Society Saturday - June Happenings

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


What is happening with Root Cellar SGS in June? 


Thursday June 5 
Legacy Family Tree Special Interest Group - No meeting in June & July

Family History Center

2745 Eastern Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95662

 

Thursday June 5
Root Cellar SGS Board Meeting
Sylvan Community Center
7521 Community Drive, Citrus Heights
10am - Noon 
Contact Diane Maltase with comments, questions
Members always welcome


Friday, June 6
Root Cellar SGS Extraction Committee
Center for Sacramento History
551 Sequoia Pacific Blvd, Sacramento
9am - Noon         extra hands are always welcome
Contact: Marilyn Ulbricht 

A lot 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 writing might be a challenge, but there is lots of support to help you. Find out if you would like to do this.

Thursday, June 12  -  no meeting in July & August
Root Cellar SGS Membership Meeting
7pm to 8:30pm
Christ Community Church, 5025 Manzanita Avenue, Carmichael
Questions/comments contact Diane Maltase

6:15pm - 7pm Pre-meeting....  open discussion- each table will be dedicated to several US states. Share tips, information, problems and solutions with people researching in the same region.
7pm to 8:30pm Program "Using the Subscription Newspaper Web Sites at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries" presented by Janice Sellers.

Newspapers can provide information about births, deaths, marriages, moves, business, naturalization's, court cases, and more. The FHL Portal at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries provides free access to several newspaper subscription sites. This class gives an overview of what is available and techniques to help improve your chances of finding information about your relatives. 
Janice Sellers is a professional genealogist specializing in forensic, newspaper, and Jewish research. She edits three genealogy journals and serves on the boards of San Francisco Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Society and California State Genealogical Alliance. She is also a member of Association of Professional Genealogists, Council for the Advancement of Forensic Genealogy, Genealogical Speakers Guild, California Genealogical Society, African American Genealogical Society of Northern California, and Gesher Galicia.
Visitors always welcome! 



Friday June 13 - a lucky day for all
Root Cellar SGS Extraction Committee
Center for Sacramento History
551 Sequoia Pacific Blvd, Sacramento
9am - Noon        extra hands are always welcome
Contact: Marilyn Ulbricht 

A lot 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 writing might be a challenge, but there is lots of support to help you. Find out if you would like to do this.

Wednesday, June 18

Root Cellar SGS Workshop

1- 3pm

Sylvan Community Center, 7521 Community Drive, Citrus Heights

Learn research tips. Share your successful finds and brickwalls. The sessions may include a webinar or a demo of a research tool. Guests welcome! 
Contact John Jay for more information.

Wednesday, June 18

Rootsmagic Special Interest Group
12:30pm - 2pm

Family History Center

2745 Eastern Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95662

For reservations call  916-487 2090

Friday June 20
Root Cellar SGS Extraction Committee
Center for Sacramento History
551 Sequoia Pacific Blvd, Sacramento
9am - Noon  - extra hands are always welcome
Contact: Marilyn Ulbricht 

A lot 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 writing might be a challenge, but there is lots of support to help you. Find out if you would like to do this.

Wednesday June 25
Reunion for the Mac Special Interest Group (SIG)
10:30am - 12:30pm
FamilySearch Library, 2745 Eastern Ave, 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 June 27
Root Cellar SGS Extraction Committee
Center for Sacramento History
551 Sequoia Pacific Blvd, Sacramento
9am - Noon - extra hands are always welcome
Contact: Marilyn Ulbricht 

A lot 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 writing might be a challenge, but there is lots of support to help you. Find out if you would like to do this.

Shop and Support Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society.
Click here for details.

 

 

 

Follow Friday - Taking Classes in Your PJ's

Editor's note: Posted by Sandra Gardner-Benward -  Written by Southern California Jamboree


We sure live in a time that you can stay home, never leave home, never go to a conference and be able to view free top sessions through your computer at home or anywhere you choose.

Another opportunity is here and will be available in June - straight from the Southern California Jamboree in Burbank, California.

The Southern California Genealogical Society has released the schedule of live-streamed sessions that will be available FREE at the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree June 6-8, 2014.

