Society Saturday: New Blog Team Member

Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society is pleased to introduce Richard (Rick) Hanson as the newest member of its Technology Committee.  Rick will be writing for this blog beginning Sunday, March 3, 2013.  He will be joining existing Blog Team members Sandra Benward, Ron Setzer and Denise Richmond.  Writing for the blog is on a rotational schedule, a week at a time.

Richard Hanson

Rick is a native of Sacramento but worked in southern California as a computer programmer/database designer/team leader. He retired in 2002 and moved back to Sacramento after spending his first retirement year as a tourist in San Diego. While in southern California, Rick served on the boards of computer clubs, genealogical societies, two condo associations and a chapter of the National Space Society.  He also served several years as editor for the quarterly COMPU.GEN (Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego).

In 1982, Rick started his family history research using a text editor and moved to a Macintosh a couple years later for its publishing capability.  Since then, he's self-published seven family history books.  During the 1990s, Rick started using Reunion genealogy software.  His personal genealogy goal for the first half of this year is to completely reorganize how he tracks and documents sources in Reunion.

In addition to Rick's new new role as Blog Writer, he will continue to contribute to Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society as a helper and occasional presenter for the Society's monthly Workshop and the Reunion Special Interest Group, and a as volunteer at its annual Spring Seminar.

Other local groups benefit from Rick's talents - he's active in the:

• Sacramento German Genealogy Society serving as Secretary and leader of the EasyNetSites admin team
• California GenWeb, having created and currently maintains its website for Sierra County
• Genealogical and Historical Council Sacramento Valley where he's listed in its speaker's directory

William Horn and
Amelia "Bridgett" Keenan

I asked Rick if he had a brickwall ancestor.  Of course!  Meet William Horn, pictured with wife Amelia "Bridget" Keenan.  They married in 1863 in Sierra County, California.  Rick has quite a lot of information about William's activities after he arrived in Sierra County, California on/before 1851 to engage in gold mining.  However, before that only secondary sources say he was born 14 Aug 1929 in Prussia. The "family rumor" is that William jumped ship in an eastern U.S. port in 1846 and later rode to the California gold fields on horseback.

If you have a William Horn and Amelia "Bridget" Keenan in your family tree or just want to leave a welcome message, comment on this post or send it to Rick at rootcellarsgs@gmail.com.

Welcome again, Rick!

Contributed by Rick Hanson
Posted by Denise H. Richmond

The Root Cellar Blog, a Member Benefit

The use of blogs is just one of the many genealogical tools Thomas MacEntee will discuss at the Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society Spring Seminar on March 16, 2012.

Take a look at recent Root Cellar news on GeneaBloggers.com. 

Now imagine your family history query or brickwall here instead.  Carolee Jones submitted this humorous Thanksgiving story.  Nancy Fiorini submitted a story about her father-in-law.  Jack Willoughby revealed his eligibility in an esteemed organization.  Each of these Root Cellar members' articles reached thousands of blog readers who subscribe to GeneaBloggers.com because of its value as another genealogical research resource. 

Consider casting your surnames and localities to a new community of genealogists - blog readers.  Long or short stories, maybe just an image with a brief description, maybe your brickwall surname -- the Root Cellar blog is here to benefit members.

Submit your questions, stories or images to rootcellarsgs@gmail.com for posting on the blog.  Editing or proofing assistance is available if needed.

posted by Denise H. Richmond

Society Saturday: Happy Blogiversary to Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society!

Blow out the candle!  On April 29, 2012, Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society's (RCSGS) will celebrate its first anniversary as a member of Geneabloggers. 

Over the past year, RCSGS blog posts have appeared many many times on the GeneaBloggers roll-up for Daily Blog Prompts like Tombstone Tuesday and our events have appeared on the GeneaBloggers Calendar.  The benefits to our Society and members has been tremendous - increased visibility of what our Society has to offer researchers, e.g., publications, and an increased audience for our member's personal family history  including those pesky brickwalls. The comments from blog readers are like hugs from across the blogosphere!

Let's offer a toast to another productive year on GeneaBloggers!  Thank you Thomas MacEntee, creator of GeneaBloggers, for your service to the blogging community and genealogical societies.  By the way readers, Thomas is coming to Sacramento for our next Spring seminar on Saturday, March 16, 2013. 


Note: click on the title of this post for a better view on the Blog itself.
posted by Denise Hibsch Richmond

Follow Friday – Those Who Went Before

"Month One of My Certification Track"

One of the blogs that I follow is Those Who Went Before: Photos, stories and history of the ancestors of Jo Lee Archer Arnspiger. I met Jo at this year's Jamboree and was delight with her genealogical experience and knowledge. Now Jo is beginning the process of acquiring her Genealogy Certificate and you may want to follow her journey by reading http://arnspiger.blogspot.com/.

Way back in February of 2011 I wanted to participate in a Family History Writing Challenge.  Unfortunately, life got in the way of that but now in October of 2011 I am starting my Certification Process.  I sent my Preliminary Application in the first part of September 2011.  I have had a month to think about which of my research projects I want to use in my portfolio, which document I will be using for the transcription portion and I have contacted an individual to be my client guinea pig.  On a pro bono basis I will undertake a research project for her with a specific goal and time limit.  This will be on a subject I have done no previous research on.  I am really looking forward to that challenge.
A special maillist is set up for those of us embarking on this journey, to ask questions and provide whatever support may be needed.  Additionally, a six month plan is provided with a suggested timeline.  Even though candidates are given a full year to complete the process, many seem to have much of the work done before the preliminary application is tendered.  This is true in my case.  I have been researching for over thirty years and have been thinking about Certification for three years or more.  So here I go....and I want to chronicle my journey and share my thoughts, insights, crisis and setbacks for myself and maybe for others thinking about taking this huge step.
Now in the first actual active month of this process, Month One, I will reread the first two chapters of Evidence Explained, review Requirement 1 of the BCG Application which includes the Genealogist's Code and what is suggested for my resume.  I have already taken the "Are You Ready?" test from the BCG website and passed with flying colors.  There are additional articles available in the BCG Skillbuilding area which I will also read. The last task for this month will be to write the resume and add it as the first piece of my portfolio.
I am happy to be back to my blog; excited to be actually STARTING the certification process and curious to see where I will be in eight months.


Posted by Ron Setzer

Blog Alert - Family History Day at the California State Archives

Psst, pass it on!  The Family History Day blog is a happening place these days.  It has the 411 on the speakers and exhibitors attending this annual event.   The event flyer and list of speakers and class topics have now been posted.  Check it out. 

Also, period attire is the dress of the day.  Don yer duds and dresses like your ancestors wore and come on down to the California State Archives on Saturday, October 15, 2011.

posted by Denise Hibsch Richmond