the same plate in use (LAIRD)....                                  How cool is that!! The red glassware was passed down from her fathers, mothers, mother. Nice keepsakes. How wonderful it is to have something that is THAT old and meaningful.

                 

 

Below, Sammie HUDGEN offering a brilliant suggestion to get those not so co-operative relatives to write dow their stories.... it is called a 'Journal Jar' - so simple but can be effective. You begin with a quart canning jar with lid and ring, a small piece of cloth, some raffia. The idea is write down whatever questions you have, cut each into its own strip of paper and place the strips into the jar. Put the material under the ring on top of the jar, and tie raffia around the neck of the jar with the card RECIPE for: My Life  History. Give it as a gift. In Sammie's handout she has given several pages of questions to anyone started. She gave her jar to an Aunt that didn't want to say anything and said she simply didn't have time. Sammie asked her if she would have time each morning while having her coffee. She agreed. (did I mention you need to provide a notepad/binder/paper for the answers- sorry!) The problem seems to be now the Aunt won't give her the binder back YET.

Below, Rick HANSON shows off a very heavy family heirloom flat iron. Do you remember your mother or grandmother or aunt using this? I sure do and am thankful that we have lighter and more efficient irons (if we need them at all) He is also brought a binder of family- the page showing shows a great way of displaying homes that his ancestors have lived in....... this is a great way of tracking your families too, very impressive. Some of us are not so lucky, we have gone back to take those pictures now to find that it is a business, a parking lot or department store or just an empty lot. Cherish those family pictures because a lot of do not have them and won't be able to get them now.

Below, Charlene EBERWINE displays her mothers "Sanded Majolica" A diamond in the rough. [Majolica - this is a brand new word for me] Charlene brought in a newspaper clipping on just this very subject.........'Looking for a bargain-priced piece of majolica? Majolica is the name for a special type of pottery made with a tin glaze that created a brightly colored surface. Most 19th century majolica was made with either a glazed surface or a rough finish. (Charlene's pieces of majolica are rough finishes- feels like large pieces of sand) Collectors have concentrated on the smooth finish pieces and pay high prices for them. Recently the Jones Museum of Glass and Ceramics in Sebago Maine, had an exhibit featuring the less-well-known sanded majolica. It was made from 1850- 1900' Thank You Charlene.

Below, Debbie ASHTON shows off an very unique painting of her father and uncle as young boys in Cincinnati Ohio. She has it out of the frame. It is very clear and in fairly good condition. I love the oval shape. Very dramatic. This is one that you need to be able to see in person.

Below, Kathy GUTIERREZ showing off her grandparents marriage certificate from Redbank, California.[sorry picture of certificate looks blurry - I apologize] This is a beautiful piece of history. 

Below, Marie PHILLIPS showing off her prized inventory binder [probably only one of many] This is something that we have all learned about in Glenda GARDNER-LLOYD's classes over the years. However, Marie has really followed through all her family heirlooms, photographed each one, and filled in all the vital information about that piece along with where the piece actually is located. GREAT JOB Marie!! very inspiring.........  someday!!

Below, Jack BANK, showing a great display of 100 year old + family pictures of family and home at the farm in Butte County California. Anyone searching for EATON family?

Below, Joan CONZATTI shows off her 1850 China Doll. It has been handed down many times and now to Joan. She recalls when she was a young child she got into trouble because she wanted to take 'her' doll out to the tree house to play.  Sorry to say in my enthusiam to take pictures of the members I forgot to take one of the doll. I am so sorry Joan. It is a wonderful family piece to be handed down to many more generations to come.

Below, Sharon Nichols brought a Civil War book with all the battles from a particular Company (sorry didn't write that down), in Alleghany Pennsylvania. Sorry for lack of details.

 

Below, Dan LAWER shows off a small Bible. The Bible was given to my father by his parents for Christmas in 1941 shortly after he enlisted in the Army following the Pearl Harbor attack. He was in the artillery and went to Europe, landing Dec 18, 1944 - he spent the time in between as an instructor in coastal artillery school at Camp Callen, where UC San Diego campus is now in La Jolla, CA

Another item he talked about was for his sister-in-law Tobi REDMON - searching REDMON, WAGNER, GRAVELL, CAMERON (alt CAMBRON)  that I know of.  I do not know the others that lead back to NOAH - her 100th GGF was a Trojan king, 141st GGF was ADAM - not bad for a beginner ...... and imagine she has hit a brickwall NOW!!  I want to see those sources!!
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Below, Sharon SWAIN brought a wonderful picture of a family stone house in Idaho taken 1873. I love seeing all these different homesteads. How the looks have changed! [I am sorry that I didn't get closer for the details]

Unfortunately for me and especially for you, apparently I did not get pictures of all our participants and I am so sorry for that. I will try harder next time.

George MARKS  showed off quite a number of very old family photos with stories to go along with each picture (sorry George);

......and somehow I also managed to missed a picture of Kerry ANDERSON and her sampler... she brought a very beautiful old sampler probably 150 years old that came from Ireland I think she said. She found the sampler rolled up in the bottom of a box of family stuff.... I think in a garage.  She took it to a textile restorationist.  She said the fabric was cleaned and is now lighter and the colors brighter.  Some damage to the fabric by I think bugs but adds character. [I will try to get a picture for you at show another time]

WOW what a great evening..  and this continues to entertain and surprise us each February.


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