A total of 14 free sessions will be streamed over the three days of Jamboree. The sessions are open to the public and can be attended by anyone with a broadband Internet connection. Free Free Free!! Did I mention they are free? 

The list of classes and speakers  

The live streaming is sponsored in part by Jamboree's diamond sponsor, Ancestry.com. Many of the streamed sessions will eventually be accessible to SCGS members in the webinar archive, which holds more than 100 hours of instructional videos that are available on demand to members of the society.

In addition, five live-streamed sessions will be available for viewing from the Family History and DNA: Genetic Genealogy in 2014 conference on Thursday, June 5. Because that event is produced by ISOGG and SCGS and it does not accept financial support, the live-streamed sessions are available on a pay-for-view basis. An All-Day Pass is also offered.  Because the Family History and DNA Conference does not receive any sponsorship support, we ask our audience to support the costs of the streamed sessions on Thursday. Each individual class costs $30. A discounted Full-Day Pass opens the door to all five sessions, plus free download of the DNA syllabus with handouts for all 20 sessions.

The sessions can be viewed real-time, as it is being delivered in Burbank, or when it's convenient any time before July 5. The Family History and DNA sessions will not be available for later viewing in the SCGS webinar archive, so don't miss this opportunity to view these professional genetic genealogists.

Click on the link above to pre-register for a session. Payment and further directions will be emailed to you.

Family History and DNA sessions

Thursday, June 5

TH003 - Thursday 10:00AM - CeCe Moore: "Real World Stories from the Desk of a Genealogy DNA Detective"

TH007 - Thursday 11:30AM - Diahan Southard: "Lab Tour: How Your Data is Generated"

TH010 - Thursday 2:15PM - Blaine Bettinger, PhD, JD: "Using Autosomal DNA to Explore Your Ancestry"

TH015 - Thursday 3:30PM - Dr. Maurice Gleeson: "Which DNA is Best for You?"

TH021 - Thursday 5:00PM - Tim Janzen, MD: "Advanced Techniques for Use of Autosomal DNA Tests to Break Through Genealogical Brick Walls"

All-Day Pass allows you to view all five of these presentations, plus download the Family History and DNA syllabus at no charge. You'll have handouts to all 20 of the presentations.

Southern California Jamboree sessions

Friday, June 6

FR009 - Friday 1:00PM - Judy G. Russell JD, CG, CGL - "Dowered or Bound Out: Records of Widows and Orphans"

FR018 - Friday 2:30PM - Blaine Bettinger PhD, JD - "DNA and the Genealogical Proof Standard"

FR027 - Friday 4:00PM - Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FUGA - "Manuscript Finding Aids: Locating Migrating Family Records"

FR034 - Friday 5:30PM - F. Warren Bittner, CG - "Proof Arguments: How and Why"



Saturday, June 7
SA003 - Saturday 8:30AM - F. Warren Bittner, CG - "Elusive Immigrant!"

SA019 - Saturday 10:00AM - Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL - "Staying out of Trouble: The Rights and Responsibilities of Today's Genealogist"

SA027 - Saturday 11:30AM - Michael Leclerc - "Researching Your New England Ancestors"

SA037 - Saturday 2:00PM - Bennett Greenspan - "The Future of Genetic Genealogy"

SA039 - Saturday 3:30PM - Dr. Maurice Gleeson - "Researching Your Irish Ancestry"

SA053 - Saturday 4:00PM - Cyndi Ingle - "The Internet: A Genealogist's Printing Press"


Sunday, June 8
SU009 - Sunday 8:30AM - D. Joshua Taylor - "Resources of the DAR: Beyond Revolutionary War Soldiers"

SU012 - Sunday 10:00AM - Dawn Thurston - "How to Write a Personal History that Captures your Interesting Life"

SU020 - Sunday 1:00PM - Dr. Maurice Gleeson - "Ireland and the Slave Trade"

SU036 - Sunday 2:30PM - Denise Levenick - "Dirty Pictures: Save Your Family Photos from Ruin"

Important Links:

List of live-streamed webinars

View the list of archived webinars

Upcoming 2014 webinars

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Wishful Wednesday - MORE "Finding Your Roots" on PBS TV

Editor's note: Posted today by Sandra Gardner-Benward


Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. will travel across America to trace the family histories of celebrity guests and tell the intertwined stories of race, class, place, and culture from across the globe that brought them here. In all, each episode is a journey through one branch of the American past leaving audiences all the more curious about their own past and eager to unearth their own family roots.

30 Celebrities for Fall "Finding Your Roots" on PBS

Finding Your Roots to return to PBS on Sept 23rd. 30 celebrities including 

Ben Affleck 

Billie Jean King

Ken Burns

Anderson Cooper

Courtney B. Vance

Stephen King

Sally Field

Gloria Reuben

Rebecca Lobo

Carole King

Deepak Chopra

Ming Tsai

Angela Bassett

Valerie Jarrett

Aaron Sanchez

Derek Jeter

Tony Kushner

Nas

Tom Colicchio

Khandi Alexander. 

That's 3 Kings if you're keeping track!

Mark your calendar for September 23, 2014 

and 

settle back for a terrific season.

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Military Monday - Memorial Day Remembering

Editor's note: Today's post was written by Sandra Gardner-Benward - images through Google Search-see bottom link


How do you celebrate Memorial Day? I celebrate by remembering what the day is means. (wiki) This  is a US federal holiday where the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces are remembered. The holiday, which is celebrated every year on the final Monday of May, was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service. 

My husband and I celebrate the morning by attending our local cemetery: Sylvan Cemetery in Citrus Heights.

... they always have an appropriate recognition & celebration of their lives ........  with lots of tributes from officials and attendees to those that gave their lives. Join Us! Or check your local cemetery and see what activities they will be doing on Memorial Day. 

Memorial Day is a day that allows me to look back and think of my parents. My Dad, is a WWII veteran. He was so excited about the WWII monument being built and was hoping that he would be able to visit it. My husband and I were very lucky to visit the World War II monument while it was being built. We sent and brought back lots of pictures for him. Unfortunately, he was not able to make the trip before he passed away in 2006. But he loved the pictures and all the Internet coverage. My husband and I were able to visit the WWII monument again after it was complete. It is a-w-e-s-o-m-e!! NO pictures or description does it justice. If you have the opportunity to visit the area please take advantage of it.

So here is my recognition and celebration of two veterans from WWII - my Dad and Mom.  I am very proud of both of you.

Dad: Lt Col John Patterson GARDNER Jr born in Alliance Ohio 1917 and passed away in 2006. I wished he could have made the trip to Washington DC one more time but it was not to be. His ashes will be mixed and buried with my mothers ashes (when the time comes) and buried at the new Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon.

Dad was attached to the 119th Infantry 30th Division/ European arena. They were both honorably discharged.  

Dad then reenlisted in the Army and served well over 20 years before retiring as a Lt. Col. from the Presidio in  San Francisco, California

 


Mom: Mary Jane (LITTLE) GARDNER born in Cuba New York 1920 and still living in Citrus Heights California  

She  is also a veteran from WWII- attached to the Nursing Corp- European & Africa Arenas 



Just a little about the WWII Monument: On April 29, 2004, the National World War II Memorial opens in Washington, D.C., to thousands of visitors, providing overdue recognition for the 16 million U.S. men and women who served in the war.  The memorial is located on 7.4 acres on the former site of the Rainbow Pool at the National Mall between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. The Capitol dome is seen to the east, and Arlington Cemetery is just across the Potomac River to the west...........  It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

There is granite and bronze, fountains- omg lots and lots of fountains, arches and pillars......  the arches are flanked by semicircles of pillars, one for each state, territories, and the District of Columbia. There is curved wall of 4,000 gold stars, one for every 100 Americans killed in the war. Only four million World War II veterans were living by this time of completion. 

The idea for this monument was suggested formally in 1987 and it took 17 years of legislative, legal and artistic arguments to see this project through to the end on April 29, 2004. The Federal Government donated $16 million to the memorial fund and another $164 million in private donations to get it built. On May 29, 2004 it was formally dedicated by US President George W Bush. It is awesome!!

                                           World War II Monument images
                                   lots of awesome images so give it time to load, it is worth it


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Society Saturday - Extraction Materials Come in Different Forms

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


.....here is one of the many projects Root Cellar SGS Extraction Committee is working on each Friday at the Center for Sacramento History is the

             Coroner’s Inquest Records (1850-1979)

Boxes will be “pulled” from the vault by History Center staff and made available for Volunteers. Right now there are 5 members working on this particular project.

When beginning a new box, volunteer will enter his/her name on the master log sheet as the person taking responsibility for that box, including the Box Number.

Each box contains a number of manila file folders.  Volunteer will identify each file folder as to its box and file number, i.e., Box “00:1,” “00:2,” etc.

Each file folder within the box contains a number of inquest cases.  The volunteer will organize the cases within each folder alphabetically, with the coroner’s record as the top page, then a legal size sheet of archival paper will be placed as the first page of that case, showing the Last Name, First Name, and Box/File Folder Number in the upper right corner of the archival paper.  Once each file folder has been organized, a spreadsheet is created with the following data for each case:  Last Name, First Name, Date of Birth, Age, Nativity, Date of Death, Cause of Death, Box and File Number.

Upon completion of data entry for all file folders in the box, box is identified as being “complete and ready for proofreading,” with notation made on the master log sheet that the box is complete.

The box is then proofread.  Notation is made on the master log sheet that the proofing is complete, then the box is returned to storage.

All the information is entered into each members laptop using a specific spreadsheet form. The information is added as they work through their file folders in their box. Weekly work is saved to their laptop, and 'saved as' to a special thumb drive that goes to the coordinator of all this work. She creates the publications from all the information. Eventually it is included on our publication list on our website. Check it out and see what we have done.....and been doing for many of years.

This is only a sampling of what could be in any folder. You just never know what you will find. 

Did you notice how brittle the paper is? We are very careful handling all the documents.

Check out our website to see all the publications we have completed over the years. Yes, check it out and see,  is there something there that will help you or your society in researching  ancestors? 

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Follow Friday - Family History Expo - 2015? Maybe - Maybe Not

Editor's note: Today's post was written by Sandra Gardner-Benward  (opinions are the authors not the organization)



This is my third year of attending the Family History Expo Sacramento, held at the Crowne Hotel along I-80 & Madison Ave. Only Charlene, Marilyn & Sandi representing Root Cellar SGS.

The first year we were all very excited about this event. Many Root Cellar SGS members attended. How do I know (besides knowing the members)? We were all wearing our navy Root Cellar SGS t-shirts. AND we were wearing them proudly. Most of us were wearing our name badges & swingers and carrying our Root Cellar Tote Bags. Yes we were a force to be reckoned with.

Pros & Cons from the First Year: 
The rooms were not regulated and most were cold, but that is something that happens at all conferences.

The service at the restaurant in the hotel was extremely bad. Not enough staff. Some people waited after they ordered for almost the entire hour waiting for their food and some waited half that time just to order their food. A lot of people gave up and got nothing to eat. They did have a lunch buffet ready the second day but after the first day of problems most made other plans. Some left and went to surrounding restaurants. Not good. The hotel was not prepared and it was very disappointing.

There were plenty of vendors around the floor. Some genealogy and historical society's had tables also. The book vendor (a familiar family business) was also available. They took up quite a bit of room in the main seating area.  And since they were right in the open area there had to be someone with their books at all times.

Several of the presenters gave their presentation around their own business. Very commercialized, very disappointing.

Because of the commercialism and the food debacle a lot of attendees were put off,  AND did not return the next year. It showed in the attendance for the next year, which was too bad because they did a lot of the problems worked out.

People who returned the second year were pleasantly surprised that a dinner buffet was set up and a lunch buffet for the following day each for $10.

I did notice that there were not many genealogy or historical society's visible. Only a handful of Root Cellar SGS members (including me). That was disappointing. I wanted to see a sea of blue Root Cellar SGS t-shirts.

Vendors were again good and different than the first year. I remember buying a number of specialized books. The same book vendor was there but they were being housed in its own room so the doors could be locked at times. YES I broke down and bought my Flip Pal. Love Love it!!

My experience the first year was not good but I wanted to be fair and so I came back the next year. I am glad I did. Meals were better, areas for resting, meeting with friends and sharing area. some classes were still commercialized and so I avoided them. And as I said attendance was down.

I won a top prize worth $500 in professional research with Arlene Eakle, PhD........... she is President and founder of The Genealogical Institute, Inc. Dr Eakle is a professional genealogist with more than 30 years' experience in research, consulting, lecturing, and writing. An expert in tracing families from New York, Southern US, British Isles, Switzerland and parts of Germany, she claims a 96% success rate. --- So I am trying to get my 'stuff' together to take advantage of her expertise. YIPPPPEY!!!

THIS year, earlier this month, the Family History Expo was in town - two days as usual. Yes I signed up and hoped for the best.  Well the first thing, there were only 3 Root Cellar SGS members in attendance - Marilyn Ulbricht, Charlene Eberwine, & Sandi Benward (me).......  no one else. Where were you? Very disappointing. Attendance was really noticeable down. I believe it all steams from the disappointing first year. Holly Hansen, President, was concerned by the lack of interest and would be talking to people over this year - hoping that the organizations in this town will help in the publicizing of the event and get people out. So we will see if they will be back or not.

No book vendor this year........ other vendors were available - Backblaze and FamilySearch, Writemeaning, The Genealogical Institute, ArkivDigital, plus Ask the Pros just to name a few. No genealogical or historical society's were represented including the Genealogical and Historical Council of Sacramento Valley. Now that is just sad. Even a freebie table would have been acceptable rather than nothing.

It is a fairly small place but it was spread out over the fist floor and it would have been nice to have had a map of the area - where the rooms are located, restrooms, vendors etc. It would have been helpful. (they had them in years past)

Classes were much better this year- varied & other presenters. We all really enjoyed the classes we took from both days. A lot of good information and ideas. Information that I will be using in my research this year. All three of us were very happy with the entire conference this year. Great dinner & lunch buffets. If you purchased a paper copy of the syllabus you really got your monies worth......  it includes all the handouts for the 2014 Sacramento Conference but also from the South Dakota Conference 2014, the Wyoming Conference 2014 and the Nebraska Conference 2014......... (this is also true from past years)

Family History Expos - they provide educational family history and genealogy expos and retreats. The president and organizer of these conferences is Holly Hansen. If you attended, send in some constructive criticism- the good with the bad. Please send her a message and show your support for next years conference.

I would like to encourage everyone to come out for the 2015 Family History Expo (probably held at the beginning of May) and support this event. I would encourage the genealogical and historical society's around the area to participate with a table and get back involved.  Go to the website and send a message to Holly and let her know that you will be supporting the 2105 conference and will help in getting the word out. Thanks. 



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Treasure Chest Thursday - The Preserves

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

Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society, like a lot of societies around the country, puts out  a society publication called "The Preserves" three times a year. In recent years, our society, like most have stressed over the cost of putting out a good quality publication and balancing the cost too. We, like many, have finally gone from a paper copy to one that is digital and only available online. We still exchange with other society's and libraries but it is digital now. 

A plus for digital copy is that it can be whatever length you want. Another is you can also publish in color or black and white. Of course the cost goes down by hundreds of dollars per issue. These are all great pluses. AND it allows a greater freedom and a lot more creativity for the editor. 

At our May General Meeting we concentrated on the Preserves........below is our current issue.  

They went into the history of the Preserves, how it was created, what does into putting out a copy. The periodical was called From the Shelves of Root Cellar in the beginning. Beginning in January 1983, Volume 5, #2, the periodical was called Root Cellar Preserves, meaning the verb to gather and preserve, and the noun to can and store.

The periodical changed from 4 issues a year, a quarterly, to 3 issues a year several years ago. 

Carolee showed members how to access the members-only section so they can download the latest issue or any issue. 

YES any issue...... Ron Setzer & John Jay have just completed a high priority project.......  John scanned in all back Preserves (starting in 1979 to current) and Ron digitized them and put them up in the members only section of our website. Big thanks to Ron Setzer and John Jay for all their efforts and many hours of work. 

Glenda gave a little bit of history for the Preserves. The Preserves have had many editors over the years. Doe Bayless         Vol. 1, #1 – Vol. 3, #2  Jan. 1979

Joyce Buckland    Vol. 3, #3 – Vol. 5, #4

Doreen Carlson    Vol. 6, #1 – Vol. 8, #3

Mary Anne McDaniel   Vol. 9, #1 – Vol. 16, #4

Cecilia Michael    Vol. 17, #1 – Vol. 20, #4

Cecilai Michael & Leora Matranga    Vol. 21, #1

Valerie Hawkins   Vol. 21, #2 through Vol. 23, #3

Joanne Burkett     Vol. 24, #1 – Vol. 26, #2

Note: (Vol. 26, #1 & #2 were actually done by Mary Anne Smith.  Joanne had not formally resigned.  Mary Anne left Joanne’s name on for several issues and Mary Anne was never formally appointed as Editor.)

Mary Anne Smith     Vol. 26, #3 – Vol. 32, #2

    
Our current editor, Ron Setzer, was responsible for Vol 32, #3 - present.(June 2014).  Ron is retiring after the June 1 edition comes out. He has done an excellent job and has taken our publication to new heights - digital & color. Thank You so much for all the hours and love you have put into each publication. 

                             BIG DRUM ROLLLLLLLLLL PLEASE 

Long time member, Lois Shumaker, will be stepping into the Preserves Editors shoes starting in July. Anyone that would like to be involved with the Preserves or has some ideas about the Preserves please feel free to contact Lois and discuss it with her. 

Welcome and thank you Lois.  
   


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Tuesday's Tip - Time for Military Research

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


With V-E Day, Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day in May, Flag Day, D-Day, Battle of the Midway begins and Start of Korean War begins in June, I thought this is a great time to do your military research. It is all about Military right now. Jump in and find your Veterans from whatever war and time frame and learn about their experiences, learn about the war they fought in..............

PRE WW1 – National Archives and Record Admin, attn: NWCTB, 700 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC 20408-001 website: 

Military Records:  NATF form 86; Pension/Bounty Land: NATF form 85 

Civil War (north & south) index to soldiers 

WW1 – present : National Personnel Records Center (Military Personnel Records); 9700 Page Ave; Lt Louis MO 631325100 

Miscellaneous: WW1 – draft cards, National Archives Records Center; southeast branch;; 1557 St Joseph Ave, East Point, GA 30344

US Dept of Veterans Affairs, Regional Office, Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Bldg, 

1 Federal Drive, St Paul MN 55222-4050  1-800-827-1000

VA cemeteries in US 

American Battle monuments comm.; (overseas burials); Arlington Court House Plaza IL,  2300 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington VA 22201 …..  

There are many many more. Probably 'Google' will be a good resource. If you have others you want to share, please leave them in the comment section.......  Thanks

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Mystery Monday - DNA, received the results ...what about it? what next?

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


DNA research - so you get the kit, swab and send it in, and the information comes back..... AND NOW WHAT? WHAT to do now? It makes no sense at all............  

I have done testing for myself, one of my sons, and my brother. I would also like to test my other son and my mother. I am also going to New York in July and want to get my first cousin on my mothers side tested,  but then I ask why? WHY?? There are emails alerts coming to me about matches but they don't make much sense. I don't see the connections. What am I missing? 

I have done the mtDNA and autosomal for myself, the yDNA test for my son and my brother. It is like Greek /Italian /Chinese.......  nonsense! Why is this so hard to understand? Each year I learn just a little bit more but can't seem to grasp the whole idea - just bits and pieces at a time. When I attend a DNA session, it seems to make some sense but when I go to apply it to my own 'numbers' there is no sense, no rhyme or reason. 

But that being said, I went down to the Sacramento Downtown Central Library to attend the DNA session with Jim Radar earlier today. Beth Daughtery the organizer, always puts together great programs, that are helpful, informative and they are always well attended. Today was no exception. Thank You Beth. 

Jim had an updated presentation ready, after announcements and introductions he started off with questions. And that is almost all he did the whole time was to answer questions. Yes he did show several short videos and a couple of slides with information and comparisons but the best part of the hour and a half were the questions from the audience, Jim answering and others giving more information and more questions. This was really worth the time. We all got to ask the questions we had, he could see what we wanted to know and everyone was happy. Jim will be coming back in September for part two of his DNA presentation. Wonder how far he will get in that presentation, GREAT JOB JIM!! After today, I do know that I will stay with FamilyTreeDNA. But as Jim says you test for what you want to find out. The top three company's are FamiyTreeDNA, AncestryDNA, & 23 & Me with a fourth Britian'sDNA. As Jim says,  "you should fish in all three ponds to get the best results.....You never know where those elusive descendants tested".  Now I am looking for any first cousins carrying the GARDNER name to get tested. (I have found two, but are they still alive and where are they- it is never easy) 

Jim gave a similar presentation at RootsTech2014 in Salt Lake City- so we can actually hear what he was going to tell us today & more .........I believe we got a really good deal today....  his original video from RootsTech is available to listen and watch anytime - click here: Intro to DNA for Genealogists (60m) with Jim Radar.....  once you get to this page to watch this video check all the other videos that are also available to watch anytime you want .  A very big Thank you to Jim and to RootsTech ...... there is hope! 

I have also signed up for DNA DAY at the Southern California Jamboree in Burbank, California in July. I am looking forward to that too. There is a special breakout at the end of the day where you can meet with company representatives and ask questions (and hopefully get answers that I understand) 

My son, Jason wants to be more involved with his DNA testing and wants me to instruct him. OH BOY, maybe between the two of us we can come out on the positive side and make some sense of it all.........  and make it work for us. 

All my testing has been through FamilyTree DNA. The data base is large and growing all the time. I have tried to go through the reading material online but I don't seem to understand what I am reading. I will be looking for a deal on kits at the Jamboree.......  one for my mom/ family finder. And then I may check out AncestryDNA and 23 & ME. One step at a time. 



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Surname Saturday - Armed Forces Day May 17, 2014

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

         A Salute to Armed Forces Day May 17, 2014

Just a little history: 

President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.

On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days.

The single day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under the Department of Defense. First Observed on 20 May 1950, the day created on 31 August 1949, to honor Americans serving in the five US military branches - US Army, US Navy, US Marine Corps, US Air Force and US Coast Guard. - following the consolidation of the military services in the US Department of Defense. 

In the United States, Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May. If falls near the end of Armed Forces Week, which begins on the second Saturday of May and ends on the third Sunday of May.

A Tribute to a Veteran: 
My Mother: Mary Jane LITTLE, just graduating from Nursing School in Buffalo General Hospital in 1941 and wondering what the world had in store for her. This sheltered young woman, bright eyed and full of energy and positive thoughts will be out on her own now with World War II looming just around the corner

Soon after Mary Jane enlisted as a 2nd Lt in the US Army Nursing Corp. She received her papers for parts unknown (Africa, Italy and France) With lots of adventures - some good and some not so good - she made it home in tack. She married, and began a life as an Army wife, living quite a bit in Europe, began a family, and then got back to nursing when they finally arrived in Daly City, California. 

She was assigned as a 2nd Lt in the Army Nursing Corp. Her first assignment was to Ft George Meade MD, Maryland with temporary duty as Reserve Nurse at the Station Hospital.... 

Promoted to a 1st Lt still in the Army Nurse Corp, 23rd General Hospital, assigned to the European Theater (Africa, France, Italy). She honorably served in active Federal Service in the Army of the United States from 25 September 1942 to 10 December 1945. 
                     Thank you for your service 

My father, John Patterson GARDNER Jr. opened up this account for my mother at the Women's Memorial in Arlington Cemetery, Washington DC.  Looks like it could use an update and a little more information. (This is on my to-do list) This is an amazing place if you ever get a chance to visit. If any woman you are associated with was in service during WWII see if you can get their story and put them into the database. They should ALL be remembered.

 

Here we are in the lobby of the Buffalo General Hospital, Buffalo, New York (1999). We are looking through all the displays and found this that shows all the nurses that served their country that graduated from this facility.........  I am of course pointing out my mothers name.
                                                                    M. LITTLE,  R. N.

